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Sonic Space: Hawkwind, Masters of Space Rock
By Matt Howarth
Special to SPACE.com
posted: 02:01 pm ET
10 May 2000

SONIC SPACE 6  
Since Hawkwind's inception in the early '70s, no one has ever come close to rivaling the band for supremacy of space rock.

Whether exploring their psychedelic phase, or heavy metal period, or garage sound, or making their recent excursion into techno turf, the members of Hawkwind have always been masters of the universe.



HAWKWIND: Space Ritual (CD on EMI Records)


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Hawkwind

Many consider this release the birthplace of space rock.

This 1972 live performance is a milestone of quintessential Hawkwind at their finest, sporting lavish versions of science-fiction themed tunes like "Lord of Light", "Space Is Deep", "Brainstorm", "Time We Left this World Today", "Masters of Universe", the Michael Moorcock-inspired "The Black Corridor" and the band's eternal favorite, the severely intense classic "Sonic Attack".

At this point, the band includes Dave Brock, Bob Calvert, Nik Turner, Del Dettmar, DikMik, Lemmy and Simon King.

Searing guitars duel on a battleground of screeching synthesizers, punctuated by solid drumming and wailing saxophone or crooning flute. Vocals describe the appeal of deep space with a richness and clarity. The mesh of this seeming cacophony is a lush auralscape that blends driving force and hypnotic layers. Each dynamic piece is bridged together by dreamy electronic passages, a standard trait today, but unheard of back in the early '70s.

This album is truly one of the most impressive examples of space rock to be found, capable of holding its own against any modern recording for sheer power and sparkling luster.


HAWKWIND: Quark, Strangeness and Charm (CD on Griffin Music)

This 1977 release brilliantly crystallizes Hawkwind's powerful sound into the lineup of Dave Brock, Bob Calvert, Simon King, Simon House and Adrian Shaw.

While "Spirit of the Age" laments the time dilation that plagues space travelers, the album's title track takes a smirking view of Albert Einstein's love life. And "Damnation Alley" captures the essence of Roger Zelazny's novel far better than that dreadful movie adaptation did.

The introduction of violin to Hawkwind's space rock signature produces a tastily spacier edge. The music is a thick mix of power guitar, cresting electronics, driving drums, thunder bass and rich vocals. As always, the catchy nature of the tunes runs high here.


HAWKWIND: PXR5 (CD on Virgin Records)

This album from 1979 displays a superb refinement of Hawkwind's sound, featuring the same line-up as "Quark, Strangeness and Charm".

For many, "Uncle Sam's on Mars" became an anthem during the following decade, with its sardonic wit and captivating melody. With the rest of the album thickly immersed in science fiction as a theme (with "Jack of Shadows", "Life Form", "Robot"), the release peaks with the epic song "PXR5".

Synthesizers swirl like condensing galaxies, merging with Brock's superb space guitar. Percussive backbeat and bass-wrenching bass vie with violin screams. And Calvert's vocals are at their urgent best.


HAWKWIND: Levitation (CD on Essential Records)

With this 1980 release, the lineup mutates into Dave Brock, Hugh Lloyd-Langton, Harvey Bainbridge, Tim Blake (from Gong) and Ginger Baker (from Cream).

Although the electronics are still a dominant presence in the sound, the emphasis is shifting here to a purer form of rock 'n' roll. Still tainted with a dedication to space, though, with "Motor Way City", "World of Tiers", "Space Chase" and "The Fifth Second of Forever."


HAWKWIND: This Is Hawkwind, Do Not Panic (CD on Griffin Music)

By 1984, Brock, Lloyd-Langton, Bainbridge and Baker are joined by Alan Davey, Danny Thompson, and K. Hayle ... and a surprise return of Nik Turner. This release features an all-out live concert at Stonehenge (the site of many old Hawkwind gigs before its absorption into pop culture), delivering powerful versions of "Psy Power", "Levitation", "Space Chase", "Death Trap", "Stonehenge Decoded" and more.


HAWKWIND: Space Bandits (CD on Essential Records)

Jumping past the band's heavy metal period, this 1990 release sees the band lineup become Dave Brock, Harvey Bainbridge, Simon House, Alan Davey, Richard Chadwick and Bridgett Wishart (the latter adding an unexpected female vocal touch to Hawkwind's normally masculine sound).

This time, the space rock gets a Native American influence, adding a softly tribal quality to the band's powerful dynamics.


HAWKWIND: Electric Teepee (CD on Griffin Music)

1993 finds the Native American edge all the thicker in Hawkwind as the band slim down to just Brock, Davey and Chadwick. However, the pruning down of personnel results in a lusher sound.

Guitars, electronics, drums and bass meld into a cohesion even crisper than Hawkfans had previously experienced. Vocals become layered and phase shifted. The songs begin to consciously allot time for instrumental riffs that explode with sonic force and demanding guitar strength.


HAWKWIND: It Is the Business of the Future To Be Dangerous (CD on Essential Records)

1993 also sees the release of Hawkwind's quasi-techno album, again with the trio line-up.

The electronics are hardly the only instrument to shine here, for the blend of rhythmics and searing guitar add thrillingly to the ecstatic music. Although many of the songs rock out, the general flavor of tranciness is the keynote throughout. The pieces shine with captivating tempos and hypnotic melodies, making this truly one of Hawkwind's finest releases.

The presence of a version of the Rolling Stones' classic "Gimme Shelter" [RealAudio sample] adds a particularly earthy moment to an otherwise astral excursion.

RealAudio samples

"It Is the Business of the Future To Be Dangerous"
"Space Is Their (Palestine)"


HAWKWIND: Alien 4 (CD on Emergency Broadcast System Records)

With this 1995 release, Hawkwind immerse themselves in the legend of Area 54 and alien abductions, with vocalist Ron Tree joining the Brock/ Davey/ Chadwick lineup.

The tone of the tuneage has returned once more to space rock. The guitar riffs scorch the ears, the electronics cavort like hyperactive space drives, the percussion rears like a wall between worlds. The lyrical content ponder alien presence on Earth from both human and extraterrestrial outlooks.


HAWKWIND: Love in Space (double CD on Emergency Broadcast System Records)

A year later, this quartet Hawkwind take their "Alien 4" experience on the road, producing this double CD document of the live tour. Weaving new pieces into the Area 54 pastiche, the performance is top notch: electrifying and hypnotic live space rock that soars, yet maintains a solid platform for dancing. Expect a version of the classic "Silver Machine" to play a crucial role in the crescendo.


HAWKWIND: The 1999 Party (double CD on EMI Records)

In celebration of past moments and the band's longevity, this double CD was released in 1997, featuring a classic live concert from 1974 in Chicago. Hard to believe, but this release actually rivals "Space Ritual" with its spacey brilliance and overt might. Later songs reinforce material from "Space Ritual", resulting in a concert that bristles with cosmic flair and vigor.


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