'Legends of the Shires' had been my favorite album of 2017 and I was impatiently awaiting the new 'Threshold' which was released on November 18 to the greatest satisfaction of the fans of the British who are quietly continuing their journey, this latest baby being the 12th of their started discography almost 30 years ago now with 'Wounded Land'. And, for my part, an album of 'Threshold' is like a great vintage which improves over the listening and 'Dividing Lines' is further proof of this with compositions which melodically catch on the first listen, but which hide a multitude of parts finally bringing an extraordinary richness and density and above all an always incomparable emotional intensity. Certainly heavier than the previous one, the atmospheres stick to the theme of this opus which is a rather dark look at all the evils of our current society to deliver the message to us not to let ourselves be influenced by everything that happens around us but to trust each other and to remain faithful to the values of tolerance and sharing.
On the menu of 'Dividing Lines', ten titles, including two long developments, for more than an hour of listening and we are welcomed by 'Haunted' (see the video above) which is pure " Made in Threshold" with this communicative energy and these more moderate passages showing this subtle mix between incisive metal and calm progressive rock with these magnificent guitar solos of 'Karl Groom'. Follows 'Hall Of Echoes' which alternates with a quieter rhythmic and which still benefits from catchy melodic lines, the guitar riffs always bringing this feeling of vivacity and enthusiasm and in this title, 'Richard West' offers us a wonderful solo of keyboards. And we continue with 'Let It Burn' which contains all the ingredients of an inventive and sought-after progressive metal with, in particular, remarkable rhythmic changes that 'Johanne James' and 'Steve Anderson' master to perfection, then, 'Silenced' (see the video here), which was the first single to be released, is a melodic gem with its addictive chorus that immediately sticks in your head and which, despite its short duration, offers a nice instrumental break in the second part of the title. We arrive at the first long development 'The Domino Effect' which takes us on board for 11 minutes of pure happiness with these little extras that make it a title that will remain engraved in your memory forever: addictive melodic lines, a remarkable construction alternating tensions and relaxations , a vocal interpretation of 'Glynn Morgan' filled with beautiful emotion and inventive instrumental sections with the little solo of 'Karl Groom' that gives you goosebumps, 'Richard West' adding a not bad either at the end of title. The second part of the album reflects the first with four compositions between 4 and 5 minutes and we start this quartet with 'Complex' (see the video here) which is in the same style as 'Haunted' and which develops a percussive atmosphere like the English know so well how to do with these alternations of tempos which bring all the originality of 'Threshold'. Follows 'King of Nothing' (see the video here) which begins Calmly and which hardens the tone quite quickly to offer us a memorable chorus that we want to repeat in chorus with 'Glynn Morgan' which gives us a new admirable vocal performance, then, with 'Lost Along the Way', the atmosphere is more moderate with a new catchy melody which brings a certain nostalgia bringing us back to the best of rock 80s, reminding me in some places the atmospheres of 'Genesis' and more particularly 'Turn It On again'. After 'Run' which, after all these wonderful titles, hooks me less melodically, the album ends with 'Defence Condition', the second long development, which re-embarks us for a title in several drawers that we happily pull out one after the other, and which benefits from magnificent melodic lines, 'Glynn Morgan' actively participating in this feeling of strong emotional intensity in its singing which, personally, moved me to tears.
In summary, the English of 'Threshold' sign another extraordinary album, each member of the group continuing to bring each their stone to the building which makes that 'Dividing Lines' comes just after, 'Legends of the Shires', adding a new gem to their already substantial production and enriching the ideal discotheque for any amateur of progressive metal... | |
