A previously unreleased, long-lost recording capturing the very first session of Motörhead‘s seminal “Three Amigos” lineup has surfaced and is set for release, coinciding with the legendary band’s 50th anniversary in 2025. Titled The Manticore Tapes, this historic recording offers a raw glimpse into the band’s formative moments, forty-nine years after it was committed to tape.
In August 1976, just a year after Motörhead‘s initial formation, the iconic trio of Lemmy (bass/vocals), Fast Eddie Clarke (guitar), and Phil ‘Philthy Animal’ Taylor (drums) entered Emerson, Lake & Palmer’s Manticore Studio in Fulham. It was here, while rehearsing and showcasing their new dynamic, that they recorded together for the first time. These tapes, now meticulously restored, capture the burgeoning raw power and high-velocity attack of songs that would feature in their live sets until 1979.
The release of The Manticore Tapes arrives at a poignant time, not only marking five decades since the band’s beginnings but also nearly ten years since the passing of Lemmy, whose larger-than-life persona and unwavering dedication to rock ‘n’ roll have cemented his status as an ultimate icon. This early recording provides a vital new element to Motörhead‘s documented history, especially from a period when their future was far from certain and their struggles were immense.
The 1976 Manticore session was facilitated by Frank Kennington, a former roadie for The Who who briefly managed the then-struggling Motörhead. Kennington booked the band into the Manticore complex, which was housed in a converted ABC cinema and served as prog supergroup Emerson, Lake & Palmer’s headquarters. The recordings were made on Ronnie Lane’s mobile studio, expertly operated by Ron Faucus, who successfully captured the raw essence of the band.
These aging tapes have been carefully restored by longtime Motörhead collaborator Cameron Webb at Maple Studios in California and mastered by Andrew Alekel at Bolskine House in Los Angeles. The result is a significant historical document, bringing a crucial piece of Motörhead’s evolution to public ears for the very first time.
The Manticore Tapes will be available in various formats, including a deluxe expanded bookpack containing a double LP and 7” single, a single LP, CD, and digital release.
The Manticore Tapes track listing:
- “Intro” (Instrumental)
- “Leavin’ Here”
- “V*brator”
- “Help Keep Us on the Road”
- “The Watcher”
- “Motörhead”
- “Witch Doctor” (Instrumental)
- “Iron Horse / Born to Lose” (Instrumental)
- “Leavin’ Here” (Alternate Take)
- “V*brator” (Alternate Take)
- “The Watcher” (Alternate Take)
This release is poised to be a significant event for Motörhead connoisseurs and fans of rock history, offering an unvarnished listen to the birth of a legend.
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