Forty years after first rattling speakers and dividing opinion, Orgasmatron remains one of the most fascinating albums in Motörhead's formidable catalogue. Released during a period of transition for the band, its distinctive production, towering songs and uncompromising attitude ensured it would stand apart from everything that came before and after. Now, with a brand-new remix from longtime Motörhead collaborator Cameron Webb, the album is being reintroduced to a new generation while inviting longtime fans to hear a familiar favourite in a completely different light.
As part of the ongoing 40th anniversary celebrations, Motörhead have unveiled 'Built For Speed' as the second single from Webb's newly remixed edition of the album. Few tracks encapsulate the band's relentless philosophy better. Driven by Lemmy's unmistakable bass tone, razor-sharp riffs and a no-nonsense sense of purpose, it's a song that has become synonymous with Motörhead's live legacy. Accompanied by a new animated lyric video created by Lee Gregory of ILoveMotion, the track offers fans another taste of what's to come from this ambitious anniversary project.
The story behind Orgasmatron has always been as compelling as the music itself. Produced by the acclaimed Bill Laswell, the album's original release sparked plenty of discussion among both band members and fans. While many praised its adventurous sound and expansive sonic approach, others felt some of Motörhead's trademark aggression had been softened in the process. Yet beneath that debate sat a collection of songs that would become essential parts of the band's identity.
Tracks such as the monumental title track, 'Deaf Forever' and 'Built For Speed' quickly established themselves as fan favourites and live staples. Blending heavy metal, hard rock and punk with a confidence few bands could match, Orgasmatron carved out its own unique space within the Motörhead canon. Four decades later, its influence and reputation continue to grow.
That legacy is at the heart of the forthcoming 40th Anniversary Edition. Alongside a remastered version of the original album, the collection features Cameron Webb's complete remix created from the original multi-track recordings. Also included are studio rehearsals, outtakes from 1985 and the complete BBC Radio 1 Friday Rock Show session recorded during the Orgasmatron era. Available across several formats, including deluxe vinyl and CD editions, the release aims to celebrate both the album itself and the period that produced it.
For Webb, the opportunity carried particular significance. Having discovered Orgasmatron as a teenager, he describes the album as one of the defining records of his youth. Rather than pursuing a modern overhaul, his goal was to uncover details hidden within the original recordings while preserving the character that made the record so distinctive.
That respectful approach appears central to the entire project. The intention was never to replace Bill Laswell's original vision, but instead offer an alternative perspective on an album that has long inspired debate among Motörhead fans. Webb sought to enhance the weight of the bass, sharpen the guitar presence and reveal additional nuances while maintaining the personality embedded within the original recordings.
It's an intriguing proposition for listeners. Some will no doubt remain loyal to the original mix, while others may welcome the opportunity to hear Orgasmatron with renewed clarity and power. Either way, the anniversary edition highlights something that has become increasingly apparent over the years: this is not simply another Motörhead album. It is one of the band's boldest artistic statements, a record that challenged expectations and refused to conform.
Forty years on, Orgasmatron still sounds like a machine fuelled by rebellion, volume and attitude. Whether you're revisiting it for the hundredth time or discovering it for the first, this anniversary edition offers a compelling opportunity to experience one of Motörhead's most distinctive creations from an entirely new angle. Lemmy famously lived life at full throttle, and judging by the renewed excitement surrounding Orgasmatron, this classic album remains exactly what its latest single promises: built for speed.
See below for full details of the Orgasmatron 40th releases and be sure to visit www.iMotorhead.com for news and updates!
ORGASMATRON TRACKLISTING
3LP VERSION
LP1 – 40TH ANNIVERSARY MASTER
SIDE A
1. Deaf Forever
2. Nothing Up My Sleeve
3. Ain't My Crime
4. Claw
5. Mean Machine
SIDE B
1. Built For Speed
2. Ridin' With The Driver
3. Doctor Rock
4. Orgasmatron
LP2 – CAMERON WEBB 40TH ANNIVERSARY REMIX
SIDE A
1. Deaf Forever
2. Nothing Up My Sleeve
3. Ain't My Crime
4. Claw
5. Mean Machine
SIDE B
1. Built For Speed
2. Ridin' With The Driver
3. Doctor Rock
4. Orgasmatron
LP3 - REHEARSALS, OUTTAKES AND SESSIONS
SIDE A
1. Orgasmatron & On The Road (Studio Rehearsal - 1985)
2. Nothing up My Sleeve (Studio Outtake – 1985)
3. Doctor Rock & Ridin’ With The Driver (Studio Rehearsal - 1985)
SIDE B
4. Claw (Alternate Version)
5. Mean Machine (Studio Outtake – 1985)
6. Killed By Death (BBC Radio 1 Friday Rock Show)
7. Orgasmatron (BBC Radio 1 Friday Rock Show)
8. Doctor Rock (BBC Radio 1 Friday Rock Show)
9. Deaf Forever (BBC Radio 1 Friday Rock Show)
10. Orgasmatron (Spoken Word) (BBC Radio 1 Friday Rock Show)
2CD VERSION
CD ONE
40TH ANNIVERSARY MASTER
1. Deaf Forever
2. Nothing Up My Sleeve
3. Ain't My Crime
4. Claw
5. Mean Machine
6 Built For Speed
7. Ridin' With The Driver
8 Doctor Rock
9. Orgasmatron
OUTTAKES, REHEARSALS (1986)
10. Orgasmatron & On The Road (Studio Rehearsal - 1985)
11. Nothing up My Sleeve (Studio Outtake – 1985)
12. Doctor Rock & Ridin’ With The Driver (Studio Rehearsal - 1985)
13. Claw (Alternate Version)
14 . Mean Machine (Studio Outtake – 1985)
CD TWO
CAMERON WEBB 40TH ANNIVERSARY REMIX (2026)
1. Deaf Forever
2. Nothing Up My Sleeve
3. Ain't My Crime
4. Claw
5. Mean Machine
6. Built For Speed
7. Ridin' With The Driver
8. Doctor Rock
9. Orgasmatron
RADIO ONE FRIDAY ROCK SHOW (1986)
10. Killed By Death (BBC Radio 1 Friday Rock Show)
11. Orgasmatron (BBC Radio 1 Friday Rock Show)
12. Doctor Rock (BBC Radio 1 Friday Rock Show)
13. Deaf Forever (BBC Radio 1 Friday Rock Show)
14. Orgasmatron (Spoken Word) (BBC Radio 1 Friday Rock Show)
