Register Forgot login?

© 2002-2024
Encyclopaedia Metallum

Privacy Policy

Threshold > Hypothetical > Reviews
Threshold - Hypothetical

Between metal and neo-progressive rock - 77%

lukretion, May 9th, 2020
Written based on this version: 2001, CD, InsideOut Music

Over the years, Threshold have developed a fairly distinctive sound, which is instantly recognizable. The formula is comprised in equal parts of prog metal (Dream Theatre, Enchant) and British neo-prog (early Marillion, Arena). The band plays a lot on this contrast between the darkness of the heavy metal guitar riffs and the light of the very melodic vocals and bright neo-prog choruses. Moreover, on this album there are also a couple of songs that are distinctively hard-rock/AOR.

There are three types of songs on this album. First, we have two "epics": The Ravages of Time and Narcissus. These are the best songs on the album, by far. Both clock above the 10 minute mark and are comprised of multiple parts. It takes some time to appreciate them but they are definitely rewarding. Ravages of Time is dark and brooding, and has a particularly memorable moody, slow second part. It's really well crafted and the multiple parts flow seamlessly into one another. Narcissus has a similar structure although it is perhaps a little less impressive. It has a very nice vocoder section in the middle and a very good guitar solo in the coda.

Second, we have 4 tracks (Light and Space, Tune On Tune In, Oceanbound, and Long Way Home) that have a more standard verse-chorus structure and are shorter in duration (around 5/6 minutes). On these tracks the contrast between metal and neo-prog is perhaps at its starkest, with the verses typically supported by heavy metal riffs and the choruses more upbeat, in the neo-prog tradition. In two songs (Light and Space, Long Way Home) this works very well. Light and Space in particular is beautiful, with a great, memorable chorus. Tune On Tune In and Oceanbound are a bit weaker, but still good (Tune On Tune In has a slightly awkward chorus and lyrics, though).

Finally, we have the ballads (Sheltering Sky and Keep My Head). These are by far the weakest songs on the album. Both are very AOR/hard-rock oriented. In Keep My Head I can almost hear some Queen influences. These two songs really do not sit well between the other tracks of the album, the style is completely different. I am not quite sure why the band chose to go in this direction on these two songs. I wish they hadn't included them, they slightly ruin the atmosphere and cohesion of the album for me.

The musicianship is good throughout, with interesting guitar riffs and a solid rhythmic session. The keyboards add nice flourishes and contribute to creating the right atmosphere for the songs. The vocals are really good, too. Mac has a very light, clean voice, with a pop-quality to it, but that can be powerful at the same time. I also appreciated the use of vocal effects on Narcissus and The Ravages of Time.

The production is quite good although the sound of the guitars is not very modern, even for 2001 standards. The drums are also a bit echoey and not very powerful. More generally, the production somewhat lacks punch. This is a general problem I have with the album: it is almost like the band is a little too restrained, which in a way is very British. At times, I lack a little bit more passion and punch, especially in the parts that are more aggressive and metal. But overall this is a very good album, for fans of both straight prog metal and progressive rock.

The storm that won’t be calmed - 100%

naverhtrad, December 14th, 2016
Written based on this version: 2001, CD, InsideOut Music

Picking a favourite in a discography as consistently high-quality as Threshold’s is a difficult task, and I’ll be the first to admit that there’s a solid and arguable case for labelling many of Threshold’s albums as ‘the best’. I can personally see valid grounds for aficionados picking out Psychedelicatessen, Subsurface, Dead Reckoning or even March of Progress as the Best Threshold Album Ever, because each of those albums on its own merits packs a great punch, and because each has a distinctive character that the others doesn’t – whether it’s the power-metallic arrangement and Morgan’s vocals on Psychedelicatessen; the ultra-smooth and ultra-catchy Subsurface; the ‘arder-and-‘eavier (with dirty vocals!) Reckoning; or the sheer consistency and high-calibre musicianship of March.

But honestly? I’m going to have to go with Hypothetical as their best album.

This is the first album that I really ‘connected’ with, and which definitively turned me into a diehard Threshold fan – and it’s the one I most consistently keep coming back to in my playlist. The cover says it all, and the music lives up to its promise: a colossal cityscape on a flying island in a stormy sky. That gives you a good idea of the ambition, grandeur and sweep of Threshold’s Fifth. It is the recapitulation of the classic Threshold sound. And it turned out not one but two of Threshold’s most massive, awe-inspiring progressive rock epics: ‘The Ravages of Time’ and ‘Narcissus’.

