Warrior on the Edge of Time cover

Warrior on the Edge of Time

Hawkwind · 1975

47 min · 12 tracks · progressive rock

A cosmic journey through progressive rock, blending surreal lyrics with expansive soundscapes and hypnotic rhythms.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Assault and Battery Part I Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
  • →
    Magnu — With its lengthy instrumental sections and powerful riffs, this track exemplifies Hawkwind's signature sound, showcasing their ability to create immersive sonic landscapes.
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    The Golden Void Part II — This track features ethereal vocals and a dreamlike atmosphere, capturing the album's overarching theme of exploration and transcendence.
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    Motorhead — An early version of what would become the anthem for Lemmy Kilmister’s later band, this track combines aggressive energy with relentless rhythms that highlight Hawkwind's heavy influence on punk rock.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

70 /100
Alpine
Higher than 94% of albums we've rated

The album's immersive flow and narrative depth showcase its strong compositional and cohesive qualities.

What we noticed

  • Several tracks incorporate spoken word elements and narrative lyrics, enhancing the conceptual theme throughout the record.
Composition 25% of the score
8/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
7/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
8/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • cosmic journey through soundscapes
  • dynamic peaks and valleys
  • immersive in-order listening experience
  • short tracks for varied exploration
  • narrative arcs with thematic depth

Maybe skip if you

  • seekers of instant gratification
  • prefer straightforward, single tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Critical Peak — Ambitious conceptual framework and critical acclaim mark it as a high point in their catalog.
Career context
By the time 'Warrior on the Edge of Time' was released in May 1975, Hawkwind had established themselves as pioneers of space rock, following their breakthrough album 'In Search of Space' in 1971. This record marked a significant evolution in their sound, incorporating more elaborate compositions and thematic storytelling, as well as an increased emphasis on lyrical depth.
Stylistic neighbors
Pink Floyd· Can· Monster Magnet

Tracklist

  • 1 Assault and Battery Part I Start here 5:36
  • 2 The Golden Void Part II 4:33
  • 3 The Wizard Blew His Horn 1:46
  • 4 Opa-Loka 5:10
  • 5 The Demented Man 3:58
  • 6 Magnu 8:15
  • 7 Standing at the Edge 2:42
  • 8 Spiral Galaxy 28948 3:41
  • 9 Warriors 2:03
  • 10 Dying Seas 3:03
  • 11 Kings of Speed 3:48
  • 12 Motorhead 3:03

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata