MOTORHEAD - No Sleep Til' Hammersmith 12" Vinyl LP Album

- 1981 German Release

   "No Sleep 'til Hammersmith" was Motörhead's first live album. The recordings were almost exclusively from three shows: (Leeds, March 28, 1981 and Newcastle March 29 and March 30, 1981). This web page has photos of album covers, inner sleeves, record labels together with production details, musicians and track-listing.

 

Album Front Cover Photo of MOTORHEAD - No Sleep Til' Hammersmith British Heavy Metal

No Sleep 'til Hammersmith: Motörhead's Live Maelstrom Captured on Vinyl
Album Description:

In the tumultuous year of 1981, amidst strikes, riots, and a palpable sense of social unrest, Motörhead unleashed their sonic fury upon the world with "No Sleep 'til Hammersmith", a live album that captured the raw, unadulterated energy of their legendary concerts. This wasn't just another live recording; it was a declaration of war, a testament to the band's unwavering commitment to their signature brand of high-octane rock and roll.

Recorded during their "Short, Sharp, Pain in the Neck" tour, the album featured performances from three iconic venues: Leeds Queens Hall, Newcastle City Hall, and, of course, the Hammersmith Odeon in London. The production team, led by Vic Maile, known for his work with artists like Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, and The Kinks, faced the daunting task of capturing the band's live intensity on tape. Maile's approach was simple: keep it raw, keep it real, and let Motörhead's sonic assault speak for itself.

"No Sleep 'til Hammersmith" wasn't a studio-polished affair; it was a visceral, in-your-face experience. From the opening chords of "Ace of Spades" to the final notes of "Motörhead," the album was a relentless onslaught of speed, aggression, and unapologetic rebellion. Lemmy's gravelly vocals snarled over a maelstrom of distorted guitars and thunderous drums, creating a sonic landscape that was both exhilarating and terrifying.

The album's tracklist was a carefully curated selection of Motörhead's most iconic songs, spanning their entire career up to that point. From the breakneck pace of "Overkill" to the anthemic "Bomber," each song was a testament to the band's enduring power and influence. It was a reminder that Motörhead wasn't just a band; they were a force of nature.

Despite its undeniable power, "No Sleep 'til Hammersmith" wasn't without its controversies. Some critics argued that the album's sound was too raw, too unpolished, while others lamented the absence of certain fan favorites. There were also concerns about the album's sequencing, with some feeling that it lacked a cohesive flow. However, these criticisms paled in comparison to the album's sheer sonic force.

Essential Album Information For: MOTORHEAD - No Sleep Til' Hammersmith British Heavy Metal

Music Genre:

British Heavy Metal, Hard Rock, NWOBHM

Label & Catalognr:

Bronze 203 801 (203801)

Media Format:

Record Format: 12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram  

Year & Country:

1981 Germany

MOTORHEAD - No Sleep Til' Hammersmith British Heavy Metal Production & Recording Information

Album Packaging

The original custom inner sleeve contains photos of Motorhead on stage

Producers:

Vic Maile - Producer

  • Vic Maile – Producer, Sound Engineer Vic Maile was the guy behind the desk when raw hard rock needed to sound huge without losing teeth. I know him best from his 1970s and early-80s work with Motörhead, UFO, Jimi Hendrix (posthumous releases), Dr. Feelgood and The Pink Fairies. Loud, direct, zero polish — pure Vic Maile.

  • Musicians on: MOTORHEAD - No Sleep Til' Hammersmith British Heavy Metal

    Musicians:

    Lemmy - bass, lead vocals

    "Fast" Eddie Clarke - guitar, backing vocals

     ("Fast" Eddie Clarke was a British guitar player and music producer, better known for the period he performed with Motorhead from 1976 until 1982 and as producer of several Tank records.)

    Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor - drums

    Track-listing of: MOTORHEAD - No Sleep Til' Hammersmith British Heavy Metal

    Tracklisting:
    1. Ace of Spades 3:01
    2. Stay Clean 2:50
    3. Metropolis 3:31
    4. The Hammer 3:05
    5. Iron Horse/Born to Lose (Taylor, Mick Brown, Guy Lawrence) 3:58
    6. No Class 2:34 (End of Side 1 of original vinyl)
    7. Overkill 5:13
    8. (We Are) The Road Crew 3:31
    9. Capricorn 4:40
    10. Bomber 3:24
    11. Motorhead (Lemmy) 4:47

    Front Cover Photo Of MOTORHEAD - No Sleep Til' Hammersmith British Heavy Metal
    Front Cover Photo Of MOTORHEAD - No Sleep Til' Hammersmith British Heavy Metal

