30 years ago, a man called “Lemmy” created something ugly, loud and legendary. That something was MOTÖRHEAD.
In celebration of three decades of one of the most underrated, influential, and downright noisy bands to ever walk the face of the planet, Sanctuary Records presents commemorative, 30th anniversary editions of some of MOTÖRHEAD’s most important and memorable albums, as well as a collection of BBC archive recordings and vintage performances from the 70s and 80s. Overkill, Bomber, Ace Of Spades, Iron Fist, and No Remorse have all been faithfully restored and enhanced for the momentous occasion.
Debuting in 1976 after Ian “Lemmy” Kilmister was unceremoniously ejected from the space-rock band HAWKWIND, MOTÖRHEAD was certainly something “different”. “Different” in a good way, of course. The band invented a musical genre known, appropriately enough, as “speed metal.” Fast, crude, in-your-face and abrasive as hell, there had never been anything else quite like MOTÖRHEAD.
With the release of Overkill in 1979, MOTÖRHEAD introduced the line-up that would create some of the most important hard music albums ever written: Lemmy on bass and grinding vocal duties, “Fast” Eddie Clarke on guitar and “Philthy” Phil Taylor on drums. It seems only fitting that the first album to feature this legendary unit should receive the deluxe edition treatment. Such memorable tracks as “Overkill”, “Stay Clean, “Damage Case,” and “Tear Ya Down” are given a high-profile presentation, while a second disc of bonus tracks, including b-sides and BBC radio performances makes this release worth having.
Bomber, MOTÖRHEAD’s second 1979 release and the album made famous by the unique “bomber” shaped lighting rig that highlighted the accompanying tour, features such awesome songs as “Bomber” and “Stone Dead Forever,” as well as a bonus disc featuring b-sides, alternate versions of album tracks, and the Golden Years EP.
1980’s Ace Of Spades again features fully re-mastered takes of the entire original album, including the seminal title track, perhaps MOTÖRHEAD’s most well-known anthem, as well as multiple alternate versions of many of the album’s standout tracks and BBC radio session outtakes.
Iron Fist, originally released in 1982, features a bonus disc with a full live set performed in 1982 at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto.
No Remorse, a “best-of” collection originally released in 1984, now features bonus tracks “Under The Knife,” “Masterplan,” and two tracks, “No Class” and “Stand By Your Man,” with guest vocals by shock rock icon Wendy O’Williams.
Finally, the BBC Live & In-Session features 2 discs comprising 5 unique BBC recording sessions of MOTÖRHEAD classics recorded between 1978 and 1986.
In 30 years, MOTÖRHEAD has done as much as any ten lesser bands and is still going strong. Such a unique legacy deserves recognition and celebration, and the 30th Anniversary Deluxe Expanded Editions are an appropriate tribute to such a storied career.