Motörhead

MOTÖRHEAD's 'Orgasmatron' Turns 40: A Remastered Journey into Metal History

By Jason •
The legendary album is resurrected with a fresh remix and a treasure trove of unreleased material.

Mark your calendars, metalheads! November 6 marks the day when the 40th-anniversary edition of MOTÖRHEAD's iconic album 'Orgasmatron' drops via BMG, reigniting the flames of a record that has shaped the heavy metal landscape since its original release in 1986.

With the formidable lineup of Lemmy, Phil Campbell, Würzel, and Pete Gill, 'Orgasmatron' pushed the envelope of heaviness while maintaining the relentless speed and raw energy that MOTÖRHEAD is known for. This album isn't just a collection of songs; it's a sonic manifesto that redefined the band's trajectory, featuring tracks like 'Deaf Forever' and 'Built For Speed' that have become anthems in the live arena.

Fast forward four decades, and the 'Orgasmatron' legacy is being revisited with a new anniversary edition that dives deep into its genesis. The original recordings have been meticulously remastered, cut at half speed from the original tapes, and treated to a brand-new remix by longtime MOTÖRHEAD collaborator Cameron Webb, who has been entrusted with the band's sound across six studio albums.

In a candid reflection, the MOTÖRHEAD team shared their journey of rediscovery: "As old-school fans, we often wondered what 'Orgasmatron' would sound like through Cameron's lens. We concluded that asking him to remix it would be an adventure—one that honors both the original work and the spirit of MOTÖRHEAD." Webb himself expressed his excitement, revealing that 'Orgasmatron' was a pivotal record in his youth, igniting a passion that has propelled him to this moment.

Webb's approach to remixing the album was rooted in respect for the original production by Bill Laswell, whose stylized work drew mixed reactions among fans. "I wanted to preserve the wild, messy character of the original while revealing the buried treasures within the tracks," Webb explained. His goal was not to overshadow the past, but to amplify what Lemmy and Phil would have wanted to hear.

The 'Orgasmatron 40th Anniversary Edition' promises more than just a facelift; it comes as a deluxe 3LP bookpack and 2CD set, featuring the remastered mix, Webb's remix, unreleased studio rehearsals, and the complete BBC Radio 1 'Friday Rock Show' session from 1986. For diehard fans, a limited transparent violet vinyl pressing will also be available, ensuring that both the legacy and the spirit of 'Orgasmatron' live on for future generations of metal warriors.