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To all those who may be trying to
convince you that all is not well in the world of symphonic
progressive rock I’m happy to tell you nothing could be further
from the truth. They may suggest that it’s a tired genre with
nothing new to offer. I don’t buy that and one listen to the
brand new double CD release from Glass Hammer entitled The
Inconsolable Secret provides ample proof that the symphonic
genre is not only alive and well but is bristling with new
and inventive sounds. ***
Steve Babb and Fred Schendel along
with band mates Susie Bogdanowicz, Matt Mendians and Walter
Moore have really out done themselves this time. This two
CD package comes with an epic story composed in epic fashion.
Compositions that run as short as two-minutes and as long
as twenty-four minutes with lots in between. Disc one has
two tracks, one – 15:21 and the other – 24:39 and also comes
with bonus material including PDF files for the lyrics and
the story behind the story as well as a QuickTime video of
some of the sessions. There’s even a Roger Dean desktop image
of the amazing art work he’s created for this release. As
always Dean’s art work and font creation fit so marvelously
well with the progressive rock genre. Disc two has a total
of eleven tracks completing the story. ***
Speaking of the story, the concept
behind these compositions revolves around a series of events
in Steve Babbs life involving his coming into possession of
a number of paintings showing a young woman painted in medieval
times. More than simply portraits these paintings reflected
moments captured in time and conveyed all the emotions of
her life. Inspired by these images Babbs created an epic poem
which then became the lyrics for The Inconsolable Secret.
***
Musically there is so much here
that it’s virtually impossible to describe it all. Suffice
to say there are musical elements from their previous work
such as Lex Rex and Chronometree but then there is a lot more.
You’ll hear the expected Glass Hammer prog style, there are
also some medieval or Celtic influences, and then there’s
the full blown classical orchestration. The first disc tends
to stick a little closer to their previous styles with loads
of Hammond and Mellotron all layered against an ever moving
bass line. It’s a style that Glass Hammer has perfected with
its recurring themes and musical motifs. But it’s on disc
two where things get really interesting with the inclusion
of the female vocalists and a full orchestra backed with an
amazing choir. The sound here is anthemic, full and lush and
integrated seamlessly into the more traditional prog rock
elements. ***
In some ways The Inconsolable Secret
plays like a soundtrack to a movie. This is especially true
of the compositions on the second disc, where orchestral instrumentals
create mystery, suspense and even fear in the theatre of the
mind. You owe it to yourself to read the lyrics to get the
full impact of the drama in this work. With over an hour and
a half of music this is truly a masterpiece that culminates
in the 13-minute “Having Caught a Glimpse” with some of the
most majestic emotionally charged music I’ve ever experienced.
Glass Hammer’s Inconsolable Secret is going to be a tough
act to follow. This is symphonic progressive rock of the highest
order and gets my highest recommendation. ***
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