THRESHOLD – Legends Of The Shires [2-CD Digipak +2] (2017)

With the release of excellent THRESHOLD new album, many asked for their previous effort ”Legends Of The Shires”, in its 2-CD Digipak +2 limited edition.
Let’s put this clear from the beginning: THRESHOLD is one of the best melodic prog metal acts out there. And “Legends Of The Shires” is simply astonishing.
Seemingly against the odds, parting ways with longtime vocalist Damian Wilson has done Threshold the world of good. Reunited with former singer Glynn Morgan, who was with them briefly in the mid-90s, they sound collectively revitalised and exhilarated on this, their eleventh studio album.

“Legends Of The Shires” is an 83-minute, two-disc conceptual splurge with feint undertones of post-Brexit melancholy, it joyously restores the balls-out prog opulence that was lacking on 2014’s For The Journey.
But the key to this album’s efficacy lies in the quality of the melodies, all delivered with extraordinary clarity and soul by Morgan.

From brutish riffing and futuristic AOR sheen on ‘Small Dark Lines’ and the surging, explosive ‘Trust The Process’ to wildly catchy turbo-balladry of ‘State Of Independence’ and audacious extravagance on climactic epic ‘Lost In Translation’, this is the finest set of songs the band have ever written and a genuine milestone for the modern prog-metal scene.

You don’t need more blah blah… “Legends Of The Shires” is one of the best albums of the year.
A lot of attention and detail has gone into this release, from the epic album artwork by Elena Dudina, through to the concept and musical arrangements – quite possibly the most atmospheric and grandiose music Threshold have created to date.
Threshold are back at what they do best and “Legends Of The Shires” will be an album you will keep coming back to again and again.
AMAZING

Disc I
01 – The Shire (Part 1)
02 – Small Dark Lines
03 – The Man Who Saw Through Time *
04 – Trust The Process
05 – Stars And Satellites
06 – On The Edge

Disc II
01 – The Shire (Part 2)
02 – Snowblind
03 – Subliminal Freeways
04 – State Of Independence
05 – Superior Machine
06 – The Shire (Part 3)
07 – Lost In Translation *
08 – Swallowed

* 2-CD Digipak only

Glynn Morgan – vocals
Karl Groom – guitar
Richard West – keyboards
Johanne James – drums
Steve Anderson – bass

BUY
www.amazon.de/Legends-Shires-Threshold/dp/B073WXSBKY