WARRIOR ON THE EDGE OF TIME

Gotten interested in Hawkwind due to some forum member's persistent praising of the band (Certif1ed most notably) I got Warrior At The Edge Of Time as my first Hawkwind album. Only knowing the song Silver Machine prior to this purchase, I listened it at the record store, with not all to many expectations. But I needn't have hessitated for I was convinced it was a good album after hearing the intro notes of this album, and several listenings later I am convinced it indeed is.

The music is somewhat reminiscent of Gong, Pink Floyd, and even some Moody Blues influences can be heard, but it's all a bit more edgy, and spacy, with also some metal (black Sabbath) thrown in for good measure. Lemmy proves to be a great bass player that keeps the momentum going from start to finish, and lots of spacy sounds that seem to be coming at you from all angles, great music, with lots of effects and echo's to create a very spacy atmosphere.

1. Assault & battery part I / 2. The golden void part II (10:20) Great heavy opening, beautifull strong bass-lines, nice effects, and a great voice (echo's and all), which evolve into a more soft second part that is very spaced out, great song throughout. 3. The wizard blew his horn (2:00) A Graem Edge (Moody Blues) like poem, with great drum sounds and echo's creating a very spacy atmosphere. 4. Opa-loka (5:40) A hypnothising bass and drum rhythm, with soft spacy background keyboards and guitar that fade in and out of the music. likeble from the first second, after two minutes you just get into it, and after five you wish it never stops, which it does at that point :-)

5. The demented man (4:20) accoustic guitar, nice vocals (a bit nasal), it could have been a Pink Floyd song judging from the created atmosphere, just great. 6. Magnu (8:40) One of the more hard and edgy songs, with some Arabian influences in the guitar, again very rhythmic hypnothising bass play, and the singing just dragges you into the music, a minor point though, it could have lasted a little shorter (so probably Opa-loka was the right length afterall)

7. Standing at the edge (3:45) Again a poem, which again reminds me of the Moody Blues, great voice and sounds, and a fabulous introduction to Spiral galaxy. 8. Spiral galaxy 28948 (3:55) Again an instrumental, where Opa-loka was bass/drum driven this one is keyboard/rhythmic guitar driven, wonderfull experience. 9. Warriors (2:05) We Are Borg, Resistance Is Futile, You Will Be Assimilated, that sums it up I think. 10. Dying seas (3:05) This song looses it for me, not bad, but I can't get into it. 11. Kings of speed (3:25) The closing song of a great album, a hawkwind version of the later Motorhead's (Lemmy) Ace Of Spades. Same energie and thrilling driving drum and guitar.

Bonustrack: Motorhead, nice heavy rock, like King Of Speed an introduction to Lemmy's next venture, nice violince.

A beautifull album, I didn't expect this quality prior to purchasing it, but on all levels Hawkwind convince, with a coherent sound and great musicianship. I will be looking out for more Hawkwind in the near future. Great band. I will not yet reward it with five stars, since it's my first and only Hawkwind album, but maybe I should. 4 Stars and a recommendation for all space-progressive rock fans out there.