Space Ritual

This landmark live album, recorded in 1972 and issued in 1973, features everything that made Hawkwind the legendary group they are. Hawkwind were so far ahead of their time that their music sounds not a bit dated and has been a major influence on heavy metal, electronic and progressive rock for decades. As a band that performed constantly (and often for free), they were a locked-in unit of no small proportion. Much like the German Krautrock of the era, the band build their riffs on hypnotizing beats that motor along while the band explores their electronic effects. “Born to Go” features raw harmony and forward motion, while “Down Through the Night” imagines the sounds of space travel. Other classics — “Orgone Accumulator,” “Brainstorm” and “Space Is Deep” — retain all their immediacy and are enhanced by this expanded edition of the classic double album that now includes over two hours of mind-melting excellence. Features the future Lemmy of Motörhead and the classic Dave Brock-Nik Turner line-up. Essential.