Glass Hammer's new album "Perilous" - latest news

From what I've heard out of the Perilous samples, I think Glass Hammer is moving in a good direction, despite the sound being a lot similar to what we've already heard in If and Cor Cordium. I think with Perilous the band has finally established their true "progressive rock" sound. I realize that some people find GH to be a Yes-clone band, but the more I listen to them and compare it to Yes, I actually see the originality of GH. As of right now I like Glass Hammer better than Yes, because the "ambitious" GH albums seem more rewarding than those of Yes (ex. The Inconsolable Secret vs. Tales from Topographic Oceans).

Aussie-Byrd-Brother wrote: Good call Tony! I very rarely listen to samples, I just buy the album outright and look forward to being surprised by it! I know with Glass Hammer to expect some high-qaulity symphonic epic progressive rock with wonderful playing, thoughtful lyrics and melodic vocals, and I'm happy to support a band that's giving me a lot of enjoyment over the years! However....I couldn't possibly write off `Topographic Oceans' compared to `I.Secret'! Both equally impressive me and win my repect and admiration, two albums I've listened to and enjoyed endlessly!

Thanks for the update, CStack3!

Really looking forward to this, and I think you made our day when you dropped the `female vocals' tidbit!

I won't listen to the samples, I just like to be surprised when the CD shows up!

You're lucky living in the States, more chance of getting to see them, and a whole bunch of other prog acts, too!

Not like Australia!! We've been lucky enough to have Yes, Unitopia, Porcupine Tree over the last few years, and in a few weeks Goblin in Melbourne - can't quite get over that! - but there's so many acts I'll never get a chance to see unless some serious travelling is involved!

To be honest, when Yes played back in (I think?) March of this year, with Jon from Glass Hammer on vocals, I secretly hoped that he'd bring the rest of the Hammer boys along to be the support act!

Would have been great exposure to the group, I think a lot of the crowd would have gone for them, though they probably would have run the risk of upstaging the main act!

Of the current crop of Aussie progressive music, artists like:
Symphonic prog - Myriad and Ben Craven
Neo-prog - Anubis and Unitopia
instantly come to mind! All on the Archives and worth looking into!

Then there's also the younger ones more related to the metal/heavy prog sounds like Kettlespider and Montresor that are showing heaps of potential too!

I know there's more, that's just off the top of my head!

AEProgman wrote: However, now I have a dilemma.  I am way behind on my GH albums, was about to get IF as I have Cor Cordium, now Perilous is out.  Guess it is time to catch up...

Ha, AE, that's a pretty cool dilemna to be in! "Oh no, too many Glass Hammer albums to have to listen to, whatever shall I do?!"

I read one or two promo/interview articles on the net about the newie `Perilous', and the main members seem to think it's a lot darker lyrically and musically, so I can't wait! Perhaps wait for that and check it out with us!

I might break my rule and give some of the samples on Itunes/Amazon a quick listen...   

AEProgman wrote: ^ I can vouch (not that its worth anything ) for Anubis, the album A Tower of Silence is very good.  This album seems more symphonic to me as another PA member mentioned to me his recommendation of them, although PA has them listed as neo. Also saw Yes with Jon Davison this past summer, was very pleased with his performance.  I was unaware that he had replaced Benoit until the concert began, that made it so much better!   I am pleased to hear GH has a new release out, can't wait.  However, now I have a dilemma.  I am way behind on my GH albums, was about to get IF as I have Cor Cordium, now Perilous is out.  Guess it is time to catch up...

BIG NEWS!

Plane Groovy records are thrilled to announce that we will be releasing the new Glass Hammer album “Perilous” at the beginning of December. The album, limited to just 500 numbered copies, will be pressed on 180g vinyl and will include three previously unreleased tracks.

The Band

Glass Hammer is a symphonic-progressive rock band from the United States. While there are plenty of new converts to their music since vocalist Jon Davison was selected to be the new singer for Yes, in fact the band formed in 1992. Many musicians have appeared on Glass Hammer albums, however throughout the years, Steve Babb and Fred Schendel have remained the core of the band.

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, with strong keyboard orientation; specifically Hammond organs in the tradition of ELP.   Their most apparent influences are Yes, ELP, Genesis, and, to a less noticeable extent, Camel.

The Album

For 2012, Babb, Schendel, Alan Shikoh and Davison return with the much anticipated PERILOUS, the follow up to 2010's IF and 2011's Cor Cordium. PERILOUS liner notes read more like earlier Glass Hammer albums with a list of choral members, The Adonia String Trio and even a new female vocalist. But perhaps the comparisons to previous titles ends there.

"We have never done a concept album like PERILOUS," admits GH co-founder Steve Babb. "It is essentially one unified vision; one musical idea in thirteen parts or movements. The emotions and ideas expressed in the lyrics ebb and flow with the music; but they have a definite story to tell with a beginning, middle and climactic end."

And what is that story about?

Babb prefers to allow listeners the chance to interpret the ultimate meaning for themselves, but he did drop some hints. “It should be obvious from the album art and the title PERILOUS that something dire is lurking just beyond that gate. Imagine two children lost in a cemetery at night and the unsavory characters they might meet as they try to find their way home. That is the setting for our allegory."

Ordering Information

Plane Groovy are accepting pre-orders from midnight UK time on the 5th of November. As with all of our releases, we are offering a special shipping rate to North America and Canada; this will take slightly longer than using UK mail but will cost around $6.00 instead of $21.00. When placing your order, please make sure that you choose the correct option for your location.

Come to www.planegroovy.com and place your order now! If you have any queries you can email me directly via [email protected]