2005 GLASS HAMMER NEWS

Dec 28, 2005: Steve and Fred have completed work on the brand new Glass Hammer album, titled "The Compilations, 1996 to 2004." Within the next week or two, the new album will be available exclusively via Apple's iTunes Music Store. In the meantime, why not take a look at The Compilations, 1996 to 2004 album cover, and try to satisfy your insatiable GH appetite by visiting the new album's sampler page.

Dec 6, 2005: It's been a little quiet of late. What with the Belmont concert and such, the guys needed some much deserved rest. That said, there have been activities taking place. For example, mixing has begun on the live audio from the Belmont concert. Video editing should begin week. But wait ... there's more:

Just in time for the holidays, Glass Hammer will be releasing a brand new album. That's right, A NEW ALBUM!! But this one will be available exclusively via Apple's iTunes Music Store. The album will contain, among other tasty goodies, a never-before-heard epic titled, "At the Court of Alkinoos," which clocks in at just over twenty minutes. It should also include a live concert recording of "Time Marches On" from 1997, and Glass Hammer's cover of Camel's "Airborne" from 1996. Stay tuned for further details.

Oct 26, 2005: "Listen to Glass Hammer because you like the Moog solos and the Hammond organ. Listen because you like our songwriting. I think there is plenty here for any fan of symphonic-prog to relate to," says Steve Babb in an interview Steve and Fred recently did with ProgArchives. Be sure to check out the full interview ... it's a great read.

Oct 17, 2005: This month finds Steve and Fred being interviewed in Goldmine magazine. "For more than a decade, Glass Hammer have been writing and playing progressive rock music, with a nod toward the formative days of prog when Yes, ELP and others were establishing the analog keyboard sound associated with the genre," says Goldmine's Todd Whitesel. Be sure to visit the Goldmine website to read the entire interview.

Sep 22, 2005: Our intrepid bass player recently agreed to yet another interview, this time with Dr. Amy Sturgis for Heren Istarion: The North East Tolkien Society. Be sure to check it out.

Sep 20, 2005: Purchased your supply of The Inconsolable Secret high quality merchandise yet? If not, what are you waiting for? We know you've been meaning to order a few goodies, but just haven't gotten around to it yet. Well, we're going to help you finally take the plunge. From September 20 through October 31, you can take advantage of The Inconsolable Deal. Act during that time and get a gorgeous mousepad emblazoned with the beautiful Roger Dean Inconsolable Secret cover art for a special price of only $13.99. Click on the below images to see this beautiful mousepad in action. And after checking out the pics, cruise over to The Inconsolable Secret Store and buy a mousepad or two of your very own:

Sep 13, 2005: Be sure to check out the brand new Glass Hammer Album Sampler page. There you have access to high quality 1-minute samples of every cut from every Glass Hammer album. Looking for a great tool to help you in your Glass Hammer fan recruitment efforts? You'll find that the new sampler page fits the bill perfectly.

Sep 13, 2005: "The album features some stunning production quality throughout, great lyrics penned by Steve Babb, and impeccable musical arrangements. This is by far [Glass Hammer's] most elaborate, painstakingly detailed album. Spine-tingling melodies, brilliant solos, great, flowing compositions..." High praise indeed from ProgMontreal's Robert Dansereau in his review of The Inconsolable Secret. Click here to give the review a thorough read for yourself.

Sep 8, 2005: Glass Hammer is very pleased to announce the addition of David Wallimann to its new live lineup. David is creating quite a buzz on the progressive rock scene as one of its hottest new guitar virtuosos. He recently arrived in the U.S. from his native France. “We're very happy to include David in our live line-up," says Glass Hammer's Steve Babb. "He adds a whole new dimension to our sound."  David will make his first appearance with GH at the Nashville concert on November 5th. To learn more about David, take a cruise over to his website.

Aug 5, 2005: "I have a new favourite Glass Hammer song and it’s called “Having Caught A Glimpse”. Perfectly built as a mini symphony (with variations on a theme), things develop towards a grandiose choral finale. This is music that touches the heart and moves the soul." So begins a really nice interview by Prog-Nose's Christoph with Glass Hammer's own Steve Babb. Click here to give the full interview a thorough read.

