Year : 2023
Style : Symphonic Progressive Rock , Female vocals
Country : United States
Audio : 320 kbps + scans
Size : 139 mb
Bio:
Glass Hammer is an American progressive rock band from Chattanooga, Tennessee. They formed in 1992 when multi-instrumentalists Steve Babb and Fred Schendel began to write and record “Journey of the Dunadan”, a concept album based on the story of Aragorn from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. To their surprise, the album sold several thousand units via the Internet, The QVC Shop-At-Home Network, and their own toll-free order number. As such, Babb and Schendel were convinced that the band was a project worth continuing. The stage was then set for a successful career that now includes numerous albums, DVDs and an enthusiastic, world-wide fan base that continues to grow at a steady rate.While many musicians have appeared on Glass Hammer albums over the years, Babb and Schendel have remained the core creative force of the band. Both play a variety of instruments, but Babb is better known as the bassist while Schendel is the primary keyboardist. And though they also sing, a number of other vocalists (most notably Michelle Young, Walter Moore, Susie Bogdanowicz, Carl Groves and Jon Davison) have also handled lead vocal duties.Lyrically, Glass Hammer is inspired mostly by their love of literature (most notably Tolkien, C. S. Lewis and John Krakauer) and Babb’s love of Victorian prose and medieval mythology. Musically, they lean towards 70′s driven symphonic rock, focusing on epic-length songs anchored by Babb’s distinctive bass guitar work and strong keyboard playing from Schendel; specifically Hammond organs in the tradition of ELP. They have a superb melodic flow to the music they make, encapsulating real power and dynamics without ever becoming overpowering. Their most apparent influences are Yes, ELP, Genesis, and, to a less noticeable extent, Camel. Fans and critics are usually quick to attest that Glass Hammer have managed to combine those influences into a unique style all their own.Critically acclaimed albums have continued to flow from the Glass Hammer studio, with the most successful and noteworthy being “Chronomtree” (2000), “Lex Rex” (2002), “The Inconsolable Secret” (2005) and “IF” (2010). Vocalists and fan-favorites Carl Groves and Susie Bogdanowicz took a temporary hiatus from the band after 2009 and vocalist Jon Davison took over as lead vocalist for three studio albums; “IF”, “Cor Cordium” and “Perilous”. Kamran Alan Shikoh joined the band at the same time taking on the role of guitarist.Both Shikoh and Davison remain in the group currently, though Davison has also assumed the role as front-man for Yes. This led to Carl Groves rejoining the Glass Hammer in 2013 for live performances and recording. Aaron Raulston joined at the same time as drummer for the group. Susie Bogdanowicz rejoined in late 2013 and is slated to appear along with Raulston, Groves and Shikoh in 2014 concerts.Glass Hammer’s “Ode To Echo” release for 2014 features performances by many of the band’s vocalists, including Bogdanowicz, Young, Moore and Davison, though Carl Groves is handling the lion’s share of the vocal duties for the band. The current official lineup for Glass Hammer is Babb, Schendel, Groves, Shikoh, Raulston, Bogdaniwcz and Davison.Other prog musicians and rock artists have made contributions to Glass Hammer projects, including Jon Anderson of Yes, Arjen Lucassen, Rich Williams and David Ragsdale of Kansas, Rob Reed of Magenta and Randy Jackson of Zebra. Glass Hammer has also appeared with The Adonia String Trio and performed two concerts (2006-2007) with 120 plus member choirs from Belmont University and Lee University.
Album:
Glass Hammer shoots for the stars with a new concept album, "Arise". Set against the backdrop of deep space exploration, "Arise" follows the extraordinary journey of an android dispatched by overzealous scientists to uncover the galaxy's hidden wonders. The album's lyrics, liner notes and artwork convey a tale of cosmic dread and wonder that doesn't begin with a big bang, but - according to Glass Hammer mastermind Steve Babb - definitely ends with one. He's joined by singer Hannah Pryor and guitarist Reese Boyd for Glass Hammer's twenty-first studio album. "Arise is my progressive rock spin on space rock", says Babb. "I'm still flirting with doom metal on a couple of songs, as we did on the last two albums, but there's also psych rock and even 80s influence going on in the music. Even so, it's very much a prog rock album, just one that touches on other styles." Babb goes on to make a bold claim. "We've always been big on finales", he says. "But the final track on Arise is like nothing we've done before. It's an epic-length instrumental prog rock jam meant to leave our fans' jaws on the floor!"
Line Up:
Hannah Pryor / vocals
Steve Babb / keyboards, bass
Fred Schendel / keyboards, guitars
Randall Williams / drums
+ guests:
Reece Boyd / guitar
Tracklist:
01. Launch Of The Daedalus
02. Wolf359
03. Arion (18 Delphini b)
04. Maresirenum
05. Lost
06. Rift At Wasp 12
07. Proximacentaurib
08. Arise
09. The Return Of Daedalus
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