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Hawkwind - Sonic Attack CD (album) cover

SONIC ATTACK

Hawkwind

 

Psychedelic/Space Rock

3.20 | 115 ratings

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AtomicCrimsonRush
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
3 stars "Sonic Attack" is one of the 80s Hawkwind albums that does not feature disposable filler instrumentals and transitions pieces unlike the albums to follow. Indeed this album is perhaps one of the best of hawkwind's 80s albums along with "Levitation", "Chronicle of the Black Sword" and "Electric Tepee".

The high strangeness of 'Sonic Attack' is always a great way to open an album. The lyrics are always intriguing as they were on "Space Ritual"; "In case of Sonic Attack on your district, follow these rules... 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, 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....Do not panic.......... Do not panic..." This is followed by 'Rocky Paths', a hard driving song with heavy guitars. After a lull in proceedings with 'Psychosonia', the weird 'Virgin Of The World' can be heard, a sequenced synth piece with voice over filler. Thankfully these filler transitional pieces are few and far between rather than dominate the album and we are treated with the quintessential 'Angels Of Death'. This is the classic track that all Hawkwind fans should have heard. Brock is wonderful on this; "we're angels of life, we're angels of death", and the lead break is dynamic with a driving riff that is simple but effective. 'Living On A Knife Edge' has excellent lead work and the trademark vocals with a high and low part chanting the verses in harmony. The chorus is excellent and there are some memorable lyrics; "Future generations are relying on us".

'Coded Languages' features the return of Mike Moorcock and he will later return in earnest on "Chronicle of the Black Sword". Moorcock's poetry is rather protesting conformity; "Investigate the meaning of your sentence, question the nature of your orders!" and best "they steal away your freedom and your love!" The sequenced music drones on for a while sounding like the type of material on "The Church of Hawkwind" and "Choose Your Masques". At least there is not too much of this on "Sonic Attack".

'Disintegration' is yet another transition into 'Streets Of Fear' which is another excellent track with cracking rhythm, chugging guitars, soaring lead breaks, Brock's vocals and spacey electronics. Definitely this is more like the old Hawkwind and one has to love Brock singing such lies as "Panic is the rule I make".

'Lost Chances' has some great echoed vocals from Brock, who is very strong here, and a heavier guitar over layers of synth electronica. The lyrics are characteristically futuristic and are phrases to augment the heavy guitars; "The race is run, the time is right, get out your gun, it's time to fight."

'Trans-Dimensional Man' is another rocking rhythmic riff with some decent vocals and effective atmospherics. So overall this album has the type of music one can expect from the 80s Hawkwind without all the instrumentals and fillers which mar most of their other 80s albums.it comes recommended to those who love their space rock heavy and the album certainly features some of Hawkwind's best 80s material.

AtomicCrimsonRush | 3/5 |

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