"A Black Box" is the seventh solo album by the English musician, Peter Hammill. Released in 1980, it comes after his 1979 album, "pH7." Notable for its avant-garde and progressive sound, the album blends electronic and rock music, marking a shift in Hammill's musical direction and style.
The album comprises nine tracks, with the highlight being the epic, twelve-minute "Flight," a song notable for its dramatic shifts and the lyrical recount of a plane hijacking. "A Black Box" more broadly represents Hammill's continued experimentation and exploration of new soundscapes and storytelling styles in his music.
While the album didn't chart extensively at the time of its release, it's been increasingly appreciated by fans and critics over the years for its ambitious themes and intricate composition. Much of the music in the album is dark and intense, matching Hammill's usual style. The album is widely acknowledged as a significant contribution to Hammill's eclectic and influential body of work.
Apart from Hammill, the only other musicians to appear on the record are David Jackson, former bandmate in Van der Graaf Generator, and violinist Graham Smith. This was Hammill's last studio album before Van der Graaf Generator briefly reformed in 1981 and 1982.
