LEGENDS OF THE SHIRES

The leader of the British Prog Metal is back with a big double album of gorgeous melodies crafted by talented musicians including the solid vocals of Glynn Morgan back in the band after more than 20 years. His voice is more delicate than the last 2 Threshold vocalists and suitable for that kind of music. The album starts with a beautiful ballad. The second track delivers again the talent of Karl Groom on guitar who knows how to create some emotional guitar solos. The 11 minutes "The Man Who Saw Through Time" start and finishes with some Kraftwerk techno effects sounds starting as a ballad and developing into a typical Threshold metal structure. "Trust the Process" show some multi-parts vocals that the band has used a lot in the past and then let a lot of space to Richard West on keyboards. "Stars and Satellites" is very melodic and show some guitar riffs that remind me of Rush. "The Shire" part 2 is linked to the first part with his peaceful atmosphere letting the vocals and the acoustic guitar take the spot. In the second part of "Lost in Translation", we can hear the influence of Pink Floyd when the band brings things down with some Gilmour guitar style passage. The production as always is perfect here using the latest technology with some short electronic sounds giving new textures to the sound. Karl Groom manages to reinvent his guitar palette at times. Threshold could give you some lessons to how to compose great songs that are good from start to finish., not complicated, but deep enough to require many listenings. Yes, there is still some repetitive chords in this music, but with this double album, the band has the freedom to expand their sound a bit if you know well the band's music.

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Posted Tuesday, September 12, 2017 | Review this album | Report (Review #1781268)

It was something of a shock to fans of the band when it was announced that they had parted ways with their singer Damian Wilson, for the third time. At the same time, Richard and Karl had decided that they wanted to take the band musically back to more of where they used to be in the Nineties, which led them to wondering what Glynn Morgan was doing? Glynn of course sang on 'Psychedelicatessen' in 1994, as well as the ensuing live album, but had also been involved in bits and pieces with the guys through the years. A decision was also made to just have one guitarist and reduce to a five-piece, so the line-up was Glynn (vocals), Richard (keys, backing vocals), Karl (guitar, backing vocals), Johannes (drums, backing vocals) and Steve (bass, backing vocals). But, that wasn't all, as the guys also invited original bassist Jon Jeary in to provide vocals on one song. Jon was in the band for many years, and I always felt that his vocals in the live environment were incredibly important to the overall sound, so it is wonderful to see him involved again, even if it is just for a cameo.

With these changes made, great artwork and a double CD, the guys knew that this had to be an epic release, as anything less than that would be seen to be a failure. So it's probably just as well that they have released their most varied and dynamic album for years, possibly their finest yet. This album has far more depth and breadth than we have heard in recent years, with Richard more to the fore, and much more melody and straight progressive tendencies backed up by strong guitars as opposed to crunching riffs that have the edge removed as has sometimes been the case in the past.

This is well thought out and constructed music, and shows that although they still inhabit the more metallic end of the prog metal spectrum than bands such as Dream Theater, they still know exactly how to satisfy the progheads. Moving back to a more progressive style, and changing singers, is obviously a risk but it has paid off with this album making the Top #5 of the UK Rock Charts, and entering Sweden, Germany and Switzerland in the Top 15, and getting to #31 in Austria. Threshold have taken a breath, decided how they want to move forward and have grabbed it with both hands. They are touring in November and December across Europe and the UK, ending at the 02 Islington Academy, and that will be a tour not to miss. Now all I must do is convince Karl he ought to come down here?

This is an absolutely essential indispensable album.

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Posted Saturday, September 23, 2017 | Review this album | Report (Review #1786186)

Legends of the Shires sees Glynn Morgan return to the post of lead singer of Threshold, having only appeared on Psychedelicatessen (and its associated live album Livedelica) previously. Eight albums later - one with Damian Wilson on lead vocals, five with Andrew "Mac" McDermott, and two more with a returning Damian Wilson - Morgan stepped back in to perform a cunning dual replacement, taking over for Wilson on vocals and from Pete Morten on rhythm guitar.

This means that in principle Threshold has a somewhat slimmed-down lineup on this one, making do with five members where usually they have six. The main past precedent is Dead Reckoning, where Karl Groom took on rhythm guitar along with all of his other duties, but this arrangement seems to work better. In terms of vocals, Morgan seems to be a bit less generic than he was on Psychedelicatessen - he'd already improved somewhat on Livedelica, and it seems like he hasn't been a slouch since.

