"Hermetic Science" (1997): Ed Macan (vibes, marimba, occasional piano), Donald Sweeney (bass), and Michael Morris (drums); Andy Durham (bass) and Joe Nagy (drums) appear on two tracks. "Prophesies" (1999): Macan (vibes, marimba, piano, Hammond organ, ARP string ensemble, recorders), Andy Durham (bass), and Matt McClimon (drums); Nate Perry (bass) appears on two tracks. "En Route" (2001): Macan (vibes, marimba, piano, Hammond organ, ARP string ensemble, Rhodes electric piano, Moog synthesizer, recorders, 10-string lyre), Jason Hoopes (bass, sitar, six-string guitar, and piano), and Joe Nagy (drums); Matt McClimon (drums) appears on five tracks. "These Fragments I Have Shored Against My Ruins" (2008): Macan (piano, Hammond organ, digital keyboards, marimba, vibraphone), Jason Hoopes (bass, six-string guitar), and Angelique Curry (drums).
Influences
The classic progressive rock bands of the seventies, especially the three great prog rock keyboard trios--ELP, U.K., and Egg. Jazz-rock fusion, especially ECM label artists such as Norwegian guitarist Terje Rypdal. Classical music of all periods and genres, especially the baroque period and early twentieth century. Non-Western music. The band's newest album, "These Fragments I Have Shored Against My Ruins," acknowledges the influence of contemporary post-rock bands like Sigur Ros.
Sounds Like
An imaginative, unclassifiable blend of seventies progressive rock, jazz-rock fusion, classical music of all eras and varieties, post-rock, and various non-Western musical styles.
Hermetic Science, formed in early 1996, is one of the more interesting bands to emerge from the 1990s progressive music revival. The band was founded by virtuoso mallet percussionist and keyboard player Ed Macan, a well-known progressive music scholar and author ("Rocking the Classics: English Progressive Rock and the Counterculture," 1996, and "Endless Enigma: A Musical Biography of Emerson, Lake and Palmer," 2006). The music of Hermetic Science brings together elements of seventies progressive rock, ECM-inspired spatial jazz, twentieth century classical music, and Eastern musical styles. Always a trio, the band's music initially revolved around Macan's extraordinary abilities as a vibraphonist; eventually, his formidable keyboard work came to play an equally prominent role in the band's epic soundscapes.
The band's first three albums were released between 1997 and 2001. The first, "Hermetic Science" (1997) is the most vibes-dominated and the jazziest. The second, "Prophesies" (1999), a concept album loosely based around the Old Testament Book of Jeremiah, offers an edgier rock/classical chamber music fusion, and incorporates keyboards (piano, Hammond organ, ARP string ensemble) into the arrangements much more than the first album. The third album, "En Route" (2001), another concept album based around a series of novels by J. K. Huysmans, is Hermetic Science's heaviest and most rock-based album, with the keyboards (including a heavy dose of Moog synthesizer) now taking centerstage, and the vibes and marimba parts playing more of a supporting role.
The band was inactive from 2002 through 2005. In early 2006 Macan announced both the reformation of the band and the release of a two-CD compilation, "Crash Course: A Hermetic Science Primer," which contains remixed and remastered versions of all 19 original tracks from the three Hermetic Science studio albums, plus their pile-driving cover of "Mars, the Bringer of War." The revived Hermetic Science rehearsed and recorded new material between early 2006 and mid 2007: the resulting album, "These Fragments I Have Shored Against My Ruins," was released in June 2008 by Musea Records, and features a cover design by artist Paul Whitehead, best known for his work with Genesis and Van der Graaf Generator. Roughly half of the new album plies the lush, keyboard-dominated symphonic prog idiom established on "En Route," although now with discreet touches of post-rock influences; the other half hearkens back to early Hermetic Science by featuring vibes and marimba in a lead role, but in the context of fuller, more sophisticated arrangements than in the band's early days.
Like wise. That song was somewhat inspired by one of my personal favorite bands called "Riddle of Steel". We initially had some issues getting the feel right when writing the music, I told the drummer pick it up man pretend you're robbing a bank in a pink bunny suit you've lost your mind, no turning back. In the end it seemed an appropriate subject for the lyrics. We hope to have some recordings with the full line up soon, the songs up now are from a demo I did last december with the original drummer. You should check out Riddle of Steel if you have some free time. Rock onward J^m
Hello Ed, Thanks for the add on your great page,very much appreciated ! We don't forget that you were one of our best supporter and probably our best ambassador thanks to your marvelous book. You are welcome ! EDHELS
Yes, I have been very blessed to play with some great players. I love the songs my friend, great arrangements, love your playing. I will stop by and listen more when I have more time to enjoy.
Thank you so much for your kind comment! Very interesting music you got up here: electronic progressive! Wow! Have never heard anything like it before!
Thanks, Ed, for your patience accepting yet another one of my requests. It is indeed me, John Pedersen, in yet another MySpace endeavor. Hopefully, this will be the last one, 'cause I've got to practice the piano a little bit.
Thank you for accepting us into your myspace family and for taking the time to listen to the music!! You're music is wonderful and very inspirational!!
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