PSYCHEDELICATESSEN

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.