Progressive metal often conjures up images of the grandiose, highly technical and often very much exhibitist behaviour. With sprawling solo’s and mind bending time signatures that are often thrown in just for the sake of it. A genre that is easily over saturated and behind its miasma of technicality can be essentially self indulgent and boring.
After having written nine albums previous Threshold return to the fore with their new album For The Journey, formed 25 years ago and now on album number ten there would be an argument that the band could be sounding stale For The Journey would show anything but, the eight track opus ostentatiously showcases Threshold’s trump card, song writing.
For The Journey may be regarded in the traditional definition of progressive metal as simple. With careful scrutiny opener “Watchtower On The Moon” is phenomenally well written. Utilizing just the right amount of musical flattery when needed, ensuring that guitarist Karl Groom’s technical chops don’t go unnoticed but not having this as the only focal point of the song. Although those on the prowl for the usual epics will be delighted with Threshold’s staple “The Box” being a ten minute sprawler, chronicling the finding’s of a Box. Moving through all of the usual progressive soundscapes yet here is where Threshold excel, ensnaring the listener with his incredible hooks Damian Wilson captivates your attention with his bardic tale of of the mysterious box.
Besides the aforementioned song the rest of the album consists of modest five minute pieces. Which seems to be all the band need, creating an overview of what a well crafted song is. Using progressive vocabulary to form short sentences, rather than the usual long winded paragraphs the band are able to beguile with illustrious hooks “Turned To Dust” being a fantastic argument, with Wilson’s vocals working perfectly against the guitar as well as Johan Jarre’s simplistic yet refined drum patterns.
Ensuring that throughout the album its not a relay of members falling into the background whilst the spotlight is passed around Threshold remains as a unit throughout the entire record. With For The Journey the band have understood that although they may be technically proficient at their instruments they have self assurance. Not meaning that their playability is quashed, but instead of passages becoming immemorable when they do go into hyper drive it stands out and makes the lasting impact you would want.
