Motörhead release ‘The Manticore Tapes,’ 1976 recordings to celebrate 50th anniversary

Motörhead celebrated its 50th anniversary this June, with the release of a long-lost studio recording from 1976, The Manticore Tapes.

Known as the “Three Amigos” era of Motörhead, Lemmy (bass/vocals), Fast Eddie Clarke (guitar) and Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor (drums), the trio set up at Emerson, Lake & Palmer’s legendary Manticore Studio in Fulham to rehearse and showcase the new lineup.

Then, they recorded together for the very first time and 49 years later, they dusted off the tracks to create the band’s 50th anniversary album.

The new album, The Manticore Tapes, was released on June 27.

The group’s struggles and successes in the first four of their 50 years are well documented, according to a release, and are described as “the almost accidental manifestation of this album – and the circumstances under which it was recorded,” showcasing a new side to the group.