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Britain's progressive metal veterans Threshold return with a brand new album entitled "Dead Reckoning". This album marks their move from progressive rock specialists InsideOut Music to the German metal giant Nuclear Blast. This is actually a most logical move since "Dead Reckoning" is possibly the heaviest release from the band so far. There is no need for old fans to worry about the musical direction though as this album has a little bit of everything, from the heavy and intense riffing of "Slipstream" to the traditional hard rock of "Hollow" and the AOR ballad "Pilot In The Sky Of Dreams". Heavier does however not equal better, especially not to a guy like me who fancies music such as Madonna and Enya as much as Dimmu Borgir or Morbid Angel.
Progressive rock and metal are tricky genres and there are very few bands who manage to find a personal sound. In my opinion 95% of the genre are light years behind what has been recorded by acts like Dream Theater and Liquid Tension Experiment who are able to combine excellent instrumental skills beyond comparison with exciting and innovative song writing. Threshold is a talented band but they suffer from the lack of memorable songs or the ultra-impressive instrumental showoffs that would make up for it. There are plenty of decent guitar solos and a great diversity in the songs but they are all built around riffs and melodies that we have all heard so many times before.
What still makes "Dead Reckoning" worthwhile is above all the vocal performance from Andy McDermott who has a wide range and a relaxed yet passionate style of singing. Unfortunately for the band the Swedish sound wizard and musical genious Dan Swanö produced the album and the occasional growls provided by him in a couple of songs are less appropriate than a clown at a funeral. The quality of the first half of the album is superior to the second half. "Dead Reckoning" is definitely a decent prog metal release but it fails to take the genre any further. Former Threshold fans will however probably not be disappointed. Stand-out tracks: "Slipstream", "Hollow".
| Tracklist |
| 1. Slipstream |
| 2. This Is Your Life |
| 3. Elusive |
| 4. Hollow |
| 5. Pilot In The Sky Of Dreams |
| 6. Fighting For Breath |
| 7. Disappear |
| 8. Safe To Fly |
| 9. One Degree Down |
: 54.58
| Buy other Threshold albums |
