Motörhead - Bomber (1979) [Japanese Limited Release + Sanctuary DCD Deluxe Edition]

Bomber was the third album to be released by England's metal legends Motorhead. Appearing in 1979, Bomber came out prior to Ace Of Spades, the album (and song) that the band is best known for. Often overlooked, aside from the title track, Bomber features a slew of classic Motor-boogie tracks - "Dead Men Tell No Tales", "Poison", "Stone Dead Forever", and "All The Aces" immediately come to mind. From Lemmy's signature growl, to Philly Taylor's foot tappin' metal drum beats, to Eddie Clarke's well placed solos, this is an album to behold.
Now, the original album has been given the expanded edition treatment and comes with a second disc complete with 10 additional tracks. Included are alternate versions of "Stone Dead Forever" (with Eddie on vocals), "Sharpshooter", "Bomber", and "Step Down". Additionally "Over The Top" (B-side of "Bomber" single) and songs from 1980's live EP, The Golden Years, appear as well. All very cool and just another reason to pick this classic up.

Recorded in late summer 1979 and released by the end of the year, Bomber quickly followed up Overkill, Motörhead's landmark breakthrough album from earlier in the year. Bomber bears a lot in common with its fan-favorite predecessor. Also like Overkill, Bomber features the production grace of Jimmy Miller, the man responsible for the Rolling Stones' late-'60s/early-'70s albums, including such masterpieces as Beggars Banquet, Sticky Fingers, and Exile on Main St. And the music here on Bomber explodes on song after song, thanks to the crazed performances of the aforementioned bandmembers as well as the well-overdriven, ear-rattling production perfection of Miller. Actually, there's only one marked difference between Overkill and Bomber that's worth noting: the songs. There are a couple killers here, namely "Dead Men Tell No Tales", "Stone Dead Forever", and "Bomber", but overall, the songs of Bomber aren't as strong as those of Overkill were. Granted, this is somewhat of a moot point to raise, as Bomber is still a top-shelf Motörhead album, one of their all-time best, without question. Bomber kicks ass, in any event, and its best moments are as superlative as any Motörhead would ever record. The band was really on fire during this point in time and could seemingly do no wrong.

~ Jason Birchmeier, all media guide

Last japanese press, Tracklist:

01. Dead Men Tell No Tales
02. Lawman
03. Sweet Revenge
04. Sharpshooter
05. Poison
06. Stone Dead Forever
07. All The Aces
08. Step Down
09. Talking Head
10. Bomber
11. Over The Top [B-Side of "Bomber" single] #
12. Stone Dead Forever [alternative version] #
13. Sharpshooter [alternative version] #
14. Bomber [alternative version] #
15. Step Down [alternative version] #
16. Leaving Here [from "The Golden Years" EP, live] #
17. Stone Dead Forever [from "The Golden Years" EP, live] #
18. Dead Men Tell No Tales [from "The Golden Years" EP, live] #
19. Too Late, Too Late [from "The Golden Years" EP, live] #
20. Step Down [live, lead vocals by Eddie] #

# - bonus tracks

all songs written by Motorhead except "16" by Lamont Dozier/Brian Holland/Edward Holland
Original Recording Produced by Jimmy Miller. Engineered by Trevor Hallesy
Originally Recorded July 7 – August 31, 1979 at Roundhouse Studios and Olympic Studios, UK

Huge thanks to Igor191965

• Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister - vocals, bass
• "Fast" Eddie Clark – guitar, lead vocals on "Step Down"
• Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor - drums

Original Release Date: October 27, 1979
Release Date: March 26, 2008 (July 2007)
Format: K2 24-bit Mastering
Cardboard sleeve, limited edition
Label: BMG Japan
Catalog No.: BVCM-37961


A special double CD reissue of Bomber was released in June 2005 to coincide with Motörhead's 30th anniversary tour. The bonus tracks (bar one) on the second CD, however, have all previously been available.

Sanctuary Deluxe Edition, Disc 1:

01. Dead Men Tell No Tales
02. Lawman
03. Sweet Revenge
04. Sharpshooter
05. Poison
06. Stone Dead Forever
07. All The Aces
08. Step Down
09. Talking Head
10. Bomber

Sanctuary Deluxe Edition, Disc 2:

11. Over The Top [B-Side of "Bomber" single]
12. Stone Dead Forever [alternative version]
13. Sharpshooter [alternative version]
14. Bomber [alternative version]
15. Step Down [alternative version]
16. Leaving Here [from "The Golden Years" EP, live]
17. Stone Dead Forever [from "The Golden Years" EP, live]
18. Dead Men Tell No Tales [from "The Golden Years" EP, live]
19. Too Late, Too Late [from "The Golden Years" EP, live]
20. Step Down [live, lead vocals by Eddie]

all songs written by Motorhead except "16" by Lamont Dozier/Brian Holland/Edward Holland
Original Recording Produced by Jimmy Miller. Engineered by Trevor Hallesy
Originally Recorded July 7 – August 31, 1979 at Roundhouse Studios and Olympic Studios, UK
Thanks to Metalstorm

Release Date: September 27, 2005
Format: Original Recording Remastered
30th Anniversary Deluxe Expanded Edition
Label: Sanctuary Records
Catalog No.: SMEDD220