Motörhead is set to release "The Manticore Tapes", their Lost 1976 Album

The Manticore Tapes Capture the Raw Power of the Iconic “Three Amigos” Lineup

In a thrilling announcement for Motörhead fans, a long lost recording from 1976, dubbed The Manticore Tapes, is slated for release on June 27, 2025, coinciding with the band’s 50th anniversary. This historic find showcases the first ever studio session of the legendary “Three Amigos” lineup—Lemmy Kilmister on bass and vocals, “Fast” Eddie Clarke on guitar, and Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor on drums. Recorded at Emerson, Lake & Palmer’s iconic Manticore Studio in Fulham, London, these 11 unreleased tracks capture the raw, unpolished energy of a band on the cusp of defining heavy metal.

The tapes, recorded using Ronnie Lane’s mobile studio and engineered by Ron Faucus, were thought to be lost for nearly five decades. Painstakingly restored by longtime Motörhead collaborator Cameron Webb at Maple Studios in California and mastered by Andrew Alekel at Bolskine House in Los Angeles, The Manticore Tapes offer a glimpse into the band’s formative years. The collection includes early versions of songs like “Motörhead,” “Vibrator,” and “The Watcher,” alongside alternate takes and instrumentals such as “Iron Horse / Born to Lose” and a cover of “Leavin’ Here.” These tracks, many of which appeared on Motörhead’s 1977 self-titled debut and 1979’s On Parole, reveal the band’s evolution from their raw beginnings to their signature hard rock sound.

Available in multiple formats, including a deluxe book pack with a double LP, a 7” single, and a live Blitzkrieg on Birmingham ‘77 disc, plus a single LP, CD, and digital versions, this release is a must have for fans and music historians alike. A 24-page booklet with liner notes by Kris Needs adds depth to the package, while a bonus 7” featuring two unreleased live tracks from Barbarella’s Birmingham in 1977 sweetens the deal. The lead single, “Motörhead,” is already streaming, offering a taste of the trio’s blistering chemistry. This release not only celebrates Motörhead’s legacy but also immortalizes a pivotal moment when Lemmy, Clarke, and Taylor laid the foundation for their groundbreaking career.