Motörhead Unleashes 'The Manticore Tapes'
- Jul 9
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 28
On June 27, 2025, legendary rock band Motörhead releases The Manticore Tapes, an explosive archival studio album that takes fans straight back to the raw roots of heavy metal. This isn't just another reissue, it's a momentous drop that celebrates 50 years of Motörhead's thunderous legacy and gives us a glimpse into the earliest studio sessions from the band's iconic 1976 lineup.
The Birth of the Three Amigos
Back in August 1976, Lemmy Kilmister, guitarist "Fast" Eddie Clarke, and drummer Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor stepped into Manticore Studios in Fulham, London for their first-ever recording session together. With Ronnie Lane's mobile studio parked outside, they captured eleven blistering tracks of pure, unfiltered Motorhead energy. These takes, buried for decades, have been unearthed, restored, and remastered for this powerful release.
What’s Inside the Tapes?
The Manticore Tapes features raw takes of early classics like "Leavin' Here," "The Watcher," and of course, their self-titled anthem "Motörhead." Instrumentals like "Witch Doctor" and "Iron Horse / Born to Lose" showcase the band’s primal force, while alternate takes give fans an insider’s view of how these tracks evolved. The sound is gritty, alive, and absolutely LOUD. Just how Lemmy would’ve wanted it.
50 Years of Mayhem
The release is part of a yearlong celebration marking 50 years since Motörhead first roared onto the scene. Official statements call it "a loud and defiant statement" from a band clawing their way into heavy metal history. For longtime fans, it’s a tribute to Lemmy's legacy. For new listeners, it’s a baptism into the raw intensity that made Motörhead legends.
Why It Matters
Lemmy passed in 2015, but his spirit lives on in every riff, roar, and rhythm of The Manticore Tapes. This album is more than a historical artifact, it’s a reminder of what rock and roll is meant to be: no rules, no polish, just pure power.
If you've ever wanted to hear the moment Motörhead found its soul, this is it.
Keep Riffing.
