NEEDLE GUN

This Needle Gun 12" E.P. was released at the time of the album 'The Chronicle of the Black Sword', a Michael Moorcock inspired set based on his Elric books - sci-fi stories of sword and sorcery and beyond (now I've dug out the 20 Moorcock paperbacks which I haven't read for years...The Time Dweller and The Black Corridor were my faves from memory - not exactly the involved tales of the lord from Melnibone.....) Anyway, why incorporate an anti-smack anthem in 'Needle Gun ?? Seems Dave Brock was trying to get a message across......This is Hawkwind during their Space-Metal period. Along with Brock, bassist Alan Davey has joined the band with Harvey Bainbridge switching to full-time keyboards, lead-guitarist Huw Lloyd- Langton is back, and Danny Thompson on the drums. Needle Gun is a solid hard-rocker with a catchy chorus. It is possibly the weakest tune on the main album, and this E.P. but the Davey- penned instrumental 'Arioch' is a blast, full of churning bass-riffs (almost like something IRON MAIDEN would perform) and stunning spacey lead-guitaring from Huw. Also included is Song of the Swords, another hard-rocker which was the opening cut of the actual album. 'Solid' is the key factor here. Typical 80's synths, shredding guitars and heavy riffing, all rolled into a very 'poppy' format. The Hawks riding their crest of the commercial wave. This one's worth it for 'Arioch'.