In 1979 Motörhead were moving faster than almost any band in rock music. Earlier that same year, they released Overkill, a record that pushed their reputation as one of the loudest and fastest bands in Britain. Most groups would have taken a break after an album and tour, but Motörhead were not built like most groups. By October of the same year they were already releasing their next record, Bomber.
The band consisted of bassist and vocalist Lemmy Kilmister, guitarist Fast Eddie Clarke, and drummer Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor. This trio is often referred to as the classic Motörhead lineup, and was responsible for some of the bands most iconic albums.
The album arrived at a strange moment for the band. They’d spent years building a reputation as a relentless touring group, but they were now attracting serious attention from both the heavy metal scene and the punk crowd. Bomber sits right in the middle of that period where Motörhead were sharpening the sound that would explode a year later with Ace of Spades. The record mixes speed, aggression, blues influences and war imagery, while also capturing the chaos that surrounded the band during those years.
The Story Behind Bomber
When Motörhead released Bomber in October 1979, they had already put out another album earlier that same year: Overkill. That alone tells you something about the band at the time. They were touring constantly and writing songs faster than most bands could record them.
The classic lineup was in place:
- Lemmy Kilmister – bass and vocals
- Fast Eddie Clarke – guitar
- Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor – drums
Those three musicians made the most famous Motörhead records.
The album was recorded between July and August 1979 in London at Roundhouse and Olympic Studios with producer Jimmy Miller, who had previously worked with The Rolling Stones.
But the recording sessions weren’t smooth. Miller was struggling badly with heroin addiction during the sessions and at one point disappeared entirely, later found asleep in his car. The chaos around those sessions actually influenced the album itself — especially the opening track.
Bomber was unusual because Motörhead didn’t get to test most of the songs live before recording them, which Lemmy later said made the album feel different compared with their other records.
Despite all that, the album reached number 12 on the UK Albums Chart, which was the band’s biggest success at the time.
The Album Cover
The cover artwork was created by illustrator Adrian Chesterman. Instead of just showing the band or their mascot, the image depicts Lemmy, Clarke, and Taylor sitting in the gunner positions of a World War II bomber aircraft flying during the Blitz. You can see the band members’ faces sticking out of the turrets while their mascot Snaggletooth is painted on the side of the plane.
The cover became so famous that Motörhead actually built a 40-foot bomber aircraft lighting rig for the tour supporting the album. The huge metal plane hung over the stage and moved during the show — something that almost no band had attempted before. For fans seeing the band live in 1979, the moment the plane started moving above the stage during the title track was unforgettable.
Here are the songs track by track;
Dead Men Tell No Tales
The album opens with “Dead Men Tell No Tales,” a song that came out of the chaotic atmosphere surrounding the recording sessions. Lemmy wrote the track as a reaction to heroin addiction after witnessing drug problems around him during the album’s production. The title itself comes from an old pirate saying suggesting that someone who is dead cannot reveal secrets. The song’s heavy groove and sharp guitar riff establish the tone of the album immediately, with Phil Taylor’s drumming driving the track forward while Eddie Clarke’s guitar cuts through the mix.
Lawman
“Lawman” reflects the rebellious attitude that connected Motörhead with the punk scene in Britain during the late 1970s. The lyrics attack authority and question the power held by police and institutions. Songs like this helped Motörhead attract punk fans as well as metal fans, since the attitude was just as aggressive as the music itself. The track moves at a steady pace compared with the faster songs on the record, allowing the riff to dominate the structure.
Sweet Revenge
“Sweet Revenge” returns to a faster tempo and focuses on themes of payback and retaliation. Lemmy often wrote lyrics about conflict, danger and survival, and the song follows that tradition. The track highlights the chemistry between Clarke and Taylor, with sharp guitar riffs and energetic drumming pushing the song forward. Even though the song remains straightforward musically, the speed and raw delivery capture the band’s aggressive style.
Sharpshooter
Military imagery becomes more obvious with “Sharpshooter,” which describes the perspective of a sniper preparing for battle. War themes appear frequently throughout Motörhead’s music, often used to represent intensity or danger rather than to glorify war itself. The track mixes a steady rhythm with bursts of speed during the chorus, while Clarke’s guitar solos add melodic moments between the heavier riffs.
Poison
“Poison” introduces a darker and more personal theme. Lemmy wrote the song partly about his father leaving when he was young, turning the idea of poison into a metaphor for emotional damage caused by abandonment. The slower pace compared with earlier tracks gives the song a heavier feel. Phil Taylor’s drumming emphasises the tension while the guitar lines create a gloomy atmosphere that fits the lyrics.
Stone Dead Forever
“Stone Dead Forever” became one of the most recognised songs from the album. The lyrics describe the wild lifestyle of touring musicians, including endless travel, drinking and living without limits. Lemmy wrote many songs based on real experiences from life on the road, and this track captures that chaotic environment perfectly. The powerful guitar riff and driving rhythm made it a favourite during Motörhead’s live performances for decades.
All the Aces
“All the Aces” uses gambling imagery to describe success and risk within the music industry. Lemmy compares surviving the rock and roll world to playing a high-stakes game where only a few people win. The fast tempo and simple structure show the influence of punk rock that had begun spreading across Britain in the late 1970s. The song’s speed and energy made it another strong live track.
Step Down
“Step Down” stands out because Fast Eddie Clarke performs the lead vocals, something that rarely happened on Motörhead records. Clarke originally came from a blues rock background, and that influence appears strongly in the song’s groove and guitar work. The track slows the pace slightly and introduces a heavier blues feel that separates it from the more aggressive songs surrounding it.
Talking Head
“Talking Head” criticises television personalities and public figures who speak constantly without saying anything meaningful. Lemmy had little patience for media figures or politicians, and the lyrics reflect that frustration. Musically the track combines a steady rhythm with aggressive guitar work and driving bass lines, maintaining the raw energy that runs throughout the album.
Bomber
The album closes with the title track “Bomber,” which became one of Motörhead’s most famous songs. The lyrics were inspired by the novel Bomber written by Len Deighton, a book about a Royal Air Force bombing mission during World War II. The track was released as a single and quickly became a favourite among fans.
The song also inspired the stage design used during the Bomber Tour. During those concerts the band performed beneath a huge bomber aircraft lighting rig suspended above the stage. The structure weighed several tons and moved during the show, creating one of the most memorable stage setups used by a rock band at the time.
Final Thoughts
Bomber sits in a fascinating place within Motörhead’s history. It followed the raw power of Overkill and arrived just before the band would reach worldwide attention with Ace of Spades. The album captures a moment where the group were still experimenting with their sound while maintaining the speed and aggression that defined them.
The record mixes punk energy, heavy metal riffs, blues influences and wartime imagery while still sounding unmistakably like Motörhead. It may not always receive the same attention as the albums that surround it in their discography, but it remains an important step in the development of the band’s classic sound.
Rating: 8.5 / 10
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