Motörhead's Bomber album was defined by a legendary producer's struggle and a massive plane
In short: Released in 1979, Motörhead's third studio album, Bomber, remains a landmark in heavy metal history. Despite being recorded under the shadow of producer Jimmy Miller's heroin addiction and without the benefit of road-testing the songs, the album peaked at No. 12 on the UK charts and birthed an iconic stage spectacle.
Following the success of their 1979 album Overkill, Motörhead returned to the studio with producer Jimmy Miller. Miller, who had previously worked on acclaimed Rolling Stones records, was struggling with a severe heroin addiction during the sessions. His erratic behavior, including disappearing from the studio, stood in stark contrast to the band's work ethic. This environment influenced the album's content, notably the anti-heroin track 'Dead Men Tell No Tales'. Lemmy later described the record as a transitional piece, noting that the band lacked the opportunity to refine the songs live before recording, which he felt resulted in a less 'slick' sound compared to their previous work.
The album's striking cover art, created by Adrian Chesterman, featured the band members as gunners in a Heinkel 111 bomber. Lemmy, fascinated by military regalia, insisted on a German aircraft, famously remarking that 'the bad guys make all the best shit.' To capture the image, Chesterman used a model kit and passport-sized photos of the band, painting them into the cockpit. The visual impact was so profound that the band commissioned a 40-foot aluminium-tube replica of the plane for their tour. This massive lighting rig, which could move in multiple directions, became a signature element of their live performances.
Despite internal tensions—including guitarist Eddie Clarke's frustration over his lack of limelight, which led to him singing lead on 'Step Down'—the album is widely regarded as a top-shelf entry in the band's catalog. Critics have praised tracks like 'Stone Dead Forever' and the title track as essential metal songs. While some, including Clarke, later compared it unfavorably to the band's other work, the album solidified Motörhead's reputation as a trio capable of producing sound as heavy as any larger ensemble. In 2005, it was recognized by Rock Hard magazine as one of the 500 greatest rock and metal albums of all time.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Bomber (album)
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