Kategorie: CD-Reviews | Genre: Progmetal | Heft: Jahrgang 2014, eclipsed Nr. 163 / 9-2014 | VÖ-Jahr: 2014 | Wertung: 8/10 | Label: Nuclear Blast | Autor: ML
The South English belong to the big consensus bands in the area of tension between Progmetal and "Thinking Man's Hardrock", because they always represent a reliable size. None of her nine studio albums falls into the category "disappointment". In her work number ten, "For The Journey", the journey continues without serious course corrections, but with plenty of convincing song material. The opener "Watchtower On The Moon", which can also be heard on the enclosed eclipsed sampler CD, brings you into the album with force and a great melodic middle section. Headspace singer Damian Wilson, who has been giving the Threshold front man for the third time since 2007 after 1992/93 and 1996/98, has made a big contribution to the success of the entire CD with his high and ingratiating voice. That he returned after the departure of the late Andrew 'Mac' McDermott was the right decision. The second studio record since then was produced by keyboarder Richard West and the only remaining founding member, guitarist Karl Groom. Both of them have been musically responsible for years and know exactly which sound the band needs. Sometimes they outdo themselves: With "The Box" the sextet has succeeded in creating a twelve-minute prog highlight. Here, the otherwise so straight-lined Threshold really do have some interesting side paths. As if IQ, Dream Theater and Queensrÿche had agreed on a common longtrack. From the pure emotionality "Lost In Your Memory" also comes into these realms, but is more simply knitted. Only one time the band weakens on their best work since "Critical Mass" (2002): "Siren Sky" rather splashes along at the end. So this album is not finished as grandiose as it started.
Top track: The Box
