In 1996, I began my career as a CD reviewer. One of the first albums I had the privilege of reviewing back then was the eponymous debut album by Ed Macan's Hermetic Science. A beautiful instrumental album on which the vibraphone and marimba, in particular, truly came to the forefront for the first time. Now, thirty years later, on my thirtieth anniversary as a CD reviewer, a special 30th anniversary edition of the aforementioned album is also being released. Coincidence or not? Of course, it feels strange to listen to an album that is so old again. To be honest, I have to admit that I can't recall the music from back then at all. Unfortunately, I don't own the original album. So, after writing the review, the next album is simply up for review. That is just how it works in the life of a CD reviewer. The same actually applies to the review that was written at the time. I can barely remember anything about that either. Fortunately, I found it on the website of Ed Macan's Hermetic Science. This is what I wrote about his debut album thirty years ago:" Ed Macan is an American music teacher who gives young musicians a chance to make some music collectively. He also wrote a book called Rocking the Classics, which is about progressive rock in all its facets-a review of this book will probably be published in the next issue of Background and some of his students from the College of the Redwoods have recently recorded a CD. Ed himself plays vibes, piano, marimba, glockenspiel, and tubular bells. He is accompanied by Donald Sweeney on bass guitar and Michael Morris on drums and assorted percussion. Their music is instrumental and sometimes reminds me of Gentle Giant and The Enid. The lead instruments on the eight tracks here are the marimba and the vibes, which sound very interesting and original . . . Besides some of their own music, they also play Cheetah by Darryl Way (ex-Curved Air), Infinite Space by Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer, and a classical piece by Gustav Holst, Mars, The Bringer Of War. The musician who gets most of my credit is drummer Michael Morris. A man with such a talent will certainly make his way in progressive rock . . ." There you go! So, you would think the review is finished now. But that is not how it works, of course. The big question for me is: how does this album sound now, thirty years later? Dated? or can progressive rock enthusiasts enjoy it just as much now as the fans of back then? Have my own tastes changed over the years, or can I still enjoy something unique that was heard for the first time thirty years ago in the same way? Do I still need to introduce the band from back then? I think so. Much of it has, of course, already been covered in the review from thirty years ago. But there is still enough to tell you because it is an anniversary edition. Let's start by telling you that Hermetic Science is an American instrumental progressive rock project founded in 1995 by author, music theorist, and multi-instrumentalist Edward Macan. The band is highly unique for its distinct blending of classical music, jazz fusion, and chamber rock, particularly relying on mallet percussion like the marimba and vibraphone instead of traditional guitars. The original lineup featured Ed Macan (vibraphone, marimba, piano), Donald Sweeney (bass guitar), and Michael Morris (drums and percussion). Their debut album stands out in the prog-rock world for its sparse, acoustic-driven trio format that avoids guitars entirely. It blends dark contemporary classical themes with vintage progressive rock foundations. It features original epic compositions like the 11-minute, three-movement track The Sungazer, alongside distinct covers which are mentioned earlier. The 30th Anniversary Edition now released in 2026 is marking three decades since the band's initial 1996 recordings. The album was completely remixed and remastered from the original ADAT tapes, introducing three previously unreleased tracks to streaming platforms. The track list is a bit different from the original studio version. Mars, The Bringer Of War cannot be heard anymore because it is not included. It is replaced by an instrumental cover of Jacob's Ladder. A song originally written by Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart and can be found on Rush's Permanent Waves album. It's a nice cover and still recognizable from the original Rush version. It was recorded by Ed Macan (vibes, marimba, harmonium), Nate Perry (bass guitar) and Matt McClimon (drums and percussion) May, 1999. It was originally released on Hermetic Science's Prophesies album in 1999. Just like Intrigue In The House Of Panorama which you can also hear as a new track on this anniversary edition. It's a same kind of instrumental like all the other tracks on this album. So, with lots of mallet percussion. As for the other covers. Cheetah written by Darryl Way and originally from Curved Air's Phantasmagoria and Infinite Space written by Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer and originally from Emerson, Lake and Palmer's Tarkus, both sound great and a bit different compared to the original version. As for the other tunes on this album, I still think that The Sungazer is the ultimate highlight on Hermetic Science's debut album without short-changing the other songs. Regarding the music on this album in general, I must warn everyone before you start listening. You see, you need to be a fan of instruments like the marimaba and vibraphone. For some, it all sounds much of the same and might eventually become boring. But if you are open to something unique, then this album and the music of Hermetic Science are a must-listen. Just as happened to me thirty years ago, and again now while listening to this anniversary record, I am once again impressed by what is on offer. Thanks to Ed for bringing, it back to attention after a thirty-year absence. Finally, I'll have to mention that Hermetic Science's Lost Jazz Tapes EP, a collection of previously-unreleased jazz recordings recorded in 1996, to be released late spring/early summer 2026. Plus 30th Anniversary editions of Hermetic Science's second and third albums, Prophesies (1999) and En Route (2001), to be re-released in summer/fall 2026. **** Henri Strik (edited by Dave Smith) Where to buy? |
