Motörhead The Manticore Tapes
Motörhead's The Manticore Tapes reopens the vault on the band's earliest fury, presenting archival restoration that foregrounds raw early recordings and brutal high-velocity hard rock. Across one professional review, critics note the release as a historically significant document that still strikes as a visceral rock record, earning an 80/100 consensus score from a Classic Rock Magazine assessment of inaugural takes and alternate versions.
Classic Rock Magazine's Everett True celebrates standout tracks such as “Leavin' Here - The Manticore Tapes” and “Motörhead - The Manticore Tapes” as definitive highlights, with a blistering alternate “Leavin' Here” described as violent and thrilling and a more frantic, speed-addled “Motörhead” that outpaces the single. Reviewers consistently praise “Iron Horse / Born to Lose - The Manticore Tapes - Instrumental” and “The Watcher - The Manticore Tapes” for their howl and tripped-out beauty, while rarer turns like “Help Keep Us on the Road - The Manticore Tapes” add archival color.
The consensus suggests that The Manticore Tapes is worth listening to for fans and historians who want the band unvarnished: the collection operates less as a polished studio album and more as a restored snapshot of Motörhead's early menace. While only one professional review is recorded, the tone is clear - this is a must-hear archival release for those chasing the raw immediacy of Motörhead's formative days, and its historical significance bolsters its musical impact.
Critics' Top Tracks
The standout songs that made critics take notice
Leavin' Here - The Manticore Tapes
1 mention
"a riotously throwaway second version of Leavin' Here that still manages to blister paint from every surface it lands on"— Classic Rock Magazine
Motörhead - The Manticore Tapes
1 mention
"a version of Motörhead that sounds even more frantic and speed-addled (if that’s possible) than the single"— Classic Rock Magazine
Iron Horse / Born to Lose - The Manticore Tapes - Instrumental
1 mention
"Iron Horse/Born To Lose howling its defiance into a bleak wind of noise"— Classic Rock Magazine
a riotously throwaway second version of Leavin' Here that still manages to blister paint from every surface it lands on
Track Ratings
How critics rated each track, relative to this album (0-100). Only tracks that made critics feel something are rated.
Intro - The Manticore Tapes - Instrumental
Leavin' Here - The Manticore Tapes
Vibrator - The Manticore Tapes
Help Keep Us on the Road - The Manticore Tapes
The Watcher - The Manticore Tapes
Motörhead - The Manticore Tapes
Witch Doctor - The Manticore Tapes - Instrumental
Iron Horse / Born to Lose - The Manticore Tapes - Instrumental
Leavin' Here - The Manticore Tapes - Alternate Take
Vibrator - The Manticore Tapes - Alternate Take
The Watcher - The Manticore Tapes - Alternate Take
What Critics Are Saying
Deep insights from 1 critic who reviewed this album
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Critic's Take
Everett True writes with ragged enthusiasm about Motörhead's The Manticore Tapes, insisting these raw, filthy first takes capture the band in full throttle and naming “Leavin' Here” and “Motörhead” among the best tracks. He relishes how a blistering alternate “Leavin' Here” still "blisters paint from every surface it lands on," and praises a version of “Motörhead” that sounds "more frantic and speed-addled" than the single. The review frames the record as a lovingly restored historical document that nevertheless rocks hard - early favourites like “Iron Horse/Born To Lose” and “The Watcher” are celebrated for their howl and tripped-out beauty. True's tone is irreverent and exuberant, making clear that the best songs on The Manticore Tapes are those that retain the original line-up's savage immediacy.
Key Points
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The best song is “Leavin' Here” because its alternate take still 'blisters paint from every surface', showcasing raw intensity.
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The album's core strength is its authentic, lovingly restored snapshot of Motörhead's earliest, high-velocity power and historical significance.