EPOCHE-ECLIPSE / 30 YEAR ANTHOLOGY

Space Rock came into the forefront of rock with this incredible band - the Space Gods, Hawkwind. A lot of the material from this album is taken from the first 5 classic albums and rightly so. Del Mik, Brock and Anderson have an amazing sense of timing as they churn one track after another.

The exhaustive compilation spanning the early days to recent releases with almost 4 hours of Hawkwind, begins with the quintessential track 'Hurry on Sundown' from the debut album no less, a terrific song that has a great hook and melody throughout.

'Master Of The Universe' is the first classic from Hawkwind and one of their best recordings found on every compilation. It's chug-a-chug rhythm pounds incessantly with relentless driving bass and drums and the familiar trademark metallic fuzz guitar. The lyrics are characteristically simple - forming a central theme of being the centre of the universe and space and time revolves around this figure. I adore this track.

'Children Of The Sun' is a highlight with a nice guitar lick and Brock's vocals are exceptional.

There is of course the bonafide classic 'Silver Machine'. This track is how I was introduced to Hawkwind and I have loved it as a child up to the present day. It has never lost its trance like mesmeric power as it cruises effortlessly through its 4 minutes 40 seconds. The lyrics are terrific - 'Its an Electric line to your Zodiac sign.' Whats it all about? Nobody really cared as long as its futuristic space theme was evident and it rocked hard. Also worthy of mention is another classic 'Brainstorm', that is a heavy handed rhythm crunching rocker. Most of the tracks blend together too like a Hawkwind album.

From 'Space Ritual' we have the classic Hawkwind track 'Orgone Accumulator'. It motors along its 10 minutes length and is mesmirizing with amazing riffing guitars and effects. A wall of sound without remorse. Check out those amazing lyrics sung with echoed downbeat tones by Brock. Here they are:

I've got an orgone accumulator It makes me feel greater I'll see you sometime later When I'm through with my accumulator It's no social integrator It's a one man isolator It's a back brain stimulator It's a cerebral vibrator Those energy stimulators Just turn your eyeballs into craters But an orgone accumulator Is a superman creator It's no social integrator It's a one man isolator It's a back brain stimulator It's a cerebral vibrator I've got an orgone accumulator And it makes me feel grater I'll see you sometime later When I'm through with my accumulator.

The terrific lyrics are backed by the relentless chunky riffs that are almost hypnotically trance like. A masterpiece track and quintessential Hawkwind by any standards.

Then we are inundated by the surrealism of 'Sonic Attack'. Depending on how jaded your sensibilities are will depend on how you take this weird poem, as follows:

In case of Sonic Attack on your district, follow these rules... If you are making love, it is imperative to bring all bodies to orgasm simultaneously Do not waste time blocking your ears Do not waste time seeking a soundproof shelter Try to get as far away from the sonic source as possible Do not panic... Use your wheels, it is what they are for Small babies may be placed inside the special cocoons and should be left, if possible, in shelters Do not attempt to use your own limbs If no wheels are available, metal, not organic, limbs should be employed whenever possible... Remember, in the case of Sonic Attack survival does mean every man for himself Statistically more people survive if they think only of themselves Do not attempt to rescue friends, relatives, loved ones. You have only a few seconds to escape Use those seconds sensibly or you will inevitably die Do not panic Think only of yourself Think only of yourself These are the first signs of Sonic Attack: You will notice small objects, such as ornaments, oscillating You will notice a vibration in your diaphragm You will hear a distant hissing in your ears You will feel dizzy You will feel the need to vomit There will be bleeding from orifices There will be an ache in the pelvic region You may be subject to fits of hysterical shouting, or even laughter These are all sign of imminent Sonic destruction Your only protection is flight If you are less than ten years old remain in the shelters and use your cocoon Remember: you can help no-one else, You can help no-one else, Do not panic Do not panic Think only of yourself Think only of yourself Think only of yourself...

'Space is deep' is another space effect laden track with some interesting guitars and vocals.

'Steppenwolf', 'Kerb Crawler' and 'Motorhead' are fabulous hard driving tracks with tons of echoing vocals, effects, and crunching fuzz guitar.

'Psychedelic Warlords' has that same familiar chug-a-chug rhythmic pattern that has become a statement of space rock.

The chronological approach of the box set is very welcome. It is apparent as time wore on these time bandits, that the music became more mainstream and at times punkish such as 'Spirit of the Age'. The Hawkwind spaceship virtually crash landed after 'Warrior at the Edge of Time' and there are the first 3 tracks here on the compilation.

Highlights of the middle era include 'Hassan I Shaba', and 'Psi Power', and the more recent tracks 'Shot Down In The Night (Live) (Edit)', 'Levitation', 'Angels Of Death', 'Choose Your Masques', 'The War I Survived', and 'Sputnik Stan' are very good renditions. I especially liked the new lengthy version of 'Silver Machine'. The tracks on this CD set are found on the single CD 'Epoch/Eclipse' except some versions here are longer. There are some notable tracks left out such as 'Whose Gonna Win the War?' and 'Born To Go' but overall the best of Hawkwind is here. It captures all that we love about the band therefore, this CD collection is perhaps the best way to be introduced to this eclectic space rock band - an absolute triumph. 3 CDs of Hawkwind are irresistible! Well worth picking up if you see it.

The booklet is very informative and packed with pictures too, even Stacia gets a pic. So grab this if you want a collection of Hawkwind but do not want to locate the CDs themselves. I still recommend all the albums up to 'Warrior at the Edge of Time' along with this compilation. At least then you have the classics in the retro period and a good smattering of more recent tracks. The band have changed over the years as is evident when listening to all these tracks but they have never lost that cult like status as being the progenitors of space rock.