Threshold
Subsurface

I have already written two reviews here on Debaser about the progsters Threshold, but now it seems like the time to say a couple of things about "Subsurface," the album that, in my view, can quite comfortably be called, without shame and without fear of others' retorts, the masterpiece of the group. It's true that there isn’t a clear idea about what the pinnacle of this English group is, but I believe that in this album all the characteristics of Threshold find space in a rather homogeneous measure. There is a lot said about what the group’s possible masterpiece is, and there are very diverse opinions. The most popular idea is "Psychedelicatessen," certainly a very valid album but a bit timid, where the use of various sounds turns out to be too prudent and not daring enough. Some cite "Hypothetical," others "Critical Mass," albums that are certainly valid, technically superior, and comfortably considered masterpieces ("Critical Mass" is one of my favorites) but that do not reach the sophistication that this "Subsurface" manages to achieve. Luckily, I am not the only one to cite it as the pinnacle of their career.

Here, Threshold play in a much more audacious manner compared to many previous works, increasing the weight of the electronics and the technical quotient, allowing themselves to insert some electronic effects and a few more solos than usual without fear of becoming repetitive, without fearing criticism (fears that perhaps emerged in the past). If in many past releases the band tried to be very cautious in the use of various sounds, here they play without too many worries. Sure, Threshold doesn't create anything new, they don't add or take anything away from what they had done before (unfortunately), but at least they opt for greater dynamism, which makes the album enjoyable. Of the 9 songs on the record, none seems to be a copy of another.

The opener "Mission Profile" features powerful guitars supported by electronic experiments, and a nice instrumental part with guitar solos and a nice keyboard solo intervenes before the final part; definitely a complex but still direct track. Truly brilliant is the second track "Ground Control," where direct and powerful verses alternate between guitar riffs and electronic effects, giving way to more melancholic breaks with the keyboards prominently featured. Emphasis on the more melodic side in track no. 3 "Opium"; the keyboard parts are exquisite and dreamy, but the guitars are also good, and there is also a nice instrumental part with guitar solos and a very intelligently placed keyboard solo. "Stop Dead" is particularly immediate, with riffs that are always quite pushed, well-accompanied by the keyboards. Notable and masterful is the mini-suite "The Art Of Reason," which, with its 10-minute duration, shows a bit of everything you can hear from Threshold: melodic parts with an emphasis on the keyboards and more loaded parts; remarkable is its instrumental part with guitars and keyboards prominently featured from a more technical point of view; perhaps not an immediate track but very sophisticated, perhaps the song for which the album is worth purchasing. The most immediate and direct song is "Pressure," an energetic, frantic track; five minutes of pure explosive charge without excessive pauses; not bad is also the instrumental part, with guitar and keyboard solos always impeccable. More sad and melancholic is the next track, "Flags And Footprints," with much emphasis on the keyboard melodies; one of my favorite tracks on the album, a dreamy track suitable for those who love strong emotions; at first, I underestimated it a lot, but now I love it. Here, perhaps the album loses a bit of tone; "Static" is a track that perhaps feels a bit familiar but still pleasant to listen to. I particularly appreciate the two synth riffs that intervene during the track; the melodic breaks do not result in anything special. Very beautiful is the last track too, "The Destruction Of Words," a sad track with dark sounds and fundamental guitar arpeggios to create such an atmosphere, even though much is also owed to the keyboards; a very sentimental track but whose melodies are just below those of "Opium" and "Flags And Footprints."

Truly a great album, I really wanted to describe it with my heart because I love Threshold, and I have never seen them so inspired, honestly, even though they have written other masterpieces similar to this. They will manage to repeat excellently with the subsequent "Dead Reckoning," but this remains truly an impeccable record. Recommended to everyone, from those who have an inner chaos to unleash to those who experience strong emotions because, like me, they are truly endowed with a great, great heart!