Warthur The second Threshold album is the sole studio album the group would release during Glynn Morgan's original run as their lead vocalist. He's returned more recently and has been back on lead vocals from Legends of the Shires onwards; I've yet to hear the band's most recent albums, so I don't know how he's evolved since here, but it has to be said that he feels just a touch more generic than Wilson's distinctive, emotive vocal style from the band's debut album.

Fortunately, the band's musical evolution has continued apace since their debut, with the result that what you get here is an acceptable but not especially spectacular vocalist performing against an absolutely killer musical backing. In a prog metal context, that's a combination you can absolutely work with, as the band do here. Perhaps less of a breakthrough than their first album, this is still a solid release which sees them avoiding the dreaded second album slump.

Nightfly Psychedelicatessen is the second album from UK prog metallers Threshold released in 1994. In came a new vocalist Glynn Morgan to replace Damian Wilson (who would return for following album Extinct Instinct) and Nick Harradence on drums, who would also only last for one album to replace Tony Grinham. It's an often overlooked and underrated record from the band which is a shame as although certainly not their best it beats some of their more recent albums having some decent tunes that have been lacking somewhat of late. Morgan is a decent vocalist, more in the classic metal tradition than Wilson's more natural prog credentials. The album treads similar ground to their debut though with more emphasis on the metal than prog elements making it heavier overall with a couple of ballads thrown in (Under The Sun and Innocent) There's no epics like Wounded Land highlight Sanity's End but the material is fairly consistently strong throughout with enough time/tempo changes to keep things interesting. There's some excellent riffs/solos from guitarists Karl Groom and Nick Midson and Richard West's powerful and atmospheric keyboard playing is given more space than recent releases. Where the albums real strengths lie is in the melodies and whilst being a pretty heavy album, guitar riffs haven't been allowed to allow heaviness to overrule a decent tune. Sunseeker and A Tension Of Souls, Both around the seven minute mark make a great 1-2 opening to the album but with nary a weak moment I wont cite them as highlights.

Any lover of prog metal could do far worse than checking this album out and well worthy of 4 stars.

SouthSideoftheSky Not particularly psychedelic, despite the title!

Psychedelicatessen is quite different from the rest of Threshold's albums. Comparing it to the two albums that surrounded it - Wounded Land and Extinct Instinct - it is indeed not entirely out of place to wonder whether this really is the same band! One major factor here is that both of these two other albums had Damian Wilson on vocals, while Psychedelicatessen is the sole Threshold album with Glynn Morgan handling those duties. While not as distinctive as Wilson, Morgan is a fine vocalist that does a good job here. But the vocals are not the only thing that sets Psychedelicatessen apart from Wounded Land and Extinct Instinct. This one has a heavier sound and has much less of the Neo-Prog tendencies of those other albums.

Having recently reviewed albums (for Prog Archives) by the Neo-Prog band Shadowland, I was reminded of Threshold because of the presence of guitarist Karl Groom in both these bands. Groom is (I discovered just now), however, not the only member these bands have in common. Also drummer Nick Herradence was a member of both of these bands. But despite this overlap in terms of personnel, anyone looking for musical connections between the two bands would be hard pressed to find any on this album. Comparing Psychedelicatessen with Shadowland's Through The Looking Glass (that was released the very same year and involves both Groom and Herradence) the difference in musical style and approach is striking. The Neo-Prog tendencies that were displayed on Threshold's first album (and to some extent also on Extinct Instinct) are almost wholly absent here. Psychedelicatessen is possibly Threshold's heaviest and least melodic album. I'm not saying that this is not melodic, just that there is more focus on riffs than on melodies. Also, Psychedelicatessen is perhaps less overtly progressive.

It took longer for me to get into this album compared to the other Threshold albums I mentioned, and with every listen I'm enjoying Psychedelicatessen a bit more. It sometimes reminds me of Black Sabbath's 90's albums, particularly Cross Purposes that was released the same year. The music is riff-based and the solos and instrumental breaks alternate between guitars and keyboards. They obviously know how to play their instruments, but despite their talents they often come across as slightly anonymous on this album. The sound they produce lacks a strong identity of its own.

There is a decent balance between aggressive and mellow moments and between riffs, melodies and instrumental work outs. Under The Sun is a pleasant Symphonic ballad based on piano, acoustic guitar and some flute-like keyboards and as such stands out from the other songs. There are no songs that stand out as really excellent, but there is also nothing really weak here. I would not recommend starting your investigation of Threshold with this album. Both Wounded Land and Extinct Instinct are better albums in my opinion.

A good album, but not essential