DEAD RECKONING

First I'd like to point out that Threshold album can minimum get 5 stars for no matter the release their music presents the highest degree of composing responsibility and on contrary to most of the bands it never just tells one story but directs to essential values in our lives and plays a role of a medium which helps us ascend to the utmost spiritual dimension. The intention artists have when starting to write a song never actually matches the final product, but even further that effort to create something lasting with putting one's inspiration into recognizable music form is never guaranteed to be consumed by everyone as expected. So the influence of finalized song to an individual has always surprising factor but what puts Threshold on a special place is that effect of their songs has very certain result, which is entering new transcendental domain. Rare are those who can beside musical pleasure or good performing offer something more to us but Threshold does it with such a grace, for journey their songs embark us on leads precisely to that inexplicable entity which we usually don't have access to. New album brings new elements to the stable concept of songwriting, with introducing more progressive parts. The atmosphere this time is darker, sound clean and melodies truly amazing. Karl managed again to deliver extremely emotional solos, Richard showed us how many complex layers just one tune can be consisted of, Mac sang in so various ways which just widened his singing abilities, Johanne proved to be one of the best drummers of today and Steve filled all that with a great knowledge of jazz school. Songs vary to the degree of their complexity but harmonies are simply wonderful, one of the most original Threshold landmark is perfect balance between thresh riff and absolute melodic chorus. That naturally makes it all harder to comprehend but that's where the beauty and everlastingness lie, any of their album can't be judged without many hours of listening. Songs like Pilot in the Sky of Dreams and One Degree Down bond energy with intellect, it's a real pleasure to be heard. Hollow is genuine combination of powerful structure and tragic feelings, while extracts from Fighting for Breath and Disappear overtop any melodic virtuosity. Lyrics once again very deep with thematically conceptual background, flying as a profound symbol of searching and retaining the freedom. All in all excellent album which marked another phase in Threshold's development and refreshed their status by exploring new levels and experimenting with different ideas. For those inpatient who criticize it just one note - it can be conceived only with full devotion and after leaving other styles behind, crossing the threshold of unknown...