THRESHOLD – For The Journey [Limited Edition] (2014)

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And the winner is… THRESHOLD with “For The Journey“. For us, it takes the prize as ‘Prog Metal Album of the Year’ 2014.
It’s quite difficult to muster the words to review another THRESHOLD album. There are many terrific rock and metal bands out there, progressive and otherwise, and Threshold is definitely the best of them. Their constant consistency and creativity allows them to continue to record genuinely intriguing, entertaining, and in one word: awesome albums.
“For The Journey”, their tenth studio effort, is simply another one that excels.

When coming to another Threshold album, several elements always jump out. One is the strength of the arrangements which always develop from a deep melody and groove, no matter the length. To twist a phrase, ‘the song’s the thing’ for Threshold.
Underneath it all, this band seems to work from a foundation of melodic hard rock, and then they merely twist things up as necessary.
For instance, the longest song “The Box” is one of those obvious progressive metal extravaganza, twisting and turning but, later, “Lost In Your Memory” moves with a current of AOR Melodic Rock, developed from a glistening piano.

Yet, across this album, the songs also seemed heavier, the riffs deeper and bolder, the leads sharper. A second element, and possibly my favorite, are the vocals and vocal arrangements of Damian Wilson. There’s something about his voice, the natural ease of presenting melody and passion in a smooth and compelling way.
Some vocalists are merely singers delivering the lyrics. Wilson is more than that, a natural and necessary instrument that adds as much color as, say, the bass or drum line.

Finally, the final element is the simple fact that Threshold has a knack for writing songs that sound really really good. They have a way of charming your ears with everything from melody to hooks, lyrics to guitar leads, vocals to stirring symphonic atmosphere.
Threshold feel so comfortable to the ears… the effortless play of guitar duo Karl Groom and Pete Morten or Wilson’s smooth, tranquil and highly unobtrusive vocals, or Richard West’s vaporous keyboards. West is a truly is ‘thinking man’s’ metal, but so completely devoid of tedium. Even at its quietest moments, there is never a scintilla of apathy. “For the Journey” represents another chapter in the history of a band that demands as much respect as the more ‘popular’ acts in similar veins.

In other words, Threshold is pleasure to listen to, and isn’t that the fundamental thing we want from our music?
“For The Journey” is a record filled with flash, comfort, latent heaviness and enticing choruses – all components that make up one hell of an album.
A Must Have.

1. Watchtower On The Moon
2. Unforgiven
3. The Box
4. Turned To Dust
5. Lost In Your Memory
6. Autumn Red
7. The Mystery Show
8. Siren Sky
9. I Wish I Could (Ltd. Edition Bonus Track)

Damian Wilson – Vocals
Karl Groom – Guitars
Pete Morten – Guitars
Richard West – Keyboards
Johanne James – Drums
Steve Anderson – Bass

BUY IT !
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