CLONE

As far as progressive "metal" album, this album by Threshold is something that we need to consider as one of good albums in the end of nineties. This album I bought mistakenly due to good review at the time on the net and progressive metal was not something that I was into at all until I knew Dream Theater - sometime in 1995 / 96? Not quite sure. When this album was released I was actually in position to like this album but it was not and I put it somewhere at my CD shelf. I even complained that the music was too raw for me to digest.

But that was the past .. and now .. having been exposed to many vatious kinds of heavy music like power metal, progressive metal and even thrash metal, finally I can appreciate this album. Perception changes, of course. Still, I feel like this album is raw but I think I can enjoy the music, overall. One thing for sure I like the guitar riffs and melodies produced by double guitar players Karl Groom and Nick Midson combined with powerful and transparent voice of Andrew McDermott. The combined work of double guitars and pulsating keyboard work of Richard West is also a strong point for this album You can easily refer to interlude part of "Angels".

Not only at music harmony that this album offers, it also has good melody and vocal harmony as demonstrated at "The Latent Gene" (track 3). This track also gives a symphonic flavor and a bit of bluesy guitar solo. It's a nice offering. "Lovelorn" combines ballad and heavy music in relatively slow tempo music. Yes, there is guitar riff accompanying McDermott's vocal but it stems from slow rock style. It's quite accessible track.

The band shows its power through an excellent composition "Voyager II" which combines heavy music with some powerful breaks with melodic singing style. The music moves into heavier part right after minute 2 plus but it comes back to soft part with a bit ambient nuance. Right in the middle of the track, West puts his keyboard solo beautifully combined with guitar work. It's an excellent composition and it's not too heavy and complex for most people, I think.

Overall, it's a good album with tight composition, energetic performance, powerful vocal line. For those of you who love progressive metal, this suits you. Keep on proggin' ..!

Progressively yours, GW