I was already a Moorcock fan because of his Elric books, so when Warrior at the Edge of Time came out it was like an explosion in my head. I was also a big BOC fan, so I really am sad that there wasn't a closer collaboration with Moorcock on their side. Can you imagine a BOC fanstasy novel like Time of the Hawklords? Something involving bikers?
Great piece. I remember reading of the Moorcock/BOC pairing back in the early '80s, but had forgotten that it was for more than "Veteran of Psychic Wars." "Black Blade" is a favorite, so cool to learn its origins. And I'll have to relisten to that Hawkwind album. It's likely been decades. I remember "Veteran of Psychic Wars" prominently used in the great animated feature, "Heavy Metal."
Thanks, Steve! Yes, it's interesting that the Heavy Metal producers chose Veteran of the Psychic Wars" for the movie. The band submitted 4 songs, with "Vengeance (The Pact)" and "Don't Turn Your Back" having been written specifically for the movie and the song "Heavy Metal: The Black and Silver" name checking the movie title. But only VotPW was ultimately included, despite it not having been written with the movie in mind. In any case, it fits the vibe of the movie for sure. All 4 songs were released on BOC's Fire of Unknown Origin album.
I was already a Moorcock fan because of his Elric books, so when Warrior at the Edge of Time came out it was like an explosion in my head. I was also a big BOC fan, so I really am sad that there wasn't a closer collaboration with Moorcock on their side. Can you imagine a BOC fanstasy novel like Time of the Hawklords? Something involving bikers?
That would be amazing, Patrick! I think the closest we got was the 1979 novel Trans-maniacon" by John Shirley.
I’ll have to put that on my list!
Great piece. I remember reading of the Moorcock/BOC pairing back in the early '80s, but had forgotten that it was for more than "Veteran of Psychic Wars." "Black Blade" is a favorite, so cool to learn its origins. And I'll have to relisten to that Hawkwind album. It's likely been decades. I remember "Veteran of Psychic Wars" prominently used in the great animated feature, "Heavy Metal."
Thanks, Steve! Yes, it's interesting that the Heavy Metal producers chose Veteran of the Psychic Wars" for the movie. The band submitted 4 songs, with "Vengeance (The Pact)" and "Don't Turn Your Back" having been written specifically for the movie and the song "Heavy Metal: The Black and Silver" name checking the movie title. But only VotPW was ultimately included, despite it not having been written with the movie in mind. In any case, it fits the vibe of the movie for sure. All 4 songs were released on BOC's Fire of Unknown Origin album.