Jul 25, 2005: Impressive reviews for The Inconsolable Secret continue to roll in. For example, check out these babies:

"The Inconsolable Secret is a tremendously adventurous and well-produced album of diverse progressive material. Glass Hammer continue to grow instrumentally and vocally, building on their past experience. This release recognizes the contributions of their stunning female singers, showcasing their voices significantly and letting them truly soar on the second CD in this set. The album is a progressive masterpiece that summarizes the path they have followed and shows that their journey is far from complete." -- 5 out of 5 stars, Musical Discoveries

"Another year and another release from the progressive giants, Glass Hammer. Since the early 90’s, they have constantly been releasing albums, and with every album they seem to grow more and more popular. With their trademark Hammond filled progressive rock; they have proved that it’s actually possible to create a unique sound, which doesn’t fit into any of the major prog-styles we found." -- 4.5 out of 5 crosses, Victoryzine.com

Jul 16, 2005: With the new album shipping to fans the world over, it's time to satify the insatiable appetites of the masses with -- drum roll, please -- The Inconsolable Secret merchandise. Take a cruise over to The Glass Hammer Merchandise Store, and select from high quality products, each sporting the beautiful cover art from The Inconsolalbe Secret. You can select from gorgeous custom large prints, mousepads, postcards, wall clocks, jewel boxes, and more. And over the coming days, we'll be adding addition Inconsolable Secret product. So don't delay; get your Inconsolable Secret merchandise today!

Jul 12, 2005: Today's the magic day: The highly anticipated release of Glass Hammer's The Inconsolable Secret. Already garnering rave reviews, The Inconsolable Secret is a veritable treat for the ears, and destined to become a progressive rock classic. Be sure to grab your copy today at the Glass Hammer Store.

Jul 10, 2005: In advance of the July 12 release of The Inconsolable Secret, reviews are beginning to pour in. Here are just a couple excerpts with which to whet your appetite:

"Surely The Inconsolable Secret is one of the Best Prog releases of 2005, and its grand scope and vintage sounds will carry it over into the hearts of genre fans for years to come. They now have had three absolute classics in a row with Lex Rex, Shadowlands, and now this one. It's well presented, well played, and just an overall classy product put together by a band that is further cementing their lofty status in the annals of American progressive rock. Highly recommended!" -- 5 out of 5 stars -- Pete Pardo, Sea of Tranquility

"Have Glass Hammer made that strong musical statement of their career with this release? Has The Inconsolable Secret gone beyond where they have ever gone before both musically and concept wise? I would say a definite yes! In my opinion calling this “prog album of 2005” would certainly be an understatement! I feel this could well be the prog album of the decade!! Yes I feel it’s THAT good and now that certainly is no Secret!" -- Progressive Ears

And there you have it, folks. If you haven't ordered your copy of The Inconsolable Secret, take a trip to the Glass Hammer Store and order yours today.

Jul 7, 2005: A strong and steady flow of pre-orders for The Inconsolable Secret are arriving each and every day, all in anticipation of the July 12 release date. Fans the world over who have already ordered will be happy to know their copy of The Inconsolable Secret will soon be arriving in their mailboxes. Those lucky enough to have ordered The Limited Edition Inconsolable Bundles should anticipate a July 12 ship date, and arrival shortly thereafter. If you have yet to order your copy of The Inconsolable Secret , we have but one question for you: What are you waiting for? Click here to order your copy today.

Jun 30, 2005: If you didn't get your Inconsolable Bundle yet, unfortunatelty it's too late. That's right. We're no longer taking orders for the Inconsolable Bundle. However, we still invite you to order the fantastic new album, The Inconsolable Secret.

Jun 14, 2005: Finally!! THE WAIT IS FINALLY OVER!! Hurry to the Glass Hammer Store and pre-order your copy of the much anticipated, long awaited new masterpiece album from Glass Hammer, The Inconsolable Secret. This double-album set contains 13 stunning new pieces of music from America's greatest progressive rock band, Glass Hammer. In addition, Disc One is an enhanced CD, and contains The Inconsolable Sessions, a behind-the-scenes video of the band recording the new album. Also included on the CD are The Inconsolable Secret lyrics in beautifully designed high-resolution PDF format, as well as a high-quality digital version of Roger Dean's gorgeous cover art painting, The Inconsolable Secret. Lastly, your CD contains The Lay of Lirazel, and epic poem by Steve Babb upon which The Inconsolable Secret is based.

Better yet, instead of ordering just the album itself, be one of only 1,500 fans in the world to proudly own The Inconsolable Bundle. The bundle includes the new enhanced double-album, The Inconsolable Secret, along with a very special limited edition black t-shirt. The front of this high quality shirt boasts The Inconsolable Secret cover art prepared by legendary artist, Roger Dean, along with the striking, new Glass Hammer logo. The back of the shirt sports the GH chop logo as well as the autographs of the entire band and Roger Dean himself.

But don't delay. Only 1,500 limited edition t-shirts will be produced, making them instant collector items. After supplies are exhausted--which is sure to be fast--this shirt design will never again be offered for sale. Order your Inconsolable Bundle today.

By the way, are you at all interested in hearing some high quality samples from The Inconsolable Secret? Then be sure to check out The Inconsolable Secret samples page. You'll find crystal clear one-minute samples from each of the songs contained on the album.

