Customer Reviews

Hypothetical

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Threshold's '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, harmonius vocals?) shining through each piece. Some will fault this reviewer for being "out to lunch", but in comparison, Mac's performances on these songs are in some ways reminescent of Steve Walsh's voacal 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, Mac's 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 West's 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" that's 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 it's 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 meloncholy, to powerful awe, to wire taut conflics, 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.

2001's 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 West's 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 band's keyboard heavy, Dream Theater influenced progressive metal style is intact here; it's 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!

Edition Notes: There is also a Limited Edition of Hypothetical that comes in a neat digipack and features a bonus track. The bonus track is an acoustic version of the song "Life Flow," which was originally on the Extinct Instinct album. It's a nice addition, especially since it lets us hear an older Threshold song with Mac singing. The Hypothetical Limited Edition is a bit harder to find than most other Threshold Limited Editions, but is well worth the search.

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 parousing 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 Moore's, 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 it's 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!!!!

This is simply one of the finest prog metal album around - and I don't say that lightly. Yes, Dream Theater and Shadow Gallery may have more technical ability, but for sheer audio enjoyment this squares up to them and holds its own. Light and Space is the song Threshold have long promised but never quite delivered, a masterfully blended meld of heavy riffs, abruptly changing time signatures, searing lead and soaring vocals. That they admit it was hard to record is proof of its brilliance. Turn On Tune In is very 'Latent Gene'-like, but my favourite has to be Sheltering Sky, with its wonderfully simple yet effective chorus lines. But this now - there's even a brilliantly amusing riff (the intro to Long Way Home) that is just SO old school Megtadeth!!!!!! Great stuff!!!!!!!!! This is simply a superb, intelligent, modern masterpiece that deserves more publicity.

After some exellent albums, thresholds star was rising with their singer Andrew Mcdermott as they made clone (prev. album) Now hypothetical is a fact!!! It is threshold at their best!! Enjoy the long tracks with their guitar and keyboard duels, and the emotion in the songs is thrilling. Especially the well balanced a bit heavenly lyrics will hit you in your soul. Well worth buying if you like the top of prog. metal! No... you should buy it blindfolded!

I'm being mean by not awarding this CD five stars but I really hate issuing five star reviews in case something better comes along!
This is an astonishingly good CD that is very difficult to pigeonhole. Band influences aside this is a mixture of power metal, prog and AOR!! The main catalyst to this is vocalist, Mac, who you could quite imagine pairing up with the likes of Journey or REO Speedwagon. This recipe could so easily have backfired but the song constructions, links and musicianship are so strong that it really works extremely well.
As a benchmark, the music feels close to Everygrey (but less morose), Enchant (but better production) and Queensryche (but less pretentious).

Overall a very pleasing new discovery for me and one where I will quickly invest in the back catalogue.

I normally don't like prog music as a genre. There are so few bands that can write epic tunes that are focused on the writing as much as the playing. Dream Theater is the worst example of this, but many other bands have fallen prey to that trait. Not so Threshold.

However, this is is fantastic album, a prog effort that doesn't feel too "proggy." Just about every song is amazing, from the fierce opener "Light and Space" to the epic "Narcissus."

However, the albums true high point is "Sheltering Sky" which is one of the most amazing ballads I've ever heard, featuring a guitar solo that is out of this world, and wouldn't have been out of place in an early 90's "power balld".

This album is one of my favorite new releases of the last 10 years, and is a must-get for those who appreciate the synthesis of musical talent and expert writing.

In some ways, Hypothetical is the most important album in the Threshold catalog. Unlike the albums that followed it, the songs on Hypthetical are the result of all band members contributing to the songwriting process and adding their own touch. It is diverse, progressive, melodic, and atmospheric at the same time -- with some of the finest vocal harmonies you will ever hear in progressive metal.

After Clone, their first album with Mac on vocals, Threshold established their identity and put out their most cohesive body of work. The production is sublime, with great clarity on the instrumentation and tons of nuance for the attentive listener. Crunchy guitar work dominates pretty much every tune, plowing through complex passages underscored by Richard West's trademark synth lines. West is right up there with Kevin Moore in my books. He infuses the songs with his unmistakable atmospheric signature and keeps everything in balance. The blazing guitars and thudding rhythmic anchor are constantly capped by his clever synth notes, never sacrificing songwriting for pyrotechnics. His tone selection ranges from vintage sounds to modern, Andromeda-like futuristic elements, and his unison solos are breathtaking, more so due to their note choice rather than their flashiness.

Unlike many of their counterparts, Threshold perfectly counterveils dexterous instrumental wizardy with gripping melodic harmonies and Mac's powerful vocalizations. Karl Groom's lead work on songs like "Light and Space" and "Oceanbound" are among his finest as is the 80s-like sweet lead of "Keep My Head," yet they are cleverly placed in the songs so as not to take away from Johanne James' drum slam and Jon Jeary's excellent bass parts. This is Jeary's final work with the band. His solo spot on "Long Way Home" carries the whole piece and works perfectly to contrast the smooth piano theme as well as the crushing main riff planted into mix.

Though Psychedelicatessen is still a personal favourite and their final album with Mac, Dead Reckoning, their pinnacle, I consider Hypothetical their most complete piece of work that encapsulates the current Threshold sound. Also, the album boasts two of their best songs ever. Both at over 10 minutes, "The Ravages of Time" and "Narcissus" remain unmatched to this day. The songs are both unconventionally structured as they are informed by myriad soundscapes, be it tