GLASS HAMMER – Rogue (2025) *HQ*

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Much beloved, seminal American prog act GLASS HAMMER is back with a new album entitled ”Rogue”. Led by songwriter / singer Steve Babb, on this new CD Glass Hammer embarks on a more melodic and introspective journey, dialing back the heavy, darker tones of their recent releases in favor of something warmer and more reflective. The album unfolds as a narrative of redemption and personal reckoning, following a man who confronts his regrets in search of peace. It’s a return to the band’s symphonic roots in many ways, while also offering something fresh and immediate.
With an opening worthy of a Mike Oldfield classic, hints of the legendary Kansas and Genesis, and a wonderful overlying ’80s vibe, Babb goes all ‘Rogue’ with us on this new and surprising release from Glass Hammer. Following a more mellow progression, one of the most creative minds in modern prog music returns with a measured, considerate and ultimately rewarding journey and shows what it truly means to be progressive.

Now more of a solo project for founder Steve Babb who has collected a rather impressive band of brothers and sisters to assist him on this new release, ‘Rogue’ features performances by frequent collaborators Fred Schendel, Reese Boyd, and David Wallimann (GH guitarist 2006-2010). Vocalists Thomas Jakob (Netherlands) and Olivia Tharpe (USA) are new to the band. They’re joined by guitarist Oliver Day (UK), keyboardist Ariel Perchuk (Argentina), drummer Evgeni Obruchkov (Poland), and others.

After the recent powerhouse albums from Glass Hammer, ‘Rogue’ is a much more thoughtful and measured affair and a bit of a return to classic albums from the much loved band. I say a bit of a return because I think Steve continues to reinvent Glass Hammer and they are never quite the same in each iteration.
No exactly a concept work, ‘Rogue’ is more an album of themes and it actually works brilliantly, let’s delve a bit further…

What If opens the album in fine style with an early Glass Hammer vibe entwined around some definite Mike Oldfield vibes. It is tripping the musical light fantastic and is airy and uplifting with a soothing vocal. I’m getting an 80s prog vibe from this luscious track and it leaves a great early impression of what is to come, especially impressive is the guitar from David Wallimann.
That 80s feel with added electronica continues with The Road South, a gorgeous keyboard note leading us into another soaring piece of music with some rather fine guitar from Oliver Day before there’s a metamorphosis into something a bit more dramatic. The powerful vocals add gravitas to the song and make it another excellent piece of music.

A strident keyboard heralds Tomorrow, Steve Babb getting his quality bass head on here, sometimes it’s easy to forget what a fantastic musician he is but the bass playing on this track is top level. Fred Schendel joins Oliver on guitar and what you get is just a joyous expression of intricate musicianship enhanced by the superb vocals of Thomas Jakob and Olivia Tharpe.
I love the opening to Pretty Ghost, fine guitar, thumping bass and swathes of glorious keyboards creating a fantastic widescreen 1980’s cinematic feel to the track. Olivia’s lush vocal carries the song on with class and lustre, possibly the finest four minutes of Babb’s career so far.

Talking of ’80s, Sunshine is soaked in the nostalgia of that decade with it’s almost 8-bit keyboard intro, the wonderful lap-steel guitar from Schendel and Olivia’s solemn vocal. The measured rhythm and thoughtful, pensive tone adds a real depth of emotion to the song. I Will Follow takes me back to earlier Glass Hammer with its catchy beat and dancing melody. It’s a captivating musical journey that flies along at a serious pace and is led by the wonderful vocals. That’s always been a highlight of all that’s good about the band and they get it absolutely spot on here, not forgetting Oliver Day’s fiery guitar solo too! It’s a breezy five minutes of accomplished progressive rock that shows Steve Babb has lost none of his songwriting credentials.

Now we get to the business end of the album with one of my personal favourites, The Wonder Of It All. An intro that could have come straight from a 1982 sci-fi movie leads into some rather fine guitar from Atillio Calabrese before the elegant vocals begin, accompanied by excellent, polished keyboards. It is a really sumptuous and astute piece of music that draws you in to its dignified grasp. Musically it’s right on the edge of Genesis’ ‘Invisible Touch’ era while still retaining the intricate sensibilities of progressive rock. It’s just a brilliant song no matter how you dissect it.
One Last Sunrise is a charming respite from the rest of the album. It still has an Eighties electronic vibe with its layers of chiming keyboards but there’s also a lightness of being to its charismatic and engaging soul.

The utterly brilliant Terminal Lucidity is like Ozric Tentacles meets the Tangerine Dream alley with its expansive, intricate melodies and distorted keyboard notes. It’s almost like Steve was composing a theme for an epic sci-fi film and got lost in his own thoughts, just magnificent. The guitar and synth solos from Reese Boyd and Ariel Perchuk just add to the majesty. Steve comes out of his reverie, the track becoming almost symphonic in nature and ending with a feel not dissimilar to an overture, theatrical and gloriously pompous like the best overtures always are. I have a funny feeling that Steve really had some fun when writing this grandiose ending and it just made me smile.

All good things must come to an end and, as if in perfect synergy, this outstanding album closes with the track All Good Things. A confident musical procession and a testament to our character and his epic life’s journey of ultimate highs and deep lows. It is a powerful piece of music that leaves questions in your mind, all correlated by Ariel Perchuk’s questing synth solos and Oliver Day’s mastery on the guitar. As this imposing and dynamic song and album come to an end, you are left with a feeling of fulfilment and of a cycle completed.

In all, ”Rogue” stands as a strong entry in the Glass Hammer catalog—both a thematic journey and a musical reset. It trades some of the band’s recent heaviness for melody and warmth, a welcomed shift from this ever-changing / never repeating band.
This is melodic and accessible prog, rich in emotion, beautifully arranged, and a welcome reminder of how powerful Glass Hammer can be when leaning into melody.
Highly Recommended

01 – What If
02 – The Road South
03 – Tomorrow
04 – Pretty Ghost
05 – Sunshine
06 – I Will Follow
07 – The Wonder Of It All
08 – One Last Sunrise
09 – Terminal Lucidity
10 – All Good Things

Steve Babb: lead & backing vocals, bass, keyboards, Taurus pedals, guitars, percussion
Thomas Jakob: lead and backing vocals
Olivia Tharpe: lead and backing vocals
Fred Schendel: guitar (Tomorrow), lap steel guitar (Sunshine)
Reese Boyd: guitar solo (Terminal Lucidity)
David Wallimann: lead guitar (What If)
Oliver Day: guitars and lap steel guitar
Atillio Calabrese: lead guitar (The Wonder Of It All)
Ariel Perchuk: synth solos (Terminal Lucidity 6:15 – 7:46 & All Good Things)
Randall Williams: drums
Evgeni Obruchkov: drums

BUY
www.lasercd.com/cd/rogue