Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Threshold March of Progress Company: Nuclear Blast Records Release: 2012 Genre: Progressive Reviewer: ChaosLord

Brilliant, well-thoughtout album

Threshold is an English progressive metal group that has been around for almost 25 years. Their newest release, March of Progress, is the first album I've heard. Not knowing anything about this band prior, I was blown away by this record. Channeling Dream Theater and other prog titans, Threshold delivers a brilliant, well-thoughtout album with this release.

The vocals remind me very much of a mix of Joey Tempest, Jon Oliva and Vintersorg. Yes, I know, that sounds like a crazy mix but it is the best description I can offer. Singer Damian Wilson shows his abilities to belt it out, ensnare your soul and carry a song throughout the album. You can believe what it is he's singing about, whether it be the end of the world, searching for hope or just figuring life out. Musically, the album is precise and polished, featuring seamless guitar work with plenty of great solos, catchy hooks and atmospheric instrumentation throughout.

Some of the songs seem to have a bit of a Christian undertone to them but nothing as blatant as Stryper or other bands of the like. The undertones are reminiscent of Creed, where you are unsure whether it is fully Christian or not. Either way, the album moves together in one fluid motion, changing tempos and pace throughout.

Some of the standout tracks on the album are "Return of the Thought Police", "Staring at the Sun", "Why We Came" and "Don't Look Down". I listened to this album straight through, without skipping a track and at the end was wanting there to be one more song to listen to. For current prog metal this is one of the best releases yet and if this is any indication of what the future holds for Threshold, it's a sign of great things to come.

So go forth brothers and sisters and find your copy of Threshold. Trust me, you won't be sorry you picked this one up!