WARRIOR ON THE EDGE OF TIME

This is perhaps Hawkwind's finest moment (next to the live album Space Ritual). The writing and sound is similar to the previous album but improved. This is the last album with Lemmy before he went on to form Motorhead (named after a bonus song included on most CDs). He got fired while after this album Robert Calvert returns, replacing poet Michael Moorcock. A new drummer, Allan Powell, joins Simon King. Former High Tide/Third Ear Band violinist Simon House returns and uses more keyboards here than on the last album. As usual, Dave Brock and Nik Turner lead the way.

Most of the songs segue into each other. On my copy the first two songs are one track. "Assault & Battery" has a great mix of bass, Mellotron, drums and flute. The vocals are generally catchy and sung in harmony. Later synth noises and what sounds like a phased organ can be heard. "Golden Void" has more great Mellotron and synth. This part is more symphonic. Brock's guitar is more noticeable here. "The Wizard Blew His Horn" has an echoed Moorcock reciting a poem, organ and cymbals crashing. Trippy!

"Opa-Loka" is often referred to as Krautrock sounding, and I agree. Particularly the 'motorik' variety. This instrumental is pure spacey and groovy awesomeness. "The Demented Man" features some great acoustic guitar playing. Nice Mellotron and some bird noises. Some more harmony vocals but no drums or bass. "Magnu" is one of Hawkwind's best songs. Opens with storm sounds before Brock delivers a fantastic riff. Definately sounds like two drummers in this song. Effects on the vocals. Includes a hypnotic mantra. Nice percussion in the middle, along with great violin playing. Cool phased guitar in spots. Mantra gets electronically altered at the end.

"Standing At The Edge" is more spacey poetry. "Spiral Galaxy 28948" is an excellent instrumental in 6/8. Possibly my favourite Hawkwind song. Written by Simon House, the numbers refer to his birthdate. Begins as spacey metal before going into a melodic groove. Great synth playing. Features the most interesting drumming on the album. The bass work is good as well. "Warriors" features electronically altered vocals, tympani (?) and, believe it or not, spacey sounds. "Dying Seas" is one of the better songs. This has another great riff. Love the synth sounds here. Both Nik and Dave singing.

"Kings Of Speed" was a single. More typical Hawkwind style proto-punk. Similar to the bonus track "Motorhead," which I prefer more. Currently, I think this album is out-of-print. Apparently there is some legal issues surrounding a re-release. Their strongest and most consistent studio album. This deserves 4 stars.