THRESHOLD — Critical Mass (review)

THRESHOLD — Critical Mass album cover Album · 2002 · Progressive Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4.5/5 ·
Conor Fynes
'Critical Mass' - Threshold (87%)

My first experience with the band Threshold, I was blown away when I first listened to this album. Typically, one expects a progressive metal band to sound something along the lines of Dream Theater or Symphony X, and conform to a certain protocol (in other words; being incredibly unprogressive.) Threshold manages to steer clear of that stereotype; and in melding great melodic hooks with progressive integrity, have created an unlikely masterpiece.

This album was purchased with a completely 'blind' ear; I had no idea what I was getting into and only had the knowledge that the band was progressive metal, and that one of their previous singers had done work with Ayreon. Besides that, I was treading into completely alien territory.

From the first song onwards, I recognized a very strong attention to melody; something that progressive metal has seemed to long-since forgotten. This alone warranted a heightened interest in the album, and the band. By the time of listening to 'Falling Away,' I was certain that I was listening to something clever and beautiful. The dynamic, beautiful introductory sequence of 'Falling Away' really stole my heart.

In terms of flow, album cohesion doesn't play a huge role with 'Critical Mass' although there's nothing wrong with the way the songs are set up. 'Phenomenon' is a fantastic way to open the album up, while the acoustic finale of the title track puts the listener on a gently soothing closing note.

Unlike 'Dead Reckoning' (a significantly weaker release from the band,') 'Critical Mass' does not give up progressiveness for melody and good songwriting. None of the material here is incredibly progressive... Prog is better described as a part of the musical mold rather than the main attraction.

The voice of 'Mac' McDermott doesn't impress me as much as Damian Wilson's did on the Ayreon releases, but he has a great voice that really fits the music. Some listeners might have a bit of time getting used to his voice due to the fact that his tenor sounds like alot of hair metal vocalists, but in the end, that shouldn't get in the way of his talent and the band's ability to create great music in general.

Great melodies, powerful compositions, and something that's a bit different and more
Share this review
more

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Metal Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

MMA TOP 5 Metal ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
Master of Puppets Thrash Metal
METALLICA
Buy this album from our partners
Paranoid Heavy Metal
BLACK SABBATH
Buy this album from our partners
Moving Pictures Hard Rock
RUSH
Buy this album from our partners
Powerslave NWoBHM
IRON MAIDEN
Buy this album from our partners
Rising Heavy Metal
RAINBOW
Buy this album from our partners

New Metal Artists

New Metal Releases

Desert Frost Sludge Metal
TURBO MOSES
Buy this album from MMA partners
Scorched Mind Sludge Metal
SCORCHED MIND
Buy this album from MMA partners
Echoes Of The Devil's Den Death Metal
TERMINAL NATION
Buy this album from MMA partners
Glamdemic Glam Metal
FERRETT
Buy this album from MMA partners
Piss Baby on Start Today Sessions Hardcore Punk
PISS BABY
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Metal Online Videos

TERMINAL NATION - Concrete Hell / A Pound of Flesh or a Gallon of Blood Video (Decibel Flexi Tracks)
TERMINAL NATION
Bosh66· 114 minutes ago
Dissection - Starless Aeon (Official Music Video)
DISSECTION
Tupan· 14 hours ago
OPAL IN SKY - Empathy, The Gift (Music Video)
OPAL IN SKY
Bosh66· 16 hours ago
OPAL IN SKY - The Sacral (Lyric Video)
OPAL IN SKY
Bosh66· 16 hours ago
OPAL IN SKY - Planetary Bliss (Music Video)
OPAL IN SKY
Bosh66· 16 hours ago
More videos

New MMA Metal Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Metal News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed