Symphonic Prog
USA
70's driven symphonic rock, with strong keyboard orientation, specifically Hammond organs a la ELP. Instrumentally, they come from the ELP, GREENSLADE and YES school of thought, and the PINK FLOYD class in the vocal department. They have a superb melodic flow to the music they make, encapsulating real power and dynamics without ever becoming overpowering. Without a doubt, GH remain one of the most popular groups in the progressive rock genre. All the albums are very conceptual, and there is great musicianship overall.
Their first three albums ("Journey Of The Dunadan", "On To Evermore" and "Perelandra") all sold consistently, but it was not until year 2000 when their 4th album "Chronometree" was released that they really started to take off in terms of big sales. This album is a phenomenal, mostly instrumental prog epic into their own wonderful brand of stylish symphonic rock. "Middle Earth Album" is really only for GLASS HAMMER collectors. "Lex Rex" is their new studio album, and it's the REAL follow-up to "Chronometree". "Lex" is a prog fan's dream, featuring all their best instrumental sounds and strong vocal arrangements on brilliantly constructed tracks that offer a variety of styles. Recommended for fans of Hammond organ appreciators...
"Shadowlands" combines the legendary talents of prog-icons Steve BABB and Fred SCHENCHEL, the incredible vocals of Walter MOORE and Susie BOGDANOWICZ, a half-million dollar pipe organ, a string section, an arsenal of analog gear, and all the magic that modern recording technology has to offer. GLASS HAMMER's "Shadowlands" delivers everything that modern progressive rock should be: the vintage sounds, the contemporary production, the epic style.
Once more the Hammond screams and the Moog soars! Prog is alive and well; "Shadowlands" is proof. Check out the links below for more information about this astounding new release from GLASS HAMMER."
by GLASS HAMMER
ALBUMS:
1995 - PERELANDRA
Musicians
- Stephen DeArqe / vocals, keyboards, bass, Taurus pedals, zoomitar
- Fred Schendel / vocals, keyboards, guitar, drums
- Walter Moore / vocals, guitar
- Michelle Young / vocals
- Milton Hamerick / steel guitar
- Randy Burt / saxophone
- Tracy Cloud / vocals
- David Carter / acoustic guitar
1. Now Arriving (2:00)
2. Time Marches On (10:36)
3. Illusion (9:05)
4. The Way to Her Heart (4:43)
5. Felix the Cat (2:31)
6. Now Departing (1:05)
7. Perelandra (8:07)
8. Le Danse Final (5:18)
9. That Hideous Strength (3:54)
10. Enda the Lion (1:02)
11. Into the Night (4:40)
12. Heaven (8:37)
Total Time:61:53
Look!!
(flac)
1998 - ON TO EVERMORE
Musicians
- Fred Schendel / lead and backing vocals, keyboards, guitars, sitar, mandolin, flute, drums
- Steve Babb / lead and backing vocals, keyboards, bass, percussion
- Walter Moore / lead and backing vocals, guitars, drums
- David Carter / backing vocals, guitar
and help from Bob Stagner, Tracy Cloud, Kristy Sink, Tony Smith and Tatyana
1. On To Evermore (7:00)
2. The Mayor Of Longview (5:26)
3. The Conflict (5:45)
4. Muse (1:06)
5. Arianna (16:41)
6. Only Red (5:18)
7. This Fading Age (5:13)
8. Junkyard Angel (8:58)
9. Twilight On Longview (5:47)
10. Wind (hidden track) (1:23)
Total Time: 62:37
Look!!
(flac)
2001 - THE MIDDLE EARTH ALBUM
Musicians
- Steve Babb / vocals, bass, keyboards, percussion
- Fred Schendel / vocals, keyboards, guitars, mandolin, percussion, wind instruments
- Walter Moore / vocals
- Susie Bogdanowicz / vocals
- Felicia Sorensen / vocals
- Sarah Snyder / vocals
- Thomas Hammett / vocals
- David Luther / vocals
- Tim Starnes / violin
- Jamie Watkins / backing vocals
- Brad Marler / vocals
- Bob Stagner / percussion
1. Elrenn and Endereth (2:33)
2. The Old Troll (1:56)
3. The Old Troll and the Maiden (5:58)
4. Dwarf and Orc (3:53)
5. The King's Beer (2:41)
6. The Ballad of Balid Longbeard (4:11)
7. The Man in the Wood (3:27)
8. Mirkwood (2:12)
9. As I Walk (2:34)
10. The Last Ship (2:41)
11. Mithrandir (This Fading Age) (5:08)
12. Sweet Goldberry (4:41)
13. No Crown for Balin (3:07)
Total Time: 45:16
look!!
(flac)
2005 - THE INCONSOLABLE SECRET
- 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 cocals & 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"
Tracks Listing
1. A Maker Of Crowns (15:21)
2. The Knight Of The North (24:39)
Disc Two
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
look!!
(flac)
2007 - CULTURE OF ASCENT
Musicians
- Fred Schendel / Nord electro 2, NordLead 2, piano, Bela D Media D-synth, organs, electric piano, mellotron, additional synths, loops and programming, acoustic guitar, string arrangements and backing vocals
- Steve Babb / bass guitar, pipe organ, Taurus pedals, the Free Note, assorted percussion, mellotron, piano, harp, loops, programming, Mini-Moog and backing vocals
- Carl Groves / lead and backing vocals
- Susie Bogdanowicz / lead and backing vocals
- Matt Mendians / drums
- David Wallimann / electric guitars
- Rebecca James / violin
- Susan Whitacre / viola
- Rachel Beckmann / cello
Guest musicians:
- Sarah Snyder/ backing vocals
- Eric Parker / acoustic guitar
- Robert Streets / backing vocals
- Haley McGuire / backing vocals
- Jon Anderson / vocals
1. South Side Of The Sky (9:24)
2. Sun Song (9:33)
3. Life By Light (7:29)
4. Ember Without Name (16:33)
5. Into Thin Air (19:14)
6. Rest (6:30)
Total Time: 68:43
look!!
(flac)
