For more than thirty years, Glass Hammer have been among America’s most devoted keepers of the classic symphonic-prog flame. Formed in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1992 by the songwriting pair of Steve Babb and Fred Schendel, they have channelled the spirit of Yes, Genesis and ELP into a long run of elaborate, fantasy-tinged concept albums, performed by a rotating cast of singers. They are remarkably prolific, and the twelve records here are a core selection from a catalogue that runs well past twenty. Here is our fellow fan’s ranking.

The short version

For the heart of Glass Hammer, start with The Inconsolable Secret, Culture of Ascent, Chronometree, Lex Rex and If. Between them they hold the band’s grand magnum opus, its most acclaimed line-up and its wittiest, most beloved concept. The full ranking is below.

Keepers of the symphonic flame

Glass Hammer have spent their career flying a flag that, for much of it, was deeply unfashionable: lush, keyboard-rich symphonic prog in the grand 1970s tradition. Babb and Schendel are the constant core, multi-instrumentalists who write and build the music, while the voice out front has changed many times. The most celebrated era featured singer Jon Davison, who would later join Yes itself — a fitting destination for a band so steeped in that sound. One honest note: this is a selective list, and there is a great deal more Glass Hammer to discover beyond these twelve, with the band still highly active today.

How we ranked them

This is one fan’s order, weighing ambition, songwriting and how each record holds together across a deep and varied catalogue. The facts are accurate; the order is a starting point for the debate — and with a band this prolific, devoted listeners will champion albums we have placed lower, and vice versa.

The essential five

At the top sits The Inconsolable Secret (2005), the sprawling double concept album widely regarded as their magnum opus. Culture of Ascent (2007) is next, the acclaimed record that introduced Jon Davison and featured a guest turn from Yes’s own Jon Anderson, including a bold reading of “South Side of the Sky”. Chronometree (2000) is the witty, hugely likeable concept album — a story about a fan convinced his prog records carry alien messages — and a perfect entry point. Lex Rex (2002) is a strong early concept favourite, and If (2010) is the melodic high point of the Davison years.

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Reliably great

The next tier is rich. Cor Cordium (2011) closed the Davison era in fine form, while Perilous (2012) reinvented the band with a heavier, darker sound and a new line-up to acclaim. Valkyrie (2016) is a strong, emotive modern-era record, and Shadowlands (2004) is a solid, often-overlooked album from their mid-period rise.

The interesting middle

Here the catalogue is a little more variable. Chronomonaut (2018) is the playful, self-aware sequel to “Chronometree”, a treat for long-time fans; and Perelandra (1995), an early album inspired by C. S. Lewis, shows the band’s vision taking shape while the execution was still developing.

For completists

At the bottom sits the debut, Journey of the Dunadan (1993) — a charming, Tolkien-themed first effort whose ambition outruns its modest early production. It is a fascinating origin point for devotees, but not where newcomers should begin.

The core selection, in order

A core selection from a deep catalogue, 1993–2018, in chronological order — with much more beyond it. Click through to the full write-up on any record.

Where to start

Begin with Chronometree — it is accessible, tuneful and full of charm, and its affectionate story about prog fandom makes it the friendliest way in. From there, The Inconsolable Secret rewards a deeper dive as their most ambitious work, and Culture of Ascent is essential for the celebrated Davison-and-Anderson chapter.

Prefer to own them? Find these on Amazon: Chronometree · The Inconsolable Secret · Culture of Ascent

The players

The constant heart of Glass Hammer is the duo of Steve Babb and Fred Schendel, multi-instrumentalists who handle the keyboards, bass, guitars and much of the writing that gives the band its grand symphonic character. The lead vocal role has passed through many hands over the years — among them longtime contributor Susie Bogdanowicz and, most famously, Jon Davison, whose stint here led directly to his joining Yes. Whoever is singing, the lush, layered keyboard sound remains unmistakably theirs.

Why they still matter

Glass Hammer kept symphonic progressive rock alive and evolving through decades when the style was profoundly out of fashion, carrying the torch of the great 1970s bands and of American symphonic kin like Kansas. Fiercely independent and fan-supported, they are a model of how to sustain ambitious music outside the mainstream — and their pipeline of talent, most visibly to Yes, shows just how seriously the wider prog world takes them.

Go deeper

Keep exploring: read about the best Glass Hammer songs, see every Glass Hammer album in order, find your way in with our where-to-start-with-Glass-Hammer guide, or dig up the most underrated Glass Hammer albums. You can also place them in the bigger picture with our list of the best progressive rock albums of all time.

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