Motörhead: Bomber (Blue/Black Vinyl, 50th Anniversary, Half-Speed Master)

THIS IS A PRE-ORDER ITEM EXPECTED TO SHIP ON OR NEAR FEB 28

Just months after unleashing Overkill on the world, Motörhead struck again with Bomber, an album that proved they had no intention of slowing down. Released in late 1979, Bomber continued the band’s high-octane assault with another dose of raw, unfiltered rock and roll. If Overkill was the sound of a freight train derailing at full speed, Bomber was a warplane roaring overhead, dropping nothing but pure, undiluted Motörhead fury.

Right from the start, Dead Men Tell No Tales sets the tone—fast, gritty, and straight to the point. The song, a not-so-subtle attack on drug abuse, showcases Lemmy’s no-nonsense songwriting, backed by Fast Eddie Clarke’s scorching guitar work and Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor’s relentless drumming. It’s clear Motörhead had refined their sound even further, tightening their attack while losing none of their intensity.

Lawman and Sweet Revenge show the band experimenting slightly with different grooves, proving they weren’t just about sheer speed—they had a deep understanding of swaggering, blues-based heaviness. Meanwhile, Sharpshooter and Poisonkeep the momentum going with their relentless, driving riffs and Lemmy’s signature gravel-throated sneer.

Then there’s the title track, Bomber—one of the band’s most iconic songs. From the moment that menacing riff kicks in, you know you’re in for something special. It’s a war anthem, an unstoppable machine of a track that encapsulates everything great about Motörhead: speed, aggression, and an attitude that sneers in the face of anything resembling authority. It’s no surprise the song became a live staple, inspiring the legendary bomber-shaped lighting rig that became a staple of their stage show.

Though Bomber followed closely on the heels of Overkill, it has a slightly different feel—less of a relentless pummeling and more of a streetwise, hard-hitting rock album. The production, handled once again by Jimmy Miller, is a bit cleaner than Overkill, allowing the band’s raw energy to shine through without losing its edge.

While it may not hit with quite the same revolutionary force as Overkill, Bomber is still an undeniable classic. It’s fast, loud, and unapologetic, a testament to Motörhead’s ability to churn out killer rock and roll at a blistering pace. If Overkillwas a warning shot, Bomber was a full-scale attack—proof that Motörhead wasn’t just a flash in the pan, but a force that would go on to define heavy music for generations.

BY RUE MORGUE RECORDS