Threshold - March Of Progress

Progressive Metal
Nuclear Blast

2012

1. Ashes
2. Return of the Thought Police
3. Staring At The Sun
4. Liberty Complacency Dependency
5. Colophon
6. The Hours
7. That's Why We Came
8. Don't Look Down
9. Coda
10. Rubicon

March Of Progress is an album which I wasn't quite sure what to make of going into listening and reviewing it. I like Threshold and they had not long ago found a really good sound on their most recent effort, Dead Reckoning. I was feeling like the band was in a pretty good place when suddenly Andrew McDermott left the band and passed away. The band pursued a logical course from there and got back with earlier singer Damien Wilson on vocals, but I have to say that I've always favored Mac and the material with him more. At the same time, it's not like I can blame the band for him not being in Threshold anymore and I'd certainly like this to be good. It's also not that I disliked Wilson... just preferred Mac. Given that preference I just couldn't help worrying about a bit of a regression.

Overall, listening to March Of Progress I didn't have much to worry about. While it is true I still prefer McDermott, Wilson is no slouch and the band continues on with good melody and strong songwriting. The fundamentals for everything that make Threshold good haven't really changed. March Of Progress doesn't sound far removed at all from the style the band has been doing and does just sound more like a progression of the same style. In terms of frontman changes this one seems pretty seamless and comes off without a real hitch. If you like Threshold's brand of progressive with a strong focus on melody and memorable songs then there's just no reason not to like this in my book. Threshold have always struck me as finding that great balance of being technical and having variation in the music while still keeping melody and a good flow in mind. That is just what they do again here. One band that comes to mind for me is Evergrey who have had a similar approach, especially in more recent years. Royal Hunt would be another band that comes to mind at times.

In terms of songs, I do tend to like the album when it picks up the pace a bit more. I guess in the end I am a metal guy. Ashes starts off the album as a good up beat opener and ends up being a highlight. Also worth mentioning is The Hours which has kind of a dark vibe to it between the heavy guitar and some good utilization of keyboard. That one is probably my favorite the album has to offer. On the other end of the spectrum though is the almost ballad-ish That's Why We Came which is extremely well done. It also shows off the fact that Damien Wilson is a pretty gifted singer. Nice range displayed on this one and it basically becomes a strong vocal showcase.

Overall, I'm pretty pleased with the results. Threshold still sounds like Threshold and Damien Wilson does an admirable job retaking the vocal reins. I'm a McDermott fan and I accepted it so I can imagine both McDermott fans and of course Wilson fans enjoying this. If you like Threshold you shouldn't hesitate to get this one and if you're a fan of melodic progressive metal you should check this out.

Highlights: The Hours, Ashes, That's Why We Came

Rating - 3.5/5

Threshold - Dead Reckoning

Progressive Metal
Nuclear Assault

2007

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


Though Threshold is by no means a household name, they are probably one of the bigger progressive metal bands out there today. With this one marking their 8th regular studio release, they have secured at least a minor legacy for themselves in the progressive metal scene.

One thing that strikes me about Threshold, and a fact I've always enjoyed about them, is they've never been a band just focused on showing off in my opinion. Among progressive metal there is a commonly known term for this and it is of course... wankery. I've never been a big fan of this sort of style as I don't really care how skilled someone is if they can't put together a coherent song structure. Just because you can do something does not necessarily mean it's beneficial to the songs.

With that minor rant out of the way and a general idea of the band... I'll say that this album is pretty much what one has come to expect of Threshold. The songs have a flowing, melodic nature with soaring choruses in an almost power metal structure but with some rather interesting arrangements. There does seem to be a bit more muscle behind the guitar in some tracks however and the inclusion of a few backing death vocals from one Dan Swano is an interesting inclusion. I wasn't too sure about the later but they're used sparingly and oddly blend into the smooth atmosphere of the songs. Considering their style I didn't see it working but it really does manage to. The guitar sound and usage is also excellent as it gives the songs a fair dose of metal while blending into the mix and not hampering the atmosphere of the songs. I think Threshold really manages to strike a great balance between sounding heavy, establishing mood, and adding a dose of technicality. I think my only minor gripe would be that the songs seem to lose a little steam about halfway through. The best and most memorable tracks seem to all be found on side one, but that's not to say the rest is bad. All that's to say is that if the entire album was as strong as the first 5 then this would be rated a bit higher.

For progressive metal fans this would be a most worthy purchase I would think and for Threshold fans this is a must. The song Slipstream may be my favorite song they have done to date. Anyone into progressive with a touch of power and melodic rock such as Balance Of Power and Nightingale would be wise to give this one a shot.

Highlights: Slipstream, This Is Your Life, Hollow

Rating - 3.5/5

HammerFall - Threshold

Power Metal
Nuclear Blast

2006

1. Threshold
2. The Fire Burns Forever
3. Rebel Inside
4. Natural High
5. Dark Wings, Dark Words
6. Howlin' With The 'Pac
7. Shadow Empire
8. Carved In Stone
9. Reign Of The Hammer
10. Genocide
11. Titan

HammerFall... A band that has introduced many to power metal... and a band which many have moved on from. There's no way around it folks... HammerFall jump started the power scene but other bands have been far more original and interesting since. They're like the Walmart of Power Metal. Easy to find but of somewhat questionable quality.

Well it's only been a year since Chapter V and since they've never had an original idea anyways you wouldn't think this one would be the album to change it. And nope... it's not. This pretty well lingers on like most HammerFall albums with generic happiness directly lifted from Helloween, vocals that don't change ever, and mostly mid-paced and sometimes speedy songs which fail to leave any sort of lasting impression. There's not a hell of a lot more to say. This band is not vocally nor instrumentally impressive and you pretty much get the same HammerFall album every time since Renegade.

I think this one is less annoying than the past couple as it doesn't have any gay Hearts On Fire repeated 40 million times shit, but it's certainly nothing I'd recommend. There's just better power metal out there and I recommend you go find that instead if you're still hanging onto this generic band. If for some reason you liked the last couple HammerFall albums though, this one is really no different so I guess you'll like this too.

Highlights: Threshold, Natural High

Rating - 2.5/5