The Glass Hammer releases just keep coming! Here we have a VHS documenting the history of this progressive rock band and also covering the making of the new CD Lex Rex. It's a fascinating and enjoyable watch, and the narrative by Steve Babb and Fred Schendel add great insight to the videos and live footage contained on the tape.
Chock full of historical Glass Hammer artifacts, the VHS starts off with the rare video "Morning Song" off of the unreleased album Faith and Reason. Judging by the awesome nature of this prog anthem, this is an album I'd like to hear someday should the band decide to release it. Featuring majestic keyboards, meaty guitar leads, and the trademark Glass Hammer vocal harmonies (neat homage to Gentle Giant on the vocals here), this is a classic from the band. "A is A" from the same unreleased album, is also included, and while more in a hard rock style, is also a fun tune. Footage from the Perelandra cover photo shoot, as well as the first ever video the band shot "The Way to Her Heart" rounds out some of the very early video archives.
What most will really want to see is the live footage, rare as it is considering how few live gigs the band has played over the years. Clips from 1993 (with Walter Moore and the beautiful Michelle Young in the band), Progscape 1995 (David Carter's first time with the band), and 1997 are featured, and while grainy and poorly shot, provide insight into the awesome power of this band. A real treat is the inclusion of footage of the band Wyzards, a prog-metal band so-to-speak that Babb and David Carter formed back in the early 80's. Clips from early and mid 80's recorded in the South (complete with Rush pyrotechnics and lots of 80's hair spray) as well as reunion shots from 1997 are shown, including the full song "Phantoms."
Rounding out the VHS is the "Mirkwood" video from the Middle Earth album, "A Perfect Carousel" from Chronometree featuring Brad Marler on vocals, and the "Tales of the Great Wars" video from Lex Rex, featuring Schendel on multiple instruments! Those new to Glass Hammer might be advised to check out this tape, and get a nice overview of the bands history and music, while die-hard fans will love to add this to their growing collection of Glass Hammer releases.
Printer Friendly Page
Send to a Friend
