PETER HAMMILL A Black Box (1985 UK issue of the 1980 8-track LP. A brooding, uncompromising work from one of progressive rock’s most singular voices, A Black Box by Peter Hammill stands as a stark and deeply personal statement from the formerVan der Graaf Generator frontman. Released in 1980, this LP captures Hammill in a period of transition, embracing a more stripped-down yet intensely focused sound that channels both emotional rawness and experimental edge.
Opening with the jagged energy of ‘Golden Promises’, the album immediately signals a departure from the dense, organ-driven soundscapes of his earlier work. Instead, A Black Box leans into angular guitar textures, sparse arrangements and an almost confrontational intimacy. Hammill’s unmistakable vocal delivery — urgent, fragile, and fiercely expressive — remains at the centre, guiding the listener through themes of isolation, uncertainty and inner conflict.
The title track, occupying the entire second side, is the album’s centrepiece — a multi-part suite that unfolds with a sense of unease and unpredictability. Shifting between hushed introspection and explosive outbursts, it showcases Hammill’s gift for narrative songwriting and his willingness to push beyond conventional structure. It is both challenging and rewarding, demanding full attention while offering profound emotional payoff.
Presented in a suitably austere sleeve, A Black Box reflects the album’s introspective core — minimal, enigmatic and quietly powerful. A compelling and often underrated entry in Peter Hammill’s extensive catalogue, this LP is essential listening for those drawn to the darker, more cerebral side of progressive music, black title printed picture sleeve and company inner. Both sleeve and viyl carry minimal signs of wear/play OVED140)
TRACKLISTING AND EXTRA INFORMATION01 Golden Promises
02 Losing Faith In Words
03 The Jargon King
04 Fogwalking
05 The Spirit
06 In Slow Time
07 The Wipe
08 Flight :
a) Flying Blind
b) The White Cane Fandango
c) Control
d) Cockpit
e) Silk Worm Wings
f) Nothing Is Nothing
g) A Black Box
Artist -
Peter Hammill (click link for complete listing)
Title -
A Black Box (click link for more of the same title)
Year of Release - 1985
Original Year of Release - 1980
Format - vinyl LP album (LP record)
Record Label - Virgin
Catalogue No -
OVED140 (click link for more)
Country of Origin -
United Kingdom (UK)Language - Regardless of country of origin all tracks are sung in English, unless otherwise stated in our description.
Additional info - Deleted, Picture Sleeve
Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) - 5053201250311
Condition - This item is in Excellent condition or better (unless it says otherwise in the above description). We buy items as close to Mint condition as possible and many will be unplayed and as close to new as you could hope to find. Irrespective of the source, all of our collectables meet our strict grading and are 100% guaranteed.
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RareVinyl.com Ref No - HMLLPAB518542
Alternative Names - Pete Hammill,Peter Hamill,Peter Hammil.
Related Artists -
Colin Scot,
Echo City,
Jackson Banton Evans,
Nic Potter,
Pool Sharks,
The Koobas,
The Long Hello,
The Tigers,
Van Der Graaf Generator.
GENRES70s Rock,
70s Artists,
Progressive,
Singer/Songwriter.
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