Glass Hammer: The Inconsolable Secret

One quick look at the gorgeous Roger Dean designed packaging on The Inconsolable Secret, the latest epic recording from Glass Hammer, and you know you will be in for a whale of a ride down 70's styled progressive rock avenue. This time around, the band has put together a 2CD concept piece, part one which adornes the first disc is titled "The Knight" and the second part which concludes on disc two is "The Lady". Featuring loads of vintage keyboard sounds played by Fred Schendel and Steve Babb, like Moog, Mellotron, Hammond and pipe organ, and piano, there are also plenty of bombastic bass & bass pedals, ripping electric and pedal steel guitar work, nimble drums, plus a host of lead & backing vocals, as well as the Inconsolable Symphony and Choir who help out as well. All of this makes for a symphonic and majestic 98 minutes of classic progressive rock as only Glass Hammer can deliver.

The story is about a King and his loyal knights, set in medieval times. The King longs to have an heir, preferably a daughter, yet one of his minions (let's call him the Evil Knight) who is filled with jealousy and envy, wants to inherit the kingdom himself, and plots against the King and his plans to find a princess. It's a story of battles, revenge, jealousy, rage, envy, beauty, love, and happines, and music supports the story quite well. Vocally, the band does a great job portraying this epic tale, as there's plenty of melodic and powerful male vocals from Babb,Schendel, and Walter Moore, plus female vocals from Susie Bogdanowicz, Sarah Snyder, Bathany Warren, Flo Paris, and a few others including the Choir. Highlights, well, there are many, but the great thing is the two CD's have somewhat different flavors from each other. The first being a grand symphonic affair, with the two tracks, "A Maker of Crowns" and "The Knight of the North", both 15+ minute epics of complex prog rock packed with soaring keyboards and biting electric guitar work courtesy of Schendel, as Moore only contributes vocals here. The second disc, while still containing some ripping instrumental work, is more vocal oriented, and really helps tell and finish the story. Here, the vocals of the women really shine, and Schendel's lush keyboard work, especially on the Mellotron & piano, really stand out. Kudos also to drummer Matt Mendians, who really does a fine job, showing restraint when needed and bashing away during the more symphonic parts.

Surely The Inconsolable Secret is one of the Best Prog releases of 2005, and its grand scope and vintage sounds will carry it over into the hearts of genre fans for years to come. They now have had three absolute classics in a row with Lex Rex, Shadowlands, and now this one. It's well presented, well played, and just an overall classy product put together by a band that is further cementing their lofty status in the annals of American progressive rock. Highly recommended!

Track Listing
Disc One-The Knights
1. A Maker Of Crowns (15:21)
2. The Knight Of The North (24:39)

Disc Two-The Lady
1. Long And Long Ago (10:23)
2. The Morning She Woke (5:36)
3. Lirazel (4:30)
4. The High Place (3:33)
5. Morrigan's Song (2:23)
6. Walking Toward Doom (2:06)
7. Mog Ruith (2:03)
8. Through A Glass Darkly (6:55)
9. The Lady Waits (5:46)
10. The Mirror Cracks (2:12)
11. Having Caught A Glimpse (13:23)
Total Time: 98:26

Added: July 7th 2005
Reviewer: Pete Pardo
Score:
Related Link: Glass Hammer Website
Hits: 9172
Language: english

[ Printer Friendly Page ]
[ Send to a Friend ]