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Where do you start with a DVD live performance that moves
you to tears? I’m talking of course of the new 2-disc DVD
release from Glass Hammer entitled Live at Belmont which is
an amazing work. It’s a bit of cliché, but from humble beginnings
Glass Hammer have taken a leadership role in modern symphonic
progressive rock. With each new release they have demonstrated
just how good they are when it comes to crafting amazing lyrical
content and powerful music. Live at Belmont is their second
live DVD and it improves on the first in many ways. ***
First let’s talk about who’s involved. The core of the
band Steve Babb and Fred Schendel are once again joined by
Matt Medians (drums), Eric Parker (guitars), and Susie Bogdanowicz,
Flo Paris and Bethany Warren (vocals). Then there are a few
changes to mention. Missing from the lie-up is Walter Moore,
replaced in this setting with David Walliman (lead guitar)
and from Salem Hill Carl Groves (lead vocals). The group is
accompanied by the Adonia String Trio and just in case that’s
not enough, they’re backed by the 150 member Belmont University
Choir. ***
The song selection revolves around work from their last
three studio releases and they’ve chosen mostly longer pieces.
There’s 3 songs from Lex Rex (One King - 6 minutes, When We
Were Young – 10 minutes, Heroes and Dragons – 4 minutes),
2 songs from Shadowlands (Run Lissette – 10 minutes, Farewell
to Shadowlands – 7 minutes) and then 4 selections from The
Inconsolable Secret (Long and Long Ago – 10 minutes, Through
the Glass Darkly – 7 minutes, Knight of the North – 24 minutes,
Caught a Glimpse – 13 minutes). In all a total of 100 minutes
of music on disc one. ***
I must admit it took me a few listens to get used to
Groves voice in place of Moore’s. But with each listen Groves’
somewhat more delicate tone seems to fit in nicely. In fact
everything about the concert falls neatly into place. The
staging works without any hiccups, the lights are more than
adequate, never overdone. The sound, which by the way is in
5.1, is wonderful. Nothing seems lost in the mix, all instruments
are balanced, vocals are crisp and even the choir is heard
evenly. By my count there were at least five cameras capturing
the action maybe even more, so there is great coverage of
every thing going on. ***
Disc two of Live at Belmont includes a host of special
features including rehearsal footage, and some previous live
footage. There’s even a slide show of the Belmont performance
with band commentary. To top off the second disc, two additional
audio tracks (Tales of the Great Wars & Lirazel) are mixed
in 5.1 and play with band promo shots. ***
Again I come back to the music, and certainly in my books
Glass Hammer score big points with their compositional skills.
The fact they’re able to pull off their complex material in
a live setting is indeed a great accomplishment. This DVD
is certainly testimony to the place Glass Hammer hold in the
pantheon of contemporary symphonic progressive rock. It’s
a “10 out of 10” in my book. It goes without saying if you
are a fan of symphonic prog Live at Belmont needs to be a
speedy addition to your library. I think it’s absolutely great!
***
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