I keep a list of bookmarks to all of my favorite band websites so that I can routinely check for updates of new albums, tours, and other news. It had been a while since I last visited Glass Hammer, so when I clicked on the site a few weeks ago, I nearly fell off my chair when I saw the advertisement for Live At Belmont - The new double DVD masterwork from Glass Hammer staring me in the face. As a huge Glass Hammer fan, and concert DVD connoisseur, this completely unexpected release was like Christmas in May for this kid.

Glass Hammer are one of the few bands that still have me eagerly anticipating each new release, like when I used to pace outside the local record store on the morning of each new Rush release. As much as I miss browsing through those great record stores of old (are there even any left?), it is also nice to be able to simply click the "pre-order" button on a band's website, and receive your autographed copy the following week, like I did with this DVD.

With Live At Belmont coming on the heels of last year's epic two-disk masterpiece The Inconsolable Secret, I do not hesitate to call Glass Hammer one of the preeminent symphonic progressive rock bands in the world today. Now, if they would only get out to play more shows.

When I first saw the advertisement for Live At Belmont, I must admit, I was a bit worried to see that longtime band member Walter Moore was no longer in the mix, especially after he had performed so brilliantly on the Lex Live DVD in 2003. But right there on the DVD cover was a new and unfamiliar lead vocalist and guitarist, which is not exactly just replacing a drummer. These are both positions that can make or break a band, especially live in concert.

It didn't take long for my worries to be laid to rest, because Salem Hill vocalist Carl Groves covered the lead vocal duties this night and did an amazing job, especially for someone who was mostly unfamiliar with the material. You will notice him glancing down at some lyric sheets much of the time, but he never missed a beat, and was remarkably able to capture the essence and nuances of each song. Salem Hill are a fellow Chattanooga-based prog-rock band, who also opened for Glass Hammer at this show, which kind of has me wondering if Chattanooga, Tennessee is going to become the new Sweden of prog-rock.

I generally prefer guitar-driven music over most other styles, but the keyboard-dominated sounds of Glass Hammer are still candy to my ears. With the addition of new, French-born guitar wizard David Wallimann to the live band, it is like they were trying to appease me personally. Wallimann's performance reminded me of Steve Lukather in the way that he brings a harder edge and more flash to the band's live music.