     

    Note: The images on this page are photos of the actual album. Slight differences in color may exist due to the use of the camera's flash. Images can be zoomed in/out ( eg pinch with your fingers on a tablet or smartphone )

    Photo One Of The Original Custom Inner Sleeve MOTORHEAD - No Sleep Til' Hammersmith British Heavy Metal
    Photo One Of The Original Custom Inner Sleeve MOTORHEAD - No Sleep Til' Hammersmith British Heavy Metal

    Recorded Live in England surrounded by Maniacs 1981 except Iron Horse 1980

    Close up of Side One MOTORHEAD - No Sleep Til' Hammersmith British Heavy Metal record's label
    Close up of Side One MOTORHEAD - No Sleep Til' Hammersmith British Heavy Metal

    RONZE 203 801 LC 2313 Record Label Details: GEMA ℗ 1981 Bronze Records Ltd


    MOTÖRHEAD's 80s Discography: A Thunderous Soundtrack of Heavy Metal and Hard Rock Classics

    MOTORHEAD - Ace Of Spades

    Thumbnail of MOTORHEAD - Ace Of Spades 12" Vinyl LP album front cover

    Bronze 202 876 (202876) , 1980 , Western-Germany

    Motörhead's 1980 album "Ace of Spades" is not just a record; it's a declaration of war. With its title track serving as the ultimate battle cry, this album cemented the band's reputation as the loudest, fastest, and most uncompromising force in rock and roll history.

    Ace Of Spades 12" Vinyl LP

    MOTORHEAD - Beer Drinkers

    Thumbnail of MOTORHEAD - Beer Drinkers 12" Vinyl LP album front cover

    MILAN A 120 174 , 1982 , France

    Released under the label Milan, with the catalog number A 120 174, "Beer Drinkers" captures Motorhead's early years and showcases their evolution as a band. The album features a collection of tracks from their 12" EP of the same name, along with other notable songs from their early discography.

    Beer Drinkers 12" Vinyl LP

    MOTORHEAD - Iron Fist

    Thumbnail of MOTORHEAD - Iron Fist 12" Vinyl LP album front cover

    Bronze 893.048 , 1982 , France

    'Iron Fist' wasn't a departure from Motorhead's established sound; rather, it was a refinement, a distillation of their essence. The album's opener, the title track, is a prime example, a breakneck-paced assault on the senses, Lemmy's gravelly vocals snarling over a maelstrom of distorted guitars

    Iron Fist 12" Vinyl LP

    MOTORHEAD - No Remorse

    Thumbnail of MOTORHEAD - No Remorse 12" Vinyl LP album front cover

    Bronze BRSP 6 , 1984 , Canada

    In the heart of the grim, Orwellian year of 1984, amidst Cold War tensions and the looming threat of nuclear annihilation, Motörhead unleashed their aptly titled compilation album, "No Remorse". It was a defiant roar in the face of bleakness, a collection of their most ferocious tracks, both old and new

    No Remorse 12" Vinyl LP

    MOTORHEAD - No Sleep Til' Hammersmith

    Thumbnail of MOTORHEAD - No Sleep Til' Hammersmith 12" Vinyl LP album front cover

    Bronze 203 801 , 1981 , Germany

    Recorded during their "Short, Sharp, Pain in the Neck" tour, the album featured performances from three iconic venues: Leeds Queens Hall, Newcastle City Hall, and, of course, the Hammersmith Odeon in London. The production team, led by Vic Maile, known for his work with artists like Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin,

    No Sleep Til' Hammersmith 12" Vinyl LP

    MOTORHEAD - On Parole

    Thumbnail of MOTORHEAD - On Parole 12" Vinyl LP album front cover

    Liberty United Records LBR 1004 , 1976 , England

    Recorded at Rockfield Studios in Wales under the watchful eye of producer Dave Edmunds, known for his work with artists like Brinsley Schwarz and Love Sculpture, "On Parole" was a raw, unpolished gem. It captured the band's early sound, a potent blend of blues-infused rock and roll, proto-punk aggression

    On Parole 12" Vinyl LP

    MOTORHEAD - Orgasmatron

    Thumbnail of MOTORHEAD - Orgasmatron 12" Vinyl LP album front cover

    GWR Records 24 701 , 1986 , France

    Recorded at the renowned "Master Rock" studios in London, England, this album marked a pivotal moment in Motörhead's career. Under the skilled production of Bill Laswell and Jason Corsaro, the band's sound took on a new dimension, a testament to their evolution as musicians.

    Orgasmatron 12" Vinyl LP