ABC Records, also in 1970. It featured a different cover than the U.K. version. The title is taken from artist John Minton: "We're all awash in a sea of blood, and the least we can do is wave to each other." To promote the album, the group played "Darkness (11/11)" and "After the Flood" on a session for BBC Radio 1. These recordings were later released on the box set The Box. In April 1970, the group performed "Darkness" and "Whatever Would Robert Have Said?" for the German television show Beat Club, with Jethro Tull appearing on the same show. Reception The album was the first (and only) by the band to reach the top 50 in the UK. Critical reception was favourable; a review in International Times said the album was the best debut since King Crimson's In the Court of the Crimson King, while a reviewer in Time Out said it was "the strongest thing I've heard in a long time". In the Q & Mojo Classic Special Edition Pink Floyd & The Story of Prog Rock, the album came #15 in its list of "40 Cosmic Rock Albums". François Couture, reviewing the album in AllMusic, described Hammill's distorted delivery of the word "Annihilation" in "After the Flood" to be "one of the scariest moments in the history of British prog rock". In his 1997 History of Progressive Rock, Paul Stump assessed that while the album is harmonically and structurally similar to contemporary progressive rock works by Genesis and Yes, it does contain hints of the more unique work Van der Graaf Generator would later produce, particularly Jackson's "snaggling, niggling Coltrane-ish saxophone". Jackson decided not to play "White Hammer" to a friend while his children were present, afraid they would be frightened by the music. Track listing All songs written by Peter Hammill, except as noted. (Published by Stratsong Ltd.) Personnel Van der Graaf Generator Peter Hammill – acoustic guitar and lead vocals; piano on "Refugees" David Jackson – tenor and alto saxophone, flute and backing vocals Hugh Banton – organ, piano and backing vocals Nic Potter – bass guitar and electric guitar Guy Evans – Drums and percussion Additional musicians Mike Hurwitz – cello on "Refugees" Gerry Salisbury – cornet on "White Hammer" Production Van der Graaf Generator – arrangements John Anthony – producer Robin Geoffrey Cable – recording and engineering Sales chart performance References Notes Citations