DEAD RECKONING

3.5 stars. I feel that from the "Subsurface" album right up to this one that they have kept the same formula. Riff laden with soaring vocals and lots of crunch. Most prefer these later albums as witnessed by the ratings, but I like the earlier less polished, less predictible albums like "Clone" , "Pshychedelicatessen" and "Extict Instinct". They have added some guest growling courtesy of Dan Swano on this album for two tracks. Honestly though in my opinion they do nothing to make it better or worse, they're a non-factor.

"Slipstream" has a great intro of crunchy riffs as Mac comes in, those growly vocals follow. Best part of the song is the guitar solo that starts 2 1/2 minutes in. "This Is Your Life" sounds best early in the song during the first minute. I just like his more laid back vocals and the guitar. "Elusive" opens with some nasty guitar. Nice. It becomes uptempo with riffs. More growls in this one. Excellent guitar after 3 minutes. "Hollow" is heavy to open but it settles down quickly unfortunately. It does kick back in later.

"Pilot In The Sky Of Dreams" opens with reserved vocals and piano. It becomes fuller around 2 minutes but then lightens again. The guitar is great 5 1/2, 7 & 8 1/2 minutes in. "Fighting For Breath" again has a terrific intro with riffs galore to follow. Nice guitar solo before 4 minutes. We can hear synths only 5 minutes in as reserved vocals come in as it builds. The guitar from the intro is back 6 1/2 minutes in. "Disappear" opens with piano and synths. The guitar sounds incredible throughout. "Safe To Fly" is dark to begin with as riffs come in. The chorus is pretty amazing. "One Degree Down" is heavy to open but it calms down when the vocals arrive. Great section of guitar before 3 1/2 minutes.

I have yet to hear a THRESHOLD record I think is below average, they're all good to excellent. I think the fact Mac has now left is actually a good thing, because they need a singer with more character in his vocals if you know what I mean.