Space Ritual was recorded live at two independent concert dates in December 1972. The combination of performances in London and Liverpool create some very solid performances by Hawkwind, both capturing the band in their prime and demonstrating the elements which made them a cult phenomenon. First time listeners might have system shock listening to the variations Hawkwind chooses to sift through musically. Their music is a collection of paradigm shifts that range from monolithic density to cosmic guitar loops, all of it weird to be sure. This is what makes Space Ritual all the more listenable, the live interplay of Hawkwind’s 1972 lineup is astounding. Featuring Nik Turner on saxophone and vocals, Simon King on drums, Dave Brock on guitars and vocals, Dik Mik on effects and electronic treatments, Del Dettmar on synthesizers, and rhythm guitarist turned bassist Lemmy Kilmister of later Motörhead fame. Also composer and poet Robert Calvert is featured doing his tribute to sci-fi author Michael Moorcock.Many of the tracks are long free-form pieces that offer high-frequency distortion mixed with moody atmospheric electronica. The album opens with the tracks “Earth Calling” and “Born to Go,” the first being a roaring feedback laden intro that is followed up by 10 minutes of starfighter assaults on the mindscape. Next comes “Down Through the Night” which offers frightening bass lines spiraling like an electromagnetic vortex of sonic thrills, after this is the interstellar poem with by Calvert called “The Awakening” that is filled with ramblings from other galaxies....and so the ritual unfolds....50th Anniversary Deluxe, coloured vinyl editionTracklist: Earth Calling 1:46 Born To Go 9:56 Down Through The Night 6:16 The Awakening 1:32 Lord Of Light 7:21 The Black Corridor 1:51 Space Is Deep 8:13 Electronic No. 1 2:26 Orgone Accumulator 9:59 Upside Down 2:43 10 Seconds Of Forever 2:05 Brainstorm 9:20 7 By 7 6:13 Sonic Attack 2:54 Time We Left This World Today 5:47 Master Of The Universe 7:37 Welcome To The Future 2:03
