Threshold

For The Journey

Written by: MN on 02/01/2015 02:14:10

The british prog-metal group Threshold have been active for over 25 years now and their tenth release "For The Journey" shows no sign of fatigue from the Surrey-based sextet. Threshold produce somewhat easily digestible prog-metal with more of an inclination for the good melody rather than technical prowess. That being said, the instrumentation presented on "For The Journey" is still very good, with special credit to the dual guitars and a driven bass line. Both Queensrÿche and Vanden Plas all retain some similarities to the sound that Threshold are producing.

I am somewhat new to Threshold so this review won't be a comparison of previous efforts, rather I look at the production with a clean and thereby neutral judgement. All in all, I don't find it overly exciting, it is prog-metal in a very safe expression, but after a couple of listens I start to warm up to individual tracks that set them a bit a part. Lyrically, Threshold compose songs about injustices, life, religion, politics and a myriad of other societal themes, but in the end it was some of the instrumental work that kept me listening to its entirety.

Opener "Watchtower On The Moon" is a good set off for a prog-album, the juicy main riff and complimentary synth phases brings some epicness to the sound. One of the heavier tracks on the record is "Unforgiven", a song of repention and forgiveness. A very introspective song that seems to alter the usual lyrical content of Threshold, which usually points fingers outwards rather than towards themselves. The midway interlude is a refreshing passage that keeps the listener with ears perked. "The Box" starts of sounding like an easy forgettable prog-ballad, but soon allows thunderous and crisp guitar layers to take over and produce what is easily the most instrumentally interesting track of the record. At 11.59 minutes, one would expect it to lose some potency, but every second of this track seems well thought out and doesn't get tiresome at any point. Definitely a personal favourite of mine. "Lost In Your Memory" kind of loses the stamina built with what seems like an obligatory ballad of perseverance and struggle, it is catchy but just a little too simple for my taste. "Siren Sky" is the album closer and really brings back some of the energy found in previous standout tracks, and also, I feel that the vocalist performs the best on this song with great penetration. It is a natural album closer with a reflective and anthemic tone to it that brings the album together upon curtain close.

Threshold is something I am willing to explore to a larger extent, especially to see how previous releases compare to this decent release. I fail to see anything truly innovative about "For The Journey", but its enjoyable enough to keep on a playlist for easy listening, especially "easy" for a prog-metal band. That being said, seamless production and some wicked guitar solos keep them afloat the midway on the scale.

Download: Siren Sky, The Box, Turned To Dust
For The Fans Of: Star One, James Labrie, Grand Magus
Listen: facebook.com

Release date 19.09.2014
Nuclear Blast

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