"Hall of the Mountain Grill" is the fourth studio album by the space rock band Hawkwind, released in 1974. It is widely regarded as one of the band's career highlights and is notable for its rich blend of psychedelic rock, space rock, and progressive influences. The album features a mix of atmospheric soundscapes and energetic tracks, capturing the essence of Hawkwind's innovative approach to rock music during the 1970s. Critics often praise it for its ambitious and immersive sound, making it a standout entry in Hawkwind's discography.
Hall of the Mountain Grill is the fourth studio album by space rock band Hawkwind, released in 1974. This album marked the debut of a new lineup, including Simon House on synthesizer, Mellotron, and electric violin. It was the first album without Robert Calvert, who had contributed lyrics, vocals, and spoken word segments, and Dik Mik, who had provided electronic effects.
The title of the album pays homage to Edvard Grieg's "In the Hall of the Mountain King" and also references a Portobello Road cafe called The Mountain Grill, which was a popular hangout for the band and their peers from the Ladbroke Grove scene in the early 1970s. Steve Peregrin Took, a frequent solo support act and occasional guest musician, had a song titled "The Ballad of the Mountain Grill," later released as "Flophouse Blues (in the Mountain Grill)."
The album cover, depicting a derelict spaceship in an alien lagoon, was designed by Barney Bubbles, a regular collaborator with the band. The rear cover was created by David A. Hardy.
Hall of the Mountain Grill features a mix of hard rock, psychedelia, and atmospheric tracks. Highlights include "The Psychedelic Warlords (Disappear in Smoke)" and "Lost Johnny" (which Lemmy's subsequent band Motörhead and Mick Farren's The Deviants would later record), the heavily phased "D-Rider" and "Web Weaver," and quieter pieces like "Goat Willow," "Wind of Change," and the title track. Side two of the original vinyl LP includes live recordings from the Edmonton Sundown in January 1974, capturing the band's signature space jams.
With Robert Calvert's departure, lead vocals were handled by Dave Brock, Lemmy on "Lost Johnny," and Nik Turner on "D-Rider." Del Dettmar left the band before the album's release, and Alan Powell joined as an additional drummer. Science fiction author Michael Moorcock also contributed by reading poetry at their concerts.
Jonathan Smeeton (Liquid Len) noted that Dave Brock wrote "Wind of Change" for a specific visual sequence on the Space Ritual tour. At the time of the album's release, Simon King expressed mixed feelings, although he appreciated side one of the album. Lemmy later praised Hall of the Mountain Grill as a peak period for the band, ranking it highly in his list of favorite British rock albums.
