Bomber

Bomber is the third studio album by the English rock band Motorhead, released on 12 October 1979, under the label Bronze Records. The album followed their 1979 release “Overkill”.

Motorhead, formed four years prior to Bomber’s release, had already gained a strong following in both punk and heavy metal circles. Prior to Bomber, the band had released their eponymous debut album in 1977, but it was with Overkill in 1979 that they truly began to gain momentum. The success of the title track, which reached the UK Top 40, propelled them into the studio with producer Jimmy Miller to record Bomber. However, unlike Overkill, the band didn’t have the chance to refine the songs through live performances. Despite this, Bomber reached No. 12 on the UK albums chart, marking their strongest showing up to that point.

Recording sessions for Bomber were not without their challenges. Producer Jimmy Miller was battling heroin addiction during the recording, leading to delays and disruptions. Nonetheless, the album featured some notable tracks, including “Dead Men Tell No Tales”, the band’s first anti-heroin song. Bomber also showcased Lemmy’s intense lyrical style, touching on themes such as law enforcement, personal struggles, and societal issues.

The album cover, illustrated by Adrian Chesterman, depicted the band members inside a Heinkel 111 bomber. The artwork, capturing the band’s gritty aesthetic, became iconic, inspiring the infamous Bomber lighting rig used during their subsequent tour.

The single “Bomber”, released on 1 December 1979, quickly gained popularity, with its initial pressing on blue vinyl selling out. The album itself was initially pressed on blue vinyl as well. The subsequent Bomber Tour featured a 40-foot aluminium-tube “bomber” lighting rig, adding to the album’s visual impact.

Critically, Bomber received positive reviews, with tracks like “Dead Men Tell No Tales”, “Stone Dead Forever”, and the title track being highlighted as standout metal songs. Despite some critics noting a slight dip in comparison to Overkill, Bomber remains regarded as one of Motorhead’s top albums.

In June 2005, a special double CD reissue of the album was released to coincide with Motorhead’s 30th anniversary tour, featuring bonus tracks from live performances. The album also received recognition in 2005, being ranked number 397 in Rock Hard magazine’s book of The 500 Greatest Rock & Metal Albums of All Time.