Description

Hawkwind – Live Chronicles – Cassette

Castle Records

Live Chronicles is a live album by the legendary British space rock band Hawkwind, released in 1986. The album is a live recording of the band’s 1985 tour and serves as a concept album based on Michael Moorcock’s ‘The Chronicles of Corum’, a series of fantasy novels. This album is particularly notable because it’s tied to Hawkwind’s 1985 studio album ‘The Chronicle of the Black Sword,’ which was also inspired by Moorcock’s work, specifically his Elric of Melniboné series.

The album is based on Michael Moorcock’s ‘The Chronicles of Corum’ and other elements of his Eternal Champion series. It weaves a complex narrative of high fantasy, sword-and-sorcery, and philosophical themes.

Following The Chronicle of the Black Sword, Hawkwind revamped their live show around the tales of Elric of Melnibone, Michael Moorcock’s doomed fantasy anti-hero. Moorcock provided the narrative while the band provided a wall of sound that incorporated both the new material and old standbys such as ‘Master of the Universe’ and ‘Assault and Battery.’ Performed with enthusiasm.

Live Chronicles showcases Hawkwind’s signature space rock sound, combining elements of psychedelic rock, hard rock, and progressive rock. The live album captures the energy of their performances, filled with sweeping synthesizers, heavy guitar riffs, and atmospheric soundscapes that take listeners on a sonic journey through Moorcock’s fantastical universe.

True to Hawkwind’s style, the album features extensive use of synthesizers and electronic effects to create a futuristic, otherworldly atmosphere. The album blends spacey elements with heavy rock, featuring powerful riffs and solos, adding intensity and a hard rock edge to the spacey soundscapes. Spoken-word segments, sound effects, and dramatic musical changes help to convey the epic story, giving the album a cinematic feel.

Key Tracks:

The album consists of a series of songs that narratively flow together, with many highlights showcasing Hawkwind’s dynamic live performances:

‘Song of the Swords’ – One of the standout tracks from the Chronicle of the Black Sword concept, this track is a powerful combination of hard rock and space rock, with lyrics that tie into Moorcock’s Elric saga.

‘Sea King’ – An energetic and driving track with a pulsating rhythm, evoking imagery of battles and mythical figures from Moorcock’s universe.

‘Elric the Enchanter’ – A song that directly references the central character in Moorcock’s epic fantasy, capturing the character’s complexity with atmospheric soundscapes and intense riffs.

‘The Pulsing Cavern’ – A more experimental and psychedelic track, with its eerie sound effects and synthesizer-driven mood setting the tone for a deeper journey into the story.

‘Needle Gun’ – A more straightforward, upbeat rock track with an infectious energy, blending space rock with more traditional hard rock elements.

The album’s concept revolves around themes of fate, power, heroism, and moral ambiguity, all central to Michael Moorcock’s writing. The story of Elric of Melniboné, a tragic anti-hero, is reflected in the music, with sweeping soundscapes representing the cosmic forces at play in the character’s universe.

The album, like much of Hawkwind’s work, blends themes of high fantasy with futuristic, science fiction elements, creating a unique mix of narrative and sound. Elric’s struggles with destiny and power are mirrored in the music, often moving from intense rock sections to more reflective, ambient passages.

Live Chronicles is a fan favorite and an essential part of Hawkwind’s catalog, particularly for those who appreciate the band’s conceptual and narrative-driven albums. It captures the band at a time when they were fully embracing the epic, fantasy-inspired side of their music, blending it with their established space rock sound.

For fans of space rock, progressive music, or concept albums, Live Chronicles is a must-listen, offering a unique fusion of narrative depth and cosmic soundscapes. The live energy adds a rawness to the epic material, making it a powerful experience both for Hawkwind fans and newcomers to the genre.

Song List
1. Song Of The Swords
2. Dragons & Fables
3. Narration
4. Sea King, The
5. Angels Of Death
6. Shade Gate
7. Rocky Paths
8. Narration
9. Pulsing Cavern, The
10. Master Of The Universe
11. Dreaming City
12. Choose Your Masques
13. Fight Sequence
14. Needle Gun
15. Zarozinia
16. Lords Of Chaos
17. Dark Lords, The
18. Wizards Of Pan Tang
19. Moonglum
20. Elric The Enchanter
21. Conjuration Of Magnu
22. Magnu
23. Dust Of Time
24. Horn Of Fate