THRESHOLD Dividing Lines | Weekly Heavy Metal Album Review

Released by Nuclear Blast Records on November 18th, 2022

Quick Background

Threshold are an English progressive metal band formed in Surrey in the late 1980s. After adding vocalist Damian Wilson to the group, the band's debut album, Wounded Land, was released in 1993. Vocalist Andrew "Mac" McDermott, joined to record 1998's Clone and would remain with them until 2007. Threshold left their longtime label, InsideOut Music to join Nuclear Blast Records, releasing Dead Reckoning, probably my favorite album from them, in 2007. Mac left the band and original singer Damian Wilson returned as Threshold's frontman. Glynn Morgan, the band's former vocalist from 1994 to 1996 and the singer on the band's second album Psychedelicatessen, replaced Damian Wilson for the concept album Legends of the Shires released in September 2017. This was a good album, but quite long and not easy to digest. It anyways received widespread acclaim and record sales for the band. 

Dividing Lines

Now with their 12th studio album, Threshold brings 10 tracks in 65 minutes. As in previous records, they have a good mix of shorter 4 to 6 min long songs and some 10-ish minute epics. Darker, heavier and even more adventurous than its predecessor, Dividing Lines is a more traditional group of songs and not a concept album. "Haunted" opens it and from the get go we can not only hear Threshold trademark prog metal sound but also a clear call back to the Andrew "Mac" McDermott era. What do I mean by that? Well, prominent heavy guitar riffs surrounded by tasteful keyboards intertwined with softer parts with clean or acoustic guitars. Very melodic vocal lines, often sang with a bit of overdrive. All of that generates dynamic songs with tempo and mood changes. For example, "Let It Burn" starts moody but soon picks up with an engaging groove that turns into some heavy verses and a super catchy chorus. 

"Silenced" was released as a single, it's indeed one of the shortest song on the album and pretty straightforward prog rock tune. Great choice for a single. The other single "Complex" returns us fully to old school and makes me think of 2007's Dead Reckoning. While the other single "King Of Nothing" is a bit more radio friendly. "Lost Along The Way" starts as an 80's song reminding me of that era of Rush. It's a slower tempo and more emotional track, it works for me. "Run" follows and maintains the same flavor. 

"The Domino Effect" with 11 minutes is the longest song on the album. The mellow keyboard intro gives away to some heavy riffs, it's almost like Symphony X. The verses are quite mid tempo which works well in contrast to a heavier but catchy chorus. I specially like the 70's prog rock like bridge leading to a very melodic guitar solo. Some Deep Purple style keys help make this metal meets 70's prog rock association. The 10-minute plus closer "Defense Condition" sounds like a leftover track from the latest Damian Wilson albums. Which for the record it's a compliment. It features different passages and great guitar work. 

The Picky Guy

It's difficult for me to complain about this one. Maybe a bit shorter? Less short songs and focus on longer and more adventurous epics? Personally those work better for me. But again, I'm just searching for something to say...

Wrap Up Opinion 

Threshold keeps getting better with time and also takes the opportunity of the recent change of singers to evolve their sound while bringing back elements from the earlier albums. With Dividing Lines they fused their 2nd album signing style with the darker and heavier sound from the late Mac era but the band kept the adventurous side from the recent albums. Musically there's the heaviness of heavy metal acts such as Symphony X and Dream Theater combined with 80's Rush and 70's prog rock and Deep Purple. I just found this melting pot extremely interesting and satisfying. Musically the band is very talented but never overdo it. All in all ne of the top prog metal albums of 2022, a very good album, 83/100. Go check it out.   

SCORE: 83/100

Genre: Progressive Metal

Released by Nuclear Blast Records on November 18th, 2022

Rating System

99 - 100 Perfect
94 - 98 Excellent
87 - 93 Great
82 - 86 Very Good
77 - 81 Good
66 - 76 Mixed
58 - 65 Bad

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