Jun 9, 2005: Approximately 120 choral singers will peform alongside Glass Hammer at the November 5th Nashville concert. Belmont's University Singers and Women's Choir will combine for what may well be a rock and roll first, and will perform music from Glass Hammer's 2002's masterwork, "Lex Rex", and the upcoming epic release "The Inconsolable Secret". Don't miss your chance to see this once-in-a-lifetime performance -- tickets are already on sale.

Jun 3, 2005: June 14, 2005. Mark that VERY important date on your calendar. What's so important about it? Well, it's the date we'll begin taking pre-orders for The Inconsolable Secret. You'll have the option of pre-ordering the new album by itself, or the very special limited edition Inconsolable Bundle which includes the new album along with a limited run collector's t-shirt featuring The Inconsolable Secret artwork by Roger Dean, and the autographs of the band and Roger Dean.

May 28, 2005: The wait is almost finally over. Soon the Glass Hammer Store will begin taking advance orders for The Inconsolable Secret, the epic new double-album set from Glass Hammer. The wait, while indeed torturous, will surely be worth it. The music itself is unbelievable; what's more, the album contains many surprises in addition to the music that make for a rare, immersive experience that we're sure you will absolutely love.

And to top everything off, the band will release a very special limited edition bundle to celebrate the release of The Inconsolable Secret. The Inconsolable Bundle will include the new album along with a very special limited edition Inconsolable Secret t-shirt. The front of this gorgeous black t-shirt contains Roger Dean's Inconsolable Secret painting along with the band's new logo. The back sports the beautiful GH chop logo, along with the autographs of the band and Roger Dean himself.

But remember, the limited edition Inconsolable Bundle is exactly that ... limited -- very limited. Only 1,500 bundles will be produced, and will never again be available after supplies are exhausted. And supplies are sure to go fast. So watch this page for advance order information ... then act quick and order your very own Inconsolable Bundle package.

May 28, 2005: Planning to attend this year's NEARfest, July 9 - 10? If so, be sure to stop by the Glass Hammer booth. Steve, Fred, and the lovely Bethany Warren will be on hand speaking with fans and signing autographs. Also, Roger Dean will make a special appearance or two at the Glass Hammer booth for autograph signing sessions. Watch this page for times and dates during which Roger will be at the Glass Hammer booth.

May 15, 2005: We'd like to take this opportunity to announce we are accepting pre-orders for CPR Volume 2 starting today. CPR Volume 2 features twelve artists, including Glass Hammer, Eric Parker, Neal Morse, and Dave Bainbridge, and many more. CPR Volume 2 boasts Glass Hammer's previously unreleased remake of "Heroes and Dragons," as well as Eric Parker's "Under The Sun" featuring Fred Schendel and Susie Bogdanowicz. We will have only 60 copies available for shipment around June 10, so don't miss out and be sure to order your copy today. Don't delay; supply is sure to go fast.

May 5, 2005: Soon the secret will be unleashed, released upon an eager and waiting world. Anticipation is high as fans the globe over count the days until they can get their hands on The Inconsolable Secret. To tide you over--or perhaps tease you further ... you decide--be sure to check out the just-released trailer for The Inconsolable Secret.

May 4, 2005: We have some BIG news to report regarding the new album, The Inconsolable Secret. The band has finished recording the album, and the mixing is complete. Now comes the final mastering and packaging. Be sure to keep you web browser tuned to this site for the latest information regarding the album's release date, and your chance to pre-order an autographed copy of your very own.

April 19, 2005: Pop-Thought has published a brand new interview with GH's own Steve Babb. Be sure to cruise over and check it out. Steve discusses many GH matters, including the upcoming album.

April 13, 2005: The band and other studio personnel are working long, grueling hours cutting the final tracks for the epic two-disc album, "The Inconsolable Secret." Steve has nearly completed his bass guitar tracks. The lead vocal, choir, and orchestra tracks are nearing their completion as well. Steve and Fred expect to begin mixing the album as early as next week, hoping to wrap up the project by May 1.

April 8, 2005: The band received the final piece of artwork from Roger Dean earlier this week. This time it's the new Glass Hammer "chop" logo. So take a deep breath, steady yourself, and take a good, long gander at this beautiful piece of work:

The new chop logo will make its offiical debut on the new album, "The Inconsolable Secret." And, of course, you'll also be able to get Glass Hammer branded apparel that sports the new chop logo, so be on the lookout.

And don't be shy. Be sure to cruise on over to the GH Forums and let us know what you think of the new chop logo.

