Hawkwind Albums Ranked: From Best to Worst

Hawkwind, that fabulous pioneering space rock band, has a rich discography - Hawkwind has released 30 studio albums as of March 2025. Hawkwind's lineup has included more than 50 members over the years, with Dave Brock being the only constant member. The song Silver Machine is Hawkwind's only major hit single, reaching No.3 in the charts in 1972. The group's influence is recognized in both Britain, where they are seen as legends, and America, where they hold a cult status.

Based on research from user ratings on Best Ever Albums and UK chart positions, here's a list of Hawkwind Albums (March 2025) from best to worst, considering critical reception and commercial success. Every studio album and every musician is connected on my Hawkwind Albums Music Map, which is available in various sized art prints.

Hawkwind Albums Ranked List

My ranking combines ratings from Best Ever Albums for rated albums and chart positions for unrated ones, with lower chart numbers indicating better performance. For albums with the same chart position, earlier release years are prioritized.

Rank	Album Title	Release Year	Notable Tracks	Key Musicians
1	Warrior on the Edge of Time	1975	"Assault and Battery", "The Golden Void", "Magnu", "Kings of Speed"	Dave Brock, Michael Moorcock, Lemmy, Simon House, Alan Powell, Simon King, Nik Turner
2	Doremi Fasol Latido	1972	"Brainstorm", "Space Is Deep", "Lord of Light", "The Watcher"	Dave Brock, Lemmy, Simon King, Nik Turner, Del Dettmar, Robert Calvert NOTE: The album Doremi Fasol Latido reflects Hawkwind's experimentation and is often highlighted as a key work in their discography.
3	In Search of Space	1971	"You Shouldn't Do That", "Master of the Universe", "Children of the Sun"	Dave Brock, Nik Turner, Dave Anderson, Terry Ollis, Dik Mik, Huw Lloyd-Langton
4	Hall of the Mountain Grill	1974	"The Psychedelic Warlords", "Wind of Change", "D-Rider"	Dave Brock, Lemmy, Simon King, Nik Turner, Del Dettmar, Simon House NOTE: The album Hall of the Mountain Grill pays homage to the band's roots while exploring new soundscapes.
5	Astounding Sounds, Amazing Music	1976	"Reefer Madness", "Steppenwolf", "City of Lagoons"	Dave Brock, Nik Turner, Simon King, Alan Powell, Paul Rudolph, Simon House
6	Quark, Strangeness and Charm	1977	"Quark, Strangeness and Charm", "Spirit of the Age", "Hassan I Sahba"	Dave Brock, Robert Calvert, Simon King, Alan Powell, Simon House
7	PXR5	1979	"Death Trap", "Jack of Shadows", "Infinity"	Dave Brock, Robert Calvert, Simon King, Alan Powell, Simon House
8	The Road to Utopia	2016	"The Watcher", "Space Is Deep", "The Road to Utopia"	Dave Brock, Richard Chadwick, Magnus Martin, Tim Blake
9	The Machine Stops	2011	"The Machine Stops", "Starshine", "Wraith"	Dave Brock, Richard Chadwick, Mr Dibs, Tim Blake
10	Take Me to Your Leader	2003	"Alien (I Am)", "To Love a Machine", "To Be or Not to Be"	Dave Brock, Richard Chadwick, Alan Davey, Tim Blake
11	25 Years On	1978	"PSI Power", "25 Years", "Flying Doctor"	Dave Brock, Robert Calvert, Simon King, Harvey Bainbridge, Steve Swindells
12	Carnivorous	2020	"Dyna-Mite", "The Virus", "Lockdown (Keep Calm)"	Dave Brock, Richard Chadwick, Magnus Martin
13	Into the Night	2017	"Into the Night", "Dark Matter", "The Fantasy of Faldum"	Dave Brock, Richard Chadwick, Magnus Martin, Tim Blake
14	The Future Never Waits	2019	"The Future Never Waits", "The End", "Time Captives"	Dave Brock, Richard Chadwick, Magnus Martin, Tim Blake NOTE: The album The Future Never Waits is considered by some to be Hawkwind's best album in a generation and showcases their continued evolution in sound.
15	Sonic Attack	1981	"Sonic Attack", "Rocky Paths", "Psychosonia"	Dave Brock, Huw Lloyd-Langton, Harvey Bainbridge, Ginger Baker
16	Levitation	1980	"Levitation", "Who's Gonna Win the War", "World of Tiers"	Dave Brock, Huw Lloyd-Langton, Harvey Bainbridge, Ginger Baker NOTE: The band experienced a surge in creativity and success with the album 1980's Levitation.
17	Choose Your Masques	1982	"Choose Your Masques", "Fable of a Failed Race", "Dream Worker"	Dave Brock, Huw Lloyd-Langton, Harvey Bainbridge, Martin Griffin
18	Space Bandits	1990	"Images", "Black Elk Speaks", "Treadmill"	Dave Brock, Alan Davey, Richard Chadwick, Bridget Wishart
19	The Chronicle of the Black Sword	1985	"Song of the Swords", "Needle Gun", "Zarozinia"	Dave Brock, Alan Davey, Harvey Bainbridge, Richard Chadwick
20	Electric Tepee	1992	"LSD", "Blue Shift", "Assassins of Allah"	Dave Brock, Alan Davey, Richard Chadwick, Bridget Wishart
21	It's the Hawkwind Project	1993	"It's the Hawkwind Project", "The Camera That Could Lie", "Right to Decide"	Dave Brock, Alan Davey, Richard Chadwick, Bridget Wishart
22	The Xenon Hall of Mirrors	1988	"The War I Survived", "Xenon Codex", "Wastelands"	Dave Brock, Alan Davey, Harvey Bainbridge, Richard Chadwick
23	Alien 4	1995	"Abducted", "Alien (I Am)", "Wastelands of Sleep"	Dave Brock, Alan Davey, Richard Chadwick, Ron Tree
24	Distant Horizons	1997	"Distant Horizons", "Phetamine Street", "Blue Shift"	Dave Brock, Alan Davey, Richard Chadwick, Ron Tree
25	Onward	2012	"Seahawks", "The Hills Have Ears", "The Drive By"	Dave Brock, Richard Chadwick, Mr Dibs, Tim Blake
26	Take Me to Your Future	2006	"Take Me to Your Future", "Spirit of the Age", "Time We Left"	Dave Brock, Richard Chadwick, Alan Davey, Tim Blake
27	Blood of the Earth	2008	"Blood of the Earth", "Sentences of Death", "You Know You're Only Dreaming"	Dave Brock, Richard Chadwick, Mr Dibs, Tim Blake
28	To Dream of Electric Lamb	2005	"To Dream of Electric Lamb", "Spirit of the Age", "The Right Stuff"	Dave Brock, Richard Chadwick, Alan Davey, Tim Blake
29	In Your Area	2000	"In Your Area", "Wastelands", "The Dream Has Ended"	Dave Brock, Alan Davey, Richard Chadwick, Ron Tree
30	Hawkwind	1970	"Hurry on Sundown", "Mirror of Illusion", "Paranoia", "Seeing It as You Really Are"	Dave Brock, Nik Turner, Huw Lloyd-Langton, John A. Harrison, Terry Ollis, Dik Mik, Mick Slattery, Dick Taylor

