THRESHOLD: Hypothetical CD PROMO. Dream Theater. Check audio.

Description

Threshold Hypothetical
Label: Inside Out Music IOMCD 073
Format: CD, Album
Country: Germany
Released: 2001
Genre: Prog Rock, Heavy Metal
Tracklist
1 Light And Space 5:58
2 Turn On Tune In 6:12
3 The Ravages Of Time 10:17
4 Sheltering Sky 5:35
5 Oceanbound 6:42
6 Long Way Home 6:00
7 Keep My Head 4:01
8 Narcissus 11:14  Backing Vocals Holger Haubold

Bass Jon Jeary
Drums Johanne James
Guitar Karl Groom, Nick Midson
Keyboards Richard West
Layout, Artwork By [Cover] Thomas Ewerhard
Mastered By Rob Aubrey
Photography [Bandphotos] Nigel Crane
Producer, Mixed By Karl Groom, Richard West
Songwriter [All Songs By] Jeary*, Groom*, Midson*, West*
Vocals Mac*

Recorded between October 2000 and January 2001 at Thin Ice Studio, Surrey, England.
Published by Desert Song, Lansdowne West Music.
P & © InsideOut Music 2001
Distributed by SPV GmbH.

SAMPLES:   www.allmusic.com/album/hypothetical-mw0000001311

Coming across as powerful, fairly straightforward prog metal, this one is based pretty heavily in the tradition of ’80s metal. Within this format, the music moves between various styles, at times getting quite dark and contemplative and with other moments that seem to call to mind a metallic take on the stylings of prog groups like Yes. All in all, this is a fairly original take on the prog metal genre and should be an interesting excursion for fans of that type of music.
———————————————————
5.0 out of 5 stars Balance and an expressive vocal performance,
Thresholds ‘Hypothetical’ is from the start a great compositional CD. Each song is well crafted, the love of writing good melodic and harmonic (How about those lush, layered, harmonious vocals?) shining through each piece. Some will fault this reviewer for being “out to lunch”, but in comparison, Macs performances on these songs are in some ways reminiscent of Steve Walshs vocal contributions with Kansas. What I’m trying to say is that, in a world where R&B “divas” and hip looking, long-haired, throaty, three-octave Vagnerians, who have talent, but abuse it, Macs abilities, though no doubt competent and able to produce this kind of vocal gymnastics, goes in another direction, that, in giving a song power by the drama of the piece and through the words and knowing not to go too far. Sometimes simple, subtle songs like sheltering Sky’, or the power of God speaking down upon humanity ‘Light and Space’, or even the disturbing, slipping grip of reality in ‘Turn on Tune In’, there is a story to be told, and in using another Kansas comparison, song for America’ (Kansas: song for America’), tells it with beauty, grace, power, and sensitivity. Progressive-Metal doesn’t have to be trite, it can reach an emotional chord, and Threshold does it in spades.

And even more impressive than the guitar work of Karl Groom and Nick Midson are Richard Wests keyboards, who also displays a older school of Progressive music. Also, kudos to Johanne James on drums for not abusing the oft heard, tired cliches of the “quad” (Double bass/Snare/etc.) “dugga-dugga-dugga-dugga” thats been creeping up on a lot of material lately in so many songs. There is sensibility and variety in his drumming. More drummers need to explore more of their instrument. No worries about burn out of old, and again, trite, techniques on this CD.

And lastly, my arena, lyrics. And boy, these people are poets. There is something lyrical in their lyrics (if you happen to be a fellow writer, you understand my point). Here’s two examples of what this band is capable of when creating a complete work of art:

1.(From ‘Light and Space’):

I am the storm that won’t be calmed

I am the calm that follows

I’m the stars that fill your day…

2. (From ‘Narcissus’):

I want nothing of your snarling mongrel strain

Your smarmy doggrel lies

And if these words have singed your fur

Consider yourself a whipped cur

The images paint a picture hard to shake off, while the music, doing the job its supposed to do when setting to words, keeps the dramatic and emotional tension and landscape from start to finish. The listener in fact, will travel eight different landscapes, from melancholy, to powerful awe, to wire taut conflicts, with an energy that’s hard to come by in a market often overshadowed by the next big copy of a copy of a copy.

Good job to these bright English fellows. And good luck to them in the future, in not creating mere entertaining ear candy, but viable art.
———————————————————
5.0 out of 5 stars Narcissus alone deserves 5 stars,
2001s Hypothetical might have been album #5 from British progressive metallers Threshold, but I still see it as the first album where the “real” Threshold sound is in place. A lot of that has to do with the presence of vocalist Andrew “Mac” McDermott. This is his second album with the band, and he not only seems more comfortable with his role, he uses his voice as just an effective an instrument as Richard Wests keyboards. The song Keep My Head is a great example of this, but he really shines on the entire album.

Musically, Hypothetical isn’t that far removed from previous Threshold albums. The bands keyboard heavy, Dream Theater influenced progressive metal style is intact here; its just more refined. The songwriting in particular took a big step forward with this album. Listening to this album after Wounded Land makes you seriously question whether this is the same band. The band just managed to find the perfect mix of lush instrumental work, captivating melodies, and compelling vocals that put them in the top tier of modern progressive metal bands.

Seven years after its original release date, Hypothetical remains my favorite Threshold album. The band just seemed to get everything right with this one. I can’t see how any fan of Dream Theater, Vanden Plas, Symphony X, or any other modern prog metal band could come away from this album unimpressed. The song “Narcissus” alone should be enough to convert just about any unbeliever!
———————————————————
5.0 out of 5 stars Love At First Listen,
I was in a record store one day when this album caught my eye. At that time, I had never even heard of Threshold; but, knowing that the store that I was perusing was quite lenient about returns should I decide to return something I didn’t like, I bought ‘Hypothetical’ on a whim.
I took the album home, threw it in my CD player- and there it stayed for the next several months until I literally wore the poor thing out from too much play; wherein, I had to buy a second copy!
I hate to play the “better than Dream Theater card”, because it seems that they are the progressive band that everyone gets compared to; but, when you’re as melodically progressive as Threshold, that kind of has to go without saying.
Heavy bass lines and smooth, ambient keyboard work, similar to that of Kevin Moores, opens the first track entitled ‘Light And Space.’ From there the album evolves into a powerful, haunting trance of progressive heavy metal. From the opening of the album, to ‘Narcissus’ (based on the myth of Echo and Narcissus), these guys remain true to unabashed, powerful, inspired and progressive heavy metal.
I believe someone mentioned that threshold focus as much on the lyrical side of the music as much as the composition of the music; I couldn’t agree more. A lot of prog bands do tend to focus on the music and leave the lyrics to fall by the wayside. (ahem, Spiral Architect). This does not apply to threshold.
Lyrics such as, “you gave me sheltering sky but I reached for the stars, I said I don’t believe in who you are, but its only words” is so moving to me.
Needless to say, I now own every album Threshold has ever put out. While this band is unable to put out a less than amazing album, this is still one of my favorites by them- and one of my favorite albums, hands down. If you enjoy Dream Theater, you will LOVE Threshold!!!!