On a musical level, the album finds Threshold updating their sound via mild borrowings from Muse and the world of power metal; they're still staying squarely in the particular melodic prog metal territory they've staked out for themselves, but they've enriched its sound nicely, with some of the nicest production work I've ever heard on a Threshold release. (And that's saying something given that Karl Groom is no slouch as a producer, being the head honcho at Thin Ice Studios in his side gig.)

Threshold tend to evolve their sound rather than revolutionising it, but this is one of the bigger evolutionary steps - as significant of one as, say, Hypothetical. And whilst this is the band's first double studio albums, this is no dive into quantity over quality - it's this long because they had enough album-worthy material to deploy. It's a true gem of their discography, and when bands are turning out some of their best work this deep into their career, that's a sign of true tenacity.

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Posted Monday, February 12, 2024 | Review this album | Report (Review #2990919)

Shall I commence saying that the first acoustic guitar chord just melted me? or that the vocals at first almost sent me home? Or maybe just that this drummer-guitar guitar-drummer duo/trio is just too much?? What a trip has been? The shire (Part 1)? perfect, exquisite, beautiful and too simple ... (read more)

Report this review (#2653590) | Posted by ElChanclas | Sunday, December 19, 2021 | Review Permanlink

I am definitely a bit ashamed to admit that I have not heard of, let alone listened to, Threshold until just a few weeks ago. Though better late than never I suppose. And with that, Legends of the Shires, Threshold's 2017 release, was definitely a fantastic way to get acquainted. This record is ... (read more)

Report this review (#2436524) | Posted by ssmarcus | Monday, August 10, 2020 | Review Permanlink

The best Progressive Metal band in the universe ( my opinion folks, please don't get heated ) are back with what is probably their most ambitious album yet. The first thing you will notice is that vocalist Steven Wilson has departed from the ranks yet again, and back in the saddle is Glynn Elli ... (read more)

Report this review (#1916664) | Posted by Alard Charlton | Sunday, April 22, 2018 | Review Permanlink

Review # 76. Legends of the Shires is the 11th studio album of the English Prog-Metal band Threshold, and I dare say one of their best ones. Prog-Metal was never my cup of tea, so I try not to write reviews about albums that belong in this sub-genre. But that doesn't change the fact that Thresh ... (read more)

Report this review (#1839617) | Posted by The Jester | Thursday, December 7, 2017 | Review Permanlink

I'm a big fan of Damian Wilson voice, and I was upset when I heard he had to leave the band. I think very few vocalists in the modern rock music can be compared to Damian. And 2 CDs? How do you mange to compose and record so much good music? Most modern albums that last 70 minutes have at leas ... (read more)

Report this review (#1825280) | Posted by Booba Kastorsky | Monday, November 20, 2017 | Review Permanlink

I knew Threshold in 1995 thanks to a review of Livedelica on Metal Shock, an Italian magazine of Heavy Metal: the Ep had the highest rate. I bought it soon and shortly afterwards I also bought the first two albums: I preferred Wounded Land to Pschychedelicatessen, but for me the three songs o ... (read more)

Report this review (#1803015) | Posted by borussia | Friday, October 13, 2017 | Review Permanlink

We all knew that Threshold is a standard value in prog metal scene...but this album is a new top,a great monumental masterpiece.Sincerely is the best prog metal album i've heard last 5 or even 10 years.Thershold manage to captivate the listener with their, neither childish nor overhighly sophist ... (read more)

Report this review (#1786441) | Posted by Saralgam | Sunday, September 24, 2017 | Review Permanlink

Do you like the sonic crunch of metal, but also have a soft spot for sugary pop? And, being a middle-aged man, miss the 80s? Legends of the Shires are for you. A double album that is just a little over a single album, it features probably the band's most bombastic sound to date, and delivers t ... (read more)

Report this review (#1785651) | Posted by Progrussia | Friday, September 22, 2017 | Review Permanlink

When I started listening to this album I was pleasantly surprised by its subtle opening but that was soon followed by crunching heavy metal. However the catchiness of the songs kept me listening. There are some fine melodies here and I would have loved for them to be developed further. Don't get me ... (read more)

Report this review (#1781324) | Posted by CeeJayGee | Tuesday, September 12, 2017 | Review Permanlink

Threshold's first double album and a second concept one sees the return of the old frontman Glynn Morgan into the fold. Before anyone opens up an argument about their favourite singer I have to say that although we all disagree who the best (technically or emotionally) out of the three is, one t ... (read more)

Report this review (#1780529) | Posted by Threshold | Saturday, September 9, 2017 | Review Permanlink

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