Album-by-Album Breakdown

Each album’s ranking is based on its production quality, critical reception, and legacy, including their contributions to genres like space rock and prog rock. For example, “Warrior on the Edge of Time” ranks first due to its high user rating (79/100 on Best Ever Albums) and chart position of 11, featuring iconic tracks like “Magnu” and contributions from Lemmy.

Broad Trends in Hawkwind's Discography

Hawkwind’s sound evolved from psychedelic rock in the early 1970s to a more defined space rock genre, with significant shifts in the 1980s towards electronic and hard rock influences. Their sound also incorporated elements from genres like krautrock and electronic music. Lineup changes, including Lemmy’s departure in 1975 and Nik Turner’s intermittent presence, shaped their musical direction. Commercial success peaks in the 1970s and resurgences in the 2010s.

The Legacy of Hawkwind’s Music

Hawkwind’s music has left an indelible mark on the world of rock and roll. With a career spanning over five decades, the band has released numerous studio albums, each one showcasing their unique blend of psychedelic rock, space rock, and punk-trance elements.

One of the most significant aspects of Hawkwind’s legacy is their influence on the punk movement. Their music, particularly songs like “Death Trap” and “Brainstorm,” has been cited as an inspiration by many punk bands. The band’s DIY ethos and anti-establishment views also resonated with the punk movement, making them a beloved and respected act among punk fans.

Hawkwind’s music has also had a profound impact on the world of science fiction and fantasy. The band’s lyrics often explored themes of science fiction and fantasy, and they collaborated with fantasy author Michael Moorcock on several occasions. The band’s music has also been featured in various science fiction and fantasy films, TV shows, and books, further cementing their connection to the genre.

The band’s live shows have also been a major part of their legacy. Hawkwind’s live performances are known for their energy, spontaneity, and improvisation, making each show a unique experience for fans. The band has also been known to feature elaborate light shows and visual effects, adding to the overall spectacle of their live performances.

Hawkwind’s influence can also be seen in the many musicians who have been inspired by their music. Guitarist Huw Lloyd-Langton, who played with the band in the 1970s and 1980s, has gone on to have a successful solo career, and drummer Richard Chadwick has played with numerous other bands, including the Alan Davey Band.

The band’s legacy extends beyond their music as well. Hawkwind has been a major part of the counterculture movement, with their music and message resonating with fans who are looking for something more than just mainstream rock and roll. The band’s commitment to playing benefit concerts and supporting social causes has also made them a beloved and respected act among fans.

In recent years, Hawkwind’s music has experienced a resurgence in popularity, with many younger fans discovering their music for the first time. The band’s influence can be seen in many modern rock bands, and their music continues to be celebrated by fans around the world.

In conclusion, Hawkwind’s legacy is a testament to the power of their music and their commitment to their art. With a career spanning over five decades, the band has left an indelible mark on the world of rock and roll, and their influence will continue to be felt for generations to come.

What's Your Favorite Hawkwind Album?

I'd love to hear your thoughts! Do you agree with this ranking? Which album would you put at #1? Drop a comment below!

Authority Links & Further Reading

• Official Hawkwind Website: Hawkwind
• Buy Hawkwind Vinyl Records/CDs: Cherry Red
• More on Hawkwind: AllMusic