MARCH OF PROGRESS

Since DTs success a bunch of bands received the attention they deserved (or not) and came at surface. Others emerged by trying to immitate the prog metal style in general. Threshold were always something different. They were never broadly considered a top band (although they are!) but they developed their style and kept on spitting flawless albums that other bands out there are jealous about.

So after 5 years they returned. Damian's voice was the perfect choice to replace Mac's. You feel like he never left the band and you understand how this work was written to fit his vocal style. As a friend said, his "sing without tomorrow" style in this album is mind blowing. So this reminds you of their early releases but it doesn't stop there. All the elements of the latest albums emerge along with a fresh air that Pete brought on the guitar and songwriting (check Divinity). So you have a strong and solid release, with top songs worked to the max but not overplayed. The perfect balance that Karl and Richard can achieve in production. You get the sense that this band put all its artistic freedom in it.

This is a release that, if your are in prog metal or prog rock in general, it will bring a big smile in your face from start to finish. A total success after 5 years of various problems, a must-have tour de force album, another thresh's release perfectly balanced between prog and heavy. Although this is another great year for prog, I will risk it and simply choose MoP as album of the year.