CRITICAL ENERGY

Whereas Threshold's live releases prior to this had been tight single-disc affairs (Livedelica was only 40-odd minutes long, and came from a tour which saw them as a support act), this two-disc live album offers a complete set from the Critical Mass tour, and was the most expansive live release the band had put out at the time. All of their prior studio albums are featured on the setlist, though of course Critical Mass and Hypothetical are well-represented; it's a particular pleasure to hear some cuts from Extinct Instinct on here, since I thought that was the best of the albums they put out when they were on Giant Electric Pea and no prior live release from them used material from that.

There's a strong slate of songs represented here, and Threshold give them excellent renditions here, so the only really question mark is whether nearly two hours of Threshold is too much for one listening session - but I'd say it's just right, the band selecting a setlist which stays energetic whilst taking in the entire scope of their sound. Brilliant stuff.