Let’s start with some of the basics. They’ve elevated their signature mesh of thick, crunchy riffs and smooth, gliding AOR-inflected melodies to a sublime level. West is now consistently outdoing his previous work on keyboards. Mac is now showing off that his emotional range, subtlety, harmonic blending and power are easily the equal of Wilson’s before him. Groom-Midson-Jeary are clearly capable of giving us the same all-out treatment that they did with Clone, and more (‘Oceanbound’ and ‘Long Way Home’ being two prominent examples). And the new (and from here on, permanent) drummer, Johanne James, is showing that he’s got no problem pushing up the power. They haven’t let up on the gas at all with regard to the kinetic, rhythmic drive, even in the longer, spaced-out epic songs. They keep a broad variation in their hand with the power-balladic ‘Sheltering Sky’ and the more subdued, almost pop-rockish ‘Keep My Head’. They’ve even fine-tuned some of the off-the-wall weirdness of Extinct Instinct and brought it back on board – but here it’s been dosed and channelled into the composition in a more seamless way, particularly in the disorienting opening riffs of ‘Light and Space’ and in some of the bridge passages of ‘The Ravages of Time’.

Lyrically, there’s not much to say that hasn’t been said before. They’ve got some of the old anti-consumerist, media-critical socio-political commentary here (in ‘Turn On, Tune In’ particularly), but it takes a decided back seat now to personal reflections and ‘Paradox’-style marvelling at the broad sweep of history. I have to wonder, actually, if Jon Jeary was reading Christopher Lasch when he was writing ‘Narcissus’ – in fact, a snarlingly-angry song which manages to combine both the troubled-relationship themes and the broader socially-aware scope in a particularly acerb way that is probably none too comfortable for the ideologues of right or left. Musically, ‘Narcissus’ is a behemoth which rides organ-drenched on one big, angry, falling riff with Mac belting out in an outraged snarl, and occasionally deliberately meandering into softer keyboard-laden passages with Mac’s soft voices echoing as from a long way away. But disturbingly, some of the sharpest lyrics are delivered in a sugary, harmony-drenched lull – mirroring the shock and sense of betrayal conveyed in them.

Now – let’s talk ‘The Ravages of Time’, the only song which could top ‘Narcissus’.

This song in particular is where Threshold’s formula really reaches its synthesis. The subtle, ticking-clock sound effects and eerie, atmospheric synth work which open the piece, occasionally to return, set the stage for the wild journey through the eons – followed quickly by a frenetic, rushing blare. Jeary’s songwriting here, with a simplicity that will fool you, points to the cyclical and seemingly-futile nature of history’s sweep in geological time – and turns this back into a meditation on the human condition; the realities of death and regret – ‘now the guilt is all on me’. Mac gives his all to this effort, ranging between a fearful quaver and full-throated lament. Each time you go back and listen to it, it seems even more brilliant. There’s no other way to describe this song but ‘sublime’.

In fact, I would apply that descriptor – thanks in no small part to this song in particular – to the whole album. Along with other superlatives like ‘masterwork’ and ‘indispensable’, in fact.

This is progressive heavy metal at its finest.

20 / 20

Good - 85%

Insin, April 19th, 2015

Threshold has never been a band to disappoint, and Hypothetical marks the beginning of their upward climb from their solid, but not amazing 1990s work to their more impressive 2000s. This band is generally reliable in terms of quality, both between and within albums, and Hypothetical’s songs are similar, but distinguishable. Verses contain heavy riffing and choruses are catchy and upbeat, giving the album a power metal feel. Threshold’s style is easily recognizable, possibly more on Hypothetical than any other release.

The highlight is easily the first track, Light and Space. With soaring and infectious keyboards and catchy drumwork, the high-energy song transitions smoothly from grinding verses to melodic, softer choruses. The intro is also one of the best I’ve heard from the band; about thirty seconds of ambiance followed by spacey keys alternating with the sound of wind – listen to this part with headphones on. One of the band’s best songs and not to be missed.

The album boasts two lengthy tracks that pass ten minutes: Ravages of Time and Narcissus. While the latter explores different moods and varying levels of heaviness, transitions between these are sloppy or nonexistent, causing a serious disjointedness. Individually, the parts work well, but they don’t sound like they should be part of the same song. Ravages of Time is an improvement, while not as varied as Narcissus, it’s much more unified and it showcases a frenetic opening riff that helps convey the lyrical themes of the song.

Hypothetical has its faults as well, in the awkward lyrics of Turn On Tune In, portions of Ravages of Time, and Narcissus. As mentioned earlier, the last song suffers from serious disjointedness resulting poor transitions. And of course, the cheesy soft rock style ballad that is Keep My Head just shouldn’t be there. While Threshold has had some good ballads in the past (see songs like Under the Sun, or actually, all of the nineties ballads), Keep My Head oozes an overly upbeat mood, emphasized by the uber-melodic guitar solo and ridiculously happy vocals, complete with overwhelming harmonies.

Overall, a solid album with the exception of Keep My Head. Threshold are not the musical masturbators that Dream Theater are, with just the right amount of technicality to be impressive but not pretentious, and the solos and songwriting on the album show it. Groom and West spit out some great solos throughout the album. Hypothetical might be a good place to start with the band for a taste of their style, but there are higher peaks in the Threshold discography. Still, it’s not to be missed for any fan.