Threshold: Critical Mass

After flawlessly bridging the gap between progressive metal and mainstream hard rock on last year's tour de force, Hypothetical, Britain's Threshold return with a record that's much subtler and less immediate but just as solid. Such scorchers as "Phenomenon" and the title track fit seamlessly with ballads like the keyboard-heavy "Falling Away" and the symphonic "Avalon" - and sometimes the band's hard and soft elements even merge, as they do on "Echoes of Life." No machine-gun drumming or screamed vocals here.

Threshold also give a musical nod to the advances made on Hypothetical with "Choices," which recalls "The Ravages of Time" from that album, and portions of the epic 13-and-a-half-minute title track echo Pink Floyd at that band's commercial pinnacle. Only "Fragmentation" disappoints, containing almost as many powerful passages as it does annoying ones, including a monotonous chorus and seemingly endless repetition.

Singer Andrew McDermott, now on his third Threshold album after replacing Damian Wilson, has firmly established himself as a viable vocal force in progressive metal, and his clear voice is at once pleasant and intimidating. Lyrically, Threshold continue to write intelligent songs that don't insult listeners with tales of fantasy or violence. And sonically, Critical Mass is warm and intimate without sacrificing any of its atmosphere and mystery. At this point, Threshold have made it difficult to top themselves.

Added: January 14th 2006
Reviewer: Michael Popke
Score:
Related Link: Official Threshold Web Site
Hits: 5402
Language: english

[ Printer Friendly Page ]
[ Send to a Friend ]