The Xenon Codex


The Xenon Codex is the fifteenth studio album by the English space rock group Hawkwind, released in 1988. It spent two weeks on the UK albums chart peaking at #79.
The group's line-up remained unchanged for three years. The album was recorded at Loco Studios, Caerleon and Rockfield Studios, Monmouth in February and March 1988. It was produced with Guy Bidmead, who had previously been Vic Maile's assistant.
The lyrics to "The War I Survived" and "Heads" were written by Roger Neville-Neil, who was a Hawkwind fan. "Lost Chronicles" is banded as separate track, but it forms the instrumental middle section of "Neon Skyline".
The group undertook a 25 date UK tour in April to promote the album. The Hammersmith Odeon show on 21 April was recorded by BBC Radio 1 for broadcast as a 60-minute in-concert programme.
After the tour, drummer Thompson left the group. He was replaced by former Dumpy's Rusty Nuts drummer Mick Kirton for some September dates, but the group felt he was unsuitable. Richard Chadwick, a veteran drummer of groups involved with English free-festival scene, then joined for an 18 date UK tour in November and December. The Nottingham Rock City show on 7 December was recorded, and part released on Undisclosed Files Addendum, with these tracks being included as bonus tracks on the 2010 re-issue.

Tracks

Side 1

  1. "The War I Survived" – 5:25
  2. "Wastelands of Sleep" – 4:18
  3. "Neon Skyline" – 2:18
  4. "Lost Chronicles" – 5:21
  5. "Tides" – 2:54

    Side 2

  7. "Heads" – 5:04
  8. "Mutation Zone" – 3:56
  9. "E.M.C." – 4:55
  10. "Sword of the East" – 5:25
  11. "Good Evening" – 4:35

    Atomhenge CD bonus tracks

  13. "Ejection" – 4:29
  14. "Motorway City" – 6:47
  15. "Dragons and Fables" – 3:19
  16. "Heads" – 3:52
  17. "Angels of Death" – 5:36

    Personnel