CD Review: Threshold - Subsurface

This release by the British six-piece progressive metal band actually came out last year, but I missed picking it up when it first appeared.

It's another solid release, immaculately produced by Richard West and Karl Groom. All the trademark Threshold sounds are here; piledriver riffs, atmospheric interludes, time changes, anthemic choruses and fluid soloing. There are even some widdly synth solos. The overall sound is not unlike that of the heavier side of Dream Theater, only with DTs sometimes self-indulgent widdling reigned in a little.

The only real weakness is that it sounds too much like other recent Threshold releases; it's all nicely done, but it doesn't really break any new ground for the band. If you've liked their previous releases, you'll probably like this one too. If you haven't heard any Threshold at all, this one makes as good an introduction to the band as any.