THE CHRONICLE OF THE BLACK SWORD

There were some time now that Hawkwind didn't release a decent album. Four years since "Sonic Attack" which was IMO their latest good album.

This "Chronicle" takes up with the good old energetic rock for which the band is known. And this is for the best even if this album sounds very much metal ("Song Of The Swords", "The Sea King"). But the band hasn't forgotten about their spacey music. Of course, these tracks are scarce, but they have the merit to exist ("The Pulsing Cavern", the sweet "Zarozina").

With this effort, "Hawkwind" reviews several of their inspirational genres. Some heavy and psychedelic savours during "Elric The Enchanter" (which doesn't enchant me a lot), pure hard-rock ("Needle Gun") their energetic and so typical space rock music ("Sleep Of A Thousand Tears")

But frankly there isn't anything here to write home about. This album just brings back "Hawkwind" in the family of bands who can still produce good albums. In terms of prog, there is very little to remember.

A solid hard-rock album, that's what you'll get. And to be able to listen to one of the best song, you have to wait until the final track "Horn Of Destiny".

Three stars.