In August 1976, Motörhead’s iconic ‘three amigos’ line-up—Lemmy (bass/vocals), Fast Eddie Clarke (guitar), and Phil ‘Philthy Animal’ Taylor—gathered at Emerson, Lake & Palmer’s legendary Manticore Studio in Fulham to rehearse and, for the first time, record together.
Take a look inside!
Nearly five decades later, the long-lost “Manticore tape” has been unearthed, restored, and is now set for release as The Manticore Tapes on 27th June to celebrate the band’s 50th anniversary.
This never-before-heard album captures the raw beginnings of the classic Motörhead sound, making its discovery a major event for fans. Watch the video for “Motörhead” and click here to preorder with exclusive merch bundles!
Check out the new video for ‘Leavin’ Here’, the second single from The Manticore Tapes! Another previously unheard track from the first ever studio recordings of the three amigos line-up!
Calling all vinyl collectors! There’s an ultra-limited edition picture disc of The Manticore Tapes exclusively available from the official Motörhead store. Grab yours now before they’re all gone here!
Available on a classic black 1LP, CD and as a deluxe expanded 2LP bookpack, all formats include additional alternate takes and instrumentals for a unique insight into the birth of this legendary band.
Additionally the deluxe bookpack comes with an extra bonus LP – the classic bonus Live: Blitzkrieg on Birmingham ‘77 as well as a bonus 7” featuring two previously unreleased tracks live at Barbarellas Birmingham in 1977.
There’s also a 24 page booklet with liner notes from long-time collaborator Kris Needs.
Sales charts (published July 2025)
This deluxe 24 page bookpack includes:
– THE MANTICORE TAPES. THE RECENTLY DISCOVERED, FIRST EVER RECORDINGS OF THE THREE AMIGOS –LINEUP OF MOTÖRHEAD FROM 1976.
– BLITZKREIG ON BIRMINGHAM ’77 LIVE LP.
– BARBARELLA’S BIRMINGHAM ’77 PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED LIVE SINGLE.
– THE STORY OF THE MANTICORE TAPES, TOLD THROUGH PREVIOUSLY UNPUBLISHED AND NEW INTERVIEWS WITH THE PEOPLE THAT WERE THERE AT THE TIME.
Release date: June 27th, 2025
Tracklist
LP1
1 INTRO (INSTRUMENTAL)
2 LEAVIN’ HERE
3 VIBRATOR
4 HELP KEEP US ON THE ROAD
5 THE WATCHER
6 MOTÖRHEAD
7 WITCH DOCTOR (INSTRUMENTAL)
8 IRON HORSE / BORN TO LOSE (INSTRUMENTAL)
9 LEAVIN’ HERE (ALTERNATE TAKE)
10 VIBRATOR (ALTERNATE TAKE)
11 THE WATCHER (ALTERNATE TAKE)
LP2 — Live: Blitzkreig on Birmingham ’77
1 MOTÖRHEAD
2 VIBRATOR
3 KEEP US ON THE ROAD
4 THE WATCHER
5 IRON HORSE
6 LEAVIN’ HERE
7 ON PAROLE
8 I’M YOUR WITCH DOCTOR
9 TRAIN KEPT A-ROLLIN’
10 CITY KIDS
11 WHITE LINE FEVER
7″ — Live at Barbarella’s Birmingham ’77
1 MOTÖRHEAD
2 KEEP US ON THE ROAD
