Unleashed After Nearly 50 Years: Motörhead’s Lost Album The Manticore Tapes Set for June 27 Release

In a discovery that has stunned the rock and metal community, a long-lost Motörhead album from 1976—The Manticore Tapes—is set for release on June 27th. Featuring the band’s classic lineup of Lemmy Kilmister, “Fast” Eddie Clarke, and Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor, this previously unheard collection of recordings promises to transport fans back to the thunderous early days of one of metal’s most iconic bands.

The existence of The Manticore Tapes had been little more than a rumor among hardcore Motörhead collectors and archivists. Long thought to be either lost or destroyed, the tapes were recently recovered in a mislabeled box from the band’s original management archive. The recordings have since been restored, remastered, and prepared for official release.

The album reportedly consists of ten tracks, including five previously unheard originals, two early versions of songs that would later appear on Motörhead (1977), and three high-octane covers that showcase the band’s punk-infused edge. It captures Motörhead in their rawest, hungriest form—before fame, before polish, and before compromise.

Industry insiders who’ve previewed the record describe it as “an explosion of distortion, attitude, and energy,” reflecting the fierce chemistry between Lemmy’s thunderous bass and vocals, Clarke’s gritty, blues-soaked guitar, and Taylor’s unhinged, locomotive drumming. This is Motörhead as they were in the beginning—fast, filthy, and feral.

The album title, The Manticore Tapes, refers to the mysterious name scrawled on the original reel cases. Whether the band meant it seriously or jokingly remains unknown—classic Lemmy ambiguity. What’s clear, however, is that the sound contained within is nothing short of vintage Motörhead.

Motörhead fans will note that 1976 was a transitional year for the band. After forming in 1975, they were still struggling to find a record label, playing small gigs around London and living hand to mouth. These recordings, likely done in one or two takes in a grimy rehearsal studio, are a window into that gritty past.

Included on the album is a ferocious early version of “Iron Horse / Born to Lose,” a fan favorite that later appeared on their debut LP. This version, however, features a slower, sludgier tempo and a nastier vocal performance—perhaps closer to Lemmy’s original vision for the song.

Another highlight is “Trench Warfare,” a never-before-heard track that reportedly features Clarke’s most blistering solo of the era and one of Lemmy’s most politically charged lyrics. It’s a hidden gem that could’ve easily become a classic had it been released in its time.

Among the cover songs is a scalding take on The Velvet Underground’s “White Light/White Heat,” proving that Motörhead’s influences extended far beyond metal and into the world of proto-punk and experimental rock. Lemmy’s snarling delivery reinvents the song entirely.

Fans of Phil Taylor will be thrilled by the album’s production, which leaves his drums roaring and uncompressed. One track, “Manticore Stomp,” features an extended drum solo that pays tribute to Taylor’s chaotic but precise style—proof that he was far more than just a madman behind the kit.

The remastering process was overseen by longtime Motörhead producer Cameron Webb, who worked closely with surviving members of the Motörhead camp and Lemmy’s estate to ensure the audio stayed true to the band’s early sound. Webb called the project “a labor of love and a resurrection.”

Physical editions of the album will be released on vinyl, CD, and cassette, with deluxe bundles including rare photos, replica tour flyers, and handwritten lyrics by Lemmy. A limited-edition red vinyl pressing titled The Beast’s Blood Edition has already sold out on pre-order.

The release of The Manticore Tapes also includes a short companion documentary—available on YouTube and select streaming platforms—detailing how the tapes were found, restored, and authenticated. Interviews with early roadies, producers, and Clarke’s family add depth to the story.

Lemmy’s longtime friend and Motörhead manager Todd Singerman released a statement calling the discovery “a gift from beyond the grave.” He added, “Lemmy would’ve been proud to know his voice from 1976 can still shake the walls in 2025.”

The timing of the release is also poignant. With renewed interest in Lemmy thanks to Netflix’s upcoming documentary “Born to Lose, Lived to Win”, The Manticore Tapes serves as the perfect sonic companion to understanding the man behind the myth.

For younger fans who discovered Motörhead posthumously, this album offers an unprecedented glimpse into the band’s primal origins. For longtime followers, it’s an electrifying return to the fire-and-smoke sound that defined their earliest years.

Critics and rock historians are already labeling The Manticore Tapes as one of the most significant archival rock releases in recent memory—not merely for its historical value, but for its musical quality. It’s raw, raucous, and unmistakably Motörhead.

With the release date set for June 27th, anticipation is building across the global rock and metal community. Whether you’re a lifelong Motörheadbanger or new to the noise, this is one release you won’t want to miss.

In the words of Lemmy himself: “We are Motörhead, and we play rock and roll.” The Manticore Tapes is a time capsule from the era when that mission was just beginning—and now, the roar lives again.