CD Review: Motorhead “No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith” 40th Anniversary Edition

“No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith” 40th Anniversary Edition

Motorhead

BMG

4 Discs

Our score 4 out of 5 stars

Continuing on from 2020’s year-long celebration of Motorheads iconic “Ace Of Spades” album comes the undisputed definitive live record of all time: “No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith”. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of this number one album, it is being presented in a brand new deluxe four CD box set featuring a new remaster of the original album, bonus tracks and the previously unreleased – in its entirety – concert from Newcastle City Hall, March 30, 1981. If that was not enough the set also include the story of the album, previously unseen photos, reproduction poster, ticket, backstage pass and more.

If you are a Motorhead fan, then you undoubtably have crossed paths with “No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith” at some point during your fandom. From the iconic cover photo featuring the band on stage with a lighted airplane looming overhead to the bombastic nature of tracks like “Ace of Spades”, “Overkill” and, “Motorhead”. It is only fitting that this album was next to get the special “Anniversary” treatment. Packed in a heavy duty black and gold box are the sets four audio discs which include the newly remastered “No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith” (which sounds great!) the complete Newcastle City Hall (available for first time in its entirety) and a number of unreleased live versions of songs like “Stay Clean”, “Iron Horse” and “Limb From Limb”. A 28-page book complete with a bunch of unseen photos and stories detailing the events leading up to the recording accompanies the discs as well. Now some collections would stop there but not this one as like previous anniversary releases the Motorhead camp take things one louder including a reproduction all access pass, Europe 81’pin, Double sided poster, guitar pick and a Newcastle City Hall ticket which could almost pass for an original. No detail was spared as this is truly a collector’s piece and one fans of live performances will want to add to their collections.

The “No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith” 40th Anniversary Edition follows in the footsteps of both the “Motorhead 79” and “Ace of Spades” collections as not only does it provide fans with an enjoyable listening experience the added packaging and period correct collectibles provide an added level of immersion which only helps add to the music over all appeal. Though it would have been nice to also have included some video footage from this period the added unreleased audio tracks certainly made up for this small, short coming. Even if you already own a copy of the original do your self a favor and check out the anniversary edition as there will certainly be something in there warranting the purchase of another copy.  

The No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith CD box set contains:

  • The No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith album, remastered from the original master tapes, featuring extra bonus tracks and newly unearthed, previously unreleased sound check recordings.
  • The three full recordings of the concerts that made up No Sleep, never before released in their entirety.
  • The story of No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith told through previously unpublished and new interviews with the people that were on the road at the time.
  • Never before seen photos and rare memorabilia.
  • Double sided, A3 concert posters from 1981.
  • Reproduction USA ’81 tour pass.
  • MOTÖRHEAD ‘England’ plectrum.
  • 1981 European tour badge.
  • Reproduction Newcastle City Hall ticket.
  • Port Vale gig flyer post card.

Track Listing:

Disc 1

1.) Ace of Spades

2.) Stay Clean

3.) Metropolis

4.) The Hammer

5.) Iron Horse

6.) No Class

7.) Overkill

8.) (We Are) The Road Crew

9.) Capricorn

10.) Bomber

11.) Motorhead

12.) Over The Top

13.) Train Kept A-Rollin’

Soundcheck: Newcastle 30th March 1981

14.) Stay Clean

15.) Limb From Limb

16.) Iron Horse

Disc 2: Live at Newcastle City Hall, 30th March 1981

1.) Ace of Spades

2.) Stay Clean

3.) Over The Top

4.) Metropolis

5.) Shoot You In The Back

6.) The Hammer

7.) Jailbait

8.) Leaving Here

9.) Iron Horse

10.) Fire Fire

11.) Capricorn

12.) Too Late Too Late

13.) No Class

14.) (We Are) The Road Crew

15.) Bite The Bullet

16.) The Chase Is Better Than The Catch

17.) Overkill

18.) Bomber

19.) Motorhead

Disc 3: Live at Newcastle City Hall, 29th March 1981

1.) Ace of Spades

2.) Stay Clean

3.) Over The Top

4.) Metropolis

5.) Shoot You In The Back

6.) The Hammer

7.) Jailbait

8.) Leaving Here

9.) Fire Fire

10.) Capricorn

11.) Too Late Too Late

12.) No Class

13.) (We Are) The Road Crew

14.) Bite The Bullet

15.) The Chase Is Better Than The Catch

16.) Overkill

17.) Bomber

18.) Motorhead

Disc 4: Live at Leeds Queens, Hall, 28th March 1981

1.) Ace of Spades

2.) Stay Clean

3.) Over The Top

4.) Metropolis

5.) Shoot You In The Back

6.) The Hammer

7.) Jailbait

8.) Leaving Here

9.) Fire Fire

10.) Capricorn

11.) Too Late Too Late

12.) No Class

13.) (We Are) The Road Crew

14.) Bite The Bullet

15.) The Chase Is Better Than The Catch

16.) Overkill

17.) Bomber

18.) Motorhead

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