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GLASS HAMMER: The Inconsolable Secret

Release

Style

2005 already proves to be a very fruitful year for the American prog scene. K² and Little Atlas delivered great albums so far, and I’m already looking forward to this summer’s release of the new 2CD-set by ‘aquatic’ prog rockers Lands End. But hold on a minute, since Glass Hammer deserve our full attention here with their own new double album “The Inconsolable Secret”. Let’s hope their music doesn’t remain a well kept secret, because these guys deserve a huge audience.

Barely one year ago, GH made one of five best albums of 2004 with the excellent “Shadowlands”. A string section was introduced here to add up to the dramatic flavour. On the new album the guys turned to a full-blown orchestra and choir, thus increasing the epic grandeur of the music. Matt Mendians, who joined in for live gigs, attended duties in the studio, resulting in some very fine art-rock drumming in the vein of Carl Palmer. It all adds up to the vintage synth sound Glass Hammer provide like the very best, with their battery of pipe organs, Moog and Mellotron. The heritage of Rick Wakeman and Keith Emerson is in safe hands here. The Grand Piano produces grand overtures to the epic scaled compositions. On the second disk the heroism is mixed with lovely medieval pieces and parts for orchestra and choir. The Yes influence is evident in the vocal harmonies, Steve Babb’s incredible bass and Fred Schendel’s steel guitar, paying tribute to Mr. Chris Squire and Mr. Steve Howe respectively. Not to mention the closing track “Having Caught A Glimpse”, that reminds me of the gigantic “Awaken”. These guys really know how to save the best for the grand finale!

As the title suggests, this is a somewhat darker GH album than we’re used to. The first disc tells the story of the Knight Of The North, whose heart is taken by envy and greed. He decides to kill his king, since the crown he has fought for is destined for the king’s unborn daughter Lirazel. Yet the king defeats the treacherous knight, who’s swallowed up by the earth. On the second disc a forgotten tale is revealed: the inconsolable secret, murmured by angels from Heaven. Being the king’s heir, princess Lirazel must marry and in search for her knight in shining armour, she wanders through the forest beneath the secret tower. She denounces her father’s warning and climbs the misty tower. There she finds a mirror, a “window to the world” that confronts her with the inconsolable truth: the mirror vaguely reflects the life she cannot have. It looks as if she is the victim of a curse (the revenge of the Knight Of The North), and ignoring this she finally dies. But in fact she has freed herself from her tower prison.

Unnecessary to say that fans of Tolkien and the tales of Lancelot and Camelot will be thrilled by this epos. They will surely study the few Latin and Elvish verses closely. The story about knights (CD 1) and a lady (CD 2) is based upon “The Lay Of Lirazel”, an epic poem written by Steve Babb. He redefines here the epic concept in rock, since he got inspired by ancient paintings and the poem “The Lady Of Shallot” by Alfred Lord Tennyson. But Babb made this lady figure his very own, resulting in “The Inconsolable Secret”. The music is constituted as the soundtrack for the poem. You can read the whole, well written story behind Babb’s creative process on the enhanced first CD, altogether with the poem itself and the lyrics that are pulled from it. As another extra, a video of the recording sessions for this wonderful new Glass Hammer gem is added. This 2CD-set offers plenty of enjoyment, and will prove to be one of the most interesting prog rock pieces in recent years.

Soon on Prog-Nose: an interview with the band.

Musicians

Fred Schendel: Keyboards, Electric Guitar, Steel Guitar, Vocals
Steve Babb: Keyboards, Bass Guitar, Vocals
Walter Moore: Vocals
Susie Bogdanowicz: Vocals
Matt Mendians: Drums
Guest musicians
Sarah Snyder: Featured Soprano
Bethany Warren: Backing Vocals & Girls Choir
Flo Paris: Vocals on “Long and Long Ago” and “Having Caught a Glimpse”
Eric Parker: Acoustic Guitar
Laura Lindstrom: Vocals on “Morrigan’s Song”
David Carter: Lead Guitar on “Long and Long Ago”
With The Inconsolable Symphony and Choir featuring
The Adonia String Trio
Rebecca James (concert master and violin),
Susan Hawkins (viola), and Rachel Hackenberger (cello)
Randall Williams: conductor

Journey Of The Dunadan (1993)
Perelandra (1995)
Live And Revived (1997)
On To Evermore (1998)
Chronometree (2000)
The Middle Earth Album (2001)
Lex Rex (2002)
Shadowlands (2004)
Live At Nearfest (2004)
Lex Live (DVD) (2004)
The Inconsolable Secret (2005)

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Last updated: 31 juli 2005 .
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