CRITICAL MASS

When I bought this several years ago it was only my second album by Threshold. My first was from the Damion Wilson era and that was quite a different Threshold. This Threshold is less dark and less heavy, almost going toward neo prog. And since I´m a combined fan of neo prog and prog metal (almost equally) this Mac era Threshold should be just about my cup of tea. And I have to admit, it is.

There´s another reason why I love this Threshold line up at least as much as the former and that´s the ever presence of one of my favourite guitarists ever, Karl Groom. As long as he is in the band, it´s a guarantee for high quality. The other musicians are absolutely great too so I wonder why this band isn´t more popular than it is last 10/15 years. I mean they get high praise, also from the fans but this band should actually be huge, maybe even Dream Theater stature. But they´re not, just look at the number of ratings and you know enough. Well I like this band almost as much as DT even though there is not much resemblance in sound and style.

Critical Mass starts with the extremely accessible Phenomenon. Well, this song was also released as a single so that explains. Good song but even for me, a bit too mainstream. Next is Choises, this is the Threshold we know, more or less at its best. Fantastic track. Next one, Falling away is more accessible once again but not as much as Phenomenon. The song starts ballad-like, very beautiful intro. The rest of the song is a bit rougher but it´s a cracking track. Also Fragmentation is pretty accessible so that sets the standard for this album. It´s even for me almost going to far in this department and it actually makes it an ambivalent album for me because accessibility can also go too far !

Echoes of Life is more like Choises, a bit more complex and therefore more interesting than Phenomenon and Fragmentation. Next two, Round and Round and Avalon are the two lesser songs of the album, These are at best nice but not great. Last track is the absolute highlight for me, the title track Critical Mass. It´s the most progressive song on the album and a huge supersong. What a magnificent composition this is. If there was at all doubt whether this album deserves 4 stars, these doubts are swept away by this superb grand finale. One of my favourite Threshold tracks of all time. And this band made a lot of good songs, I can tell you.

So the conclusion is simple. A tremendous album with some minus aspects (too accessible at times and not all songs are equally strong) but no doubt good enough for the 4 stars.