Year : 2022
Style : Symphonic Progressive Rock , Female vocals
Country : United States
Audio : 320 kbps + scans
Size : 143 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:
"At The Gate", the third album of the Skallagrim trilogy, is set for release on October 7. The new album follows "Dreaming City" (2020) and "Skallagrim - Into The Breach" (2021), bringing the story of the ‘thief with the screaming sword’ to its conclusion. Vocalist Hannah Pyror is back to front the group and is joined by band leader Steve Babb, keyboardist Fred Schendel and drummer Aaron Raulston. In addition, vocalists Jon Davison (Yes) and John Beagley (Life In Digital) will contribute as well as guitarist Reese Boyd. Babb says to expect another 70s metal-influenced project, but also promises a return to the symphonic prog sound the band is best known for.“An album can be both things”, he claims. “Since the inception of the trilogy in 2020, it’s been my intention to tell this sword and sorcery-inspired tale with appropriate music. And to do that, I needed the sound to evolve toward something grand by the end of the third album. Skallagrim’s story is one of lost joy, of grief and longing, and ultimately of a worn-down swordsman’s coming to grips with what the world can and cannot offer him. It’s probably the most important story we’ve ever told through music, so important to me that it led me to retell it in novels.” Babb’s book, “Skallagrim - In The Vales Of Pagarna,” was released in March of this year. Babb adds: “So, for those who love our newer, edgier sound, they won’t be disappointed. But I’ve brought back the pipe organ, the choirs and the sweeping ballads for those who miss the sounds of our earlier albums. I think it works, but the fans will be the ones to decide!”
Line Up:
Hannah Pryor / vocals
Steve Babb / keyboards, bass
Fred Schendel / keyboards, guitars
Aaron Raulston / drums
+ guests:
Jon Davison / vocals
John Beagley / vocals
Reece Boyd / guitar
Tracklist:
01. The Years Roll By
02. Savage
03. North of North
04. All Alone
05. All for Love
06. Snowblind Girl
07. Standing at the Gate (of Zagzagel)
08. In the Shadows
09. It's Love
Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/