April 6, 2005: The wait if finally over ... you can now stock up on high quality Glass Hammer Logo Merchandise, including apparel, homewares, clothing for toddlers, calendars, and much more. What's more, each item sports the dazzling, new Glass Hammer logo designed by Roger Dean. Show the world who your favorite band is by proudly displaying a wide variety of Glass Hammer logo products. And be sure to frequently check the Glass Hammer Logo Merchandise offerings; we'll be adding lots more goodies over the coming months.

April 5, 2005: Have you checked out the brand new Glass Hammer Web Store? If not, be sure to give it a visit. And while you're there, don't forget to round out your Glass Hammer catalog collection by ordering albums you don't yet have.

April 4, 2005: Work continues at a break-neck pace on "The Inconsolable Secret." Flo Paris flew in from California and contributed some amazing solo vocal work. Bethany Warren did her vocals April 2, and Walter Moore is doing his vocals today. All orchestra work is completed, with the exception of some additional viola and flute parts. AND NOW IT'S RUMOR TIME!! The grapevine has it that former Glass Hammer shred-meister, David Carter, will return to the fold to cut tracks with Fred and Steve in the very near future. Hmmm .... wonder what that could mean? Only time will tell.

April 4, 2005: Huge congratulations are in order for Steve, Fred, and the gang. Shadowlands was recognized as one of 2004's top progressive albums by Brazilian prog rock site, Rock Progressivo.

April 4, 2005: We have lots of pertinent info regarding early registration for "'Past Watchful Dragons': Fantasy and Faith in the World of C. S. Lewis." So much, in fact, that we've set up a special page with timely information directly from Belmont University.

March 29, 2005: It's time for more goodies, this time in the form of custom Glass Hammer desktop wallpaper for your computer. We've whipped up two desktop images for your enjoyment. Now you can make Glass Hammer a part of your computing experience.

These beauties are 1920x1200 in size, and available to all registered users of this site via the exclusive content page. If you're a regiestered user, dash over there and grab your desktop walpapers. If you're not yet a registered user, simply click the Registration button at the top of this page.

March 27, 2005: Welcome to our newly launched website. Please cruise around, check it out, and by all means, let us know what you think. Also, if there is content you'd like to see on the site, be sure to let us know that too.

March 27, 2005: There's lots of Glass Hammer/Roger Dean news to pass along. For starters, check out the gorgeous "The Inconsolable Secret" cover art prepared for us by Roger Dean:

Roger has graciously authorized this beautiful artwork be made available to all Glass Hammer fans in the form of high quality computer desktop art. You're welcome to download your copy today, but there's a catch: It's only available to registered users of the Glass Hammer site. As a registered member, you have access to exclusive content, including Roger's cover art. How do you register, you ask? Simple. Just click the "Registration" button at the top of the page.

Next, let's take a closer look at the new Glass Hammer logo Roger designed:

In addition to gracing our new website, it'll be on the new album as well as other merchandise ... which brings us to our next piece of Glass Hammer/Roger Dean news.

Be sure to watch this site for T-Shirts and posters sporting the new Roger Dean cover artwork and Glass Hammer logo.

Lastly, be sure to visit The Roger Dean Store. You'll find a wide selection of genuine Roger Dean products from which to select, including fine bone china, computer desktop artwork, fine art, and much more.

March 27, 2005: This is an update to let you know that the "'Past Watchful Dragons': Fantasy and Faith in the World of C. S. Lewis" website has been thoroughly updated with detailed conference and concert information. Please note that online registration and ticket sales begin April 1, 2005.

March 11, 2005: Here's an update on the new album, "The Inconsolable Secret:" The cover art is complete. The lyrics are 80% done. Susan Hawkins of The Adonia String Trio picked up three, 80 page books of string scores. We're scoring the remaining choral parts. Matt will be here tomorrow to record the last of his drum parts. Susie will be here tomorrow to work on vocals. And Steve is driving to Knoxville on Monday to work with Walter on vocals. Eric will be in Tuesday night to get his parts together for acoustic guitar. And last but not least... after months of therapy and two surgeries on his wrist as a result of his November 2004 accident, Steve CAN STILL PLAY BASS!!!

February 25, 2005: Glass Hammer albums are now available on Apple's iTunes Music Store. We're the only modern-prog band to have that distinction. This of course means that we are cooler than the other bands, which we already knew. :-)

February 24, 2005: Massey Auditorium, Belmont University, Nashville, TN, November 5, 2005 ... be sure to mark it on your calendars and here's why: Salem Hill will be performing, followed directly by Glass Hammer. Is that cool or what? But it gets cooler still. Following the Glass Hammer concert, just across the courtyard from Massey Auditorium, there will be a performance of Howard Shore's "Lord of the Rings" symphony by the Nashville Symphony and Choir. Details are scanty, but that's the plan. One HUGE day of music inspired by Tolkien and Lewis performed by prog bands, orchestras and choirs! Be sure not to miss it.