"Bomber" is the third studio album by English rock band Motörhead, released on October 12, 1979, by Bronze Records. It was their second album with the label.
By 1979, Motörhead had built a loyal following in both punk and heavy metal scenes. After a shelved album for United Artists, they released their debut LP in 1977 and hit their stride with 1979's Overkill, which reached the UK Top 40. The band returned to the studio that summer with producer Jimmy Miller to record Bomber, but they missed the opportunity to test the new songs live first.
During the recording, Miller struggled with heroin addiction, which affected the sessions. The album features the band's first anti-heroin song, "Dead Men Tell No Tales." Despite challenges, Bomber peaked at No. 12 on the UK albums chart.
The recording took place at Roundhouse Recording Studios in London and Olympic Studios. The album features Lemmy's sharp lyrics addressing various themes, including the police, marriage, and show business. This was the first album to feature a band photo on the cover, showing all three members in a bomber plane. The title track was inspired by Len Deighton's novel Bomber.
Artwork for the album was illustrated by Adrian Chesterman, featuring the band in a Heinkel 111 bomber during the Blitz. Lemmy's fascination with military history influenced the choice of plane. Chesterman aimed for a photo-realistic effect and used a model to achieve the desired lighting.
The single "Bomber" entered the UK singles charts on December 1, 1979, shortly after the album's release. The album was also initially pressed on blue vinyl. Following the album, the Bomber Tour featured a 40-foot lighting rig designed as a bomber, moving across the stage.
Lemmy described Bomber as a "transitional record," acknowledging some weaker tracks. Clarke noted that the album didn't feel complete compared to their next release, Ace of Spades.
