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: : Glass Hammer - The
Inconsolable Secret : : |
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Band/Artist
Glass Hammer
Title:
The Inconsolable Secret
Released
2005
Label
Arion Records |
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Disc 1:
The Knights
1. A Maker of Crowns
2. The Knight of the North
Disc 2: The Lady
1. Long and Long Ago
2. The Morning She Woke
3. Lirazel
4. The High Place
5. Morrigan’s Song
6. Walking Toward Doom
7. Mog Ruith
8. Through a Glass Darkly
9. The Mirror Cracks
10. Having Caught a Glimpse |
: : The Players : :
Fred Schendel Keyboards, Electric & Steel Guitars,
Vocals | Steve Babb Keyboards, Bass Guitar, Vocals | Matt Mendians Drums
| Walter Moore Vocals | Susie Bogdanowicz Vocals |
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: : The Inconsolable Secret : :
I’ve been a Glass Hammer fan since around 1997.
Just their name alone always struck me as a totally cool name certainly
for a progressive rock band. But clearly it is this band’s music that
sets it apart and that is why I truly love them so much.
The funny thing about Glass Hammer is it seems you either like them or
you don’t. Not much of a middle ground with these guys. Some call their
music redundant, unoriginal, boring, and even a total musical rip off of
things long since past and dead. Others like me find each and every
release a musical treat that graces the pallet with a wide range of
sonic colors and tastes. Do they tip their hat to the top progressive
rock bands from the early 70’s? Well of course and I have no real
problem with that. Do they operate in a world of mystery and
imagination? Of fallen nobility seeking to regain the lost honor of past
times? Of tales of Middle Earth and all that means? Well, yes, and what
exactly is wrong with that? To my ears, while there are similarities in
each release, these guys seem to keep maturing and putting more heart
and soul into each release.
This brings us to “The Inconsolable Secret”. Like a laser beam cutting a
path to the stars, this double CD is chocked full of major riffs,
monstrous keyboards, singing guitar work, erotic vocals and yes of
course a story of greed and desire destroying all that was good and
sound.
The first CD consists of two extremely long songs telling the story of a
King with four loyal Knights. Knights of the North, South, East & West.
In the opening song “A Maker of Crowns” the King is making a crown but
not for those that fought and built the Kingdom in the first place.
Along with this story you find the Knight of the North losing his honor
and falling victim to his own greed and desires.
The King seemingly alone and with a need to be loved plans this new
forged crown of silver, gold and jewels for his yet unborn daughter.
The Knight of the North, now completely devoid of his honor and glory
has turned to his greed, desire, and lust for the crown that he feels
should be his.
Thus the epic battle between good
and evil, of right vs. wrong, of those that have being betrayed by those
that were trusted and want.
The opening song and the second “The Knight of the North” tell the tale
of the battle and the King’s ultimate victory over the betrayer, the
Knight of the North but not before the Knight of the East is slain in
battle.
The second disc is called The Lady and is a series of much shorter songs
including orchestration and choral parts that really place this CD in a
league of its own.
Also included on this CD are parts for the PC or Mac that have all the
lyrics, video sessions of the recording of the CD and a slew of Roger
Dean desktop art. Oh, I have been remiss in not noting that Roger Dean
did all the artwork for this CD and it is brilliant in every way.
So, if you are a Glass Hammer fan this will be exactly your cup of tea.
If you have never liked them and think of Glass Hammer as simply
something old warmed over then you probably won’t like this release. But
if you’ve been on the fence then I suggest giving it a listen. As a
person that has all their stuff, this one clearly puts it all together
in one exciting and wonderful musical package.
Rating: 8.5 of 10
Reviewed By: Stephen Ellis
: : Visit the Artist’s Website : :
: : Discography : :
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
Shadow lands - 2004
Live At Nearfest - 2004
Lex Live (DVD) - 2004
The Inconsolable Secret - 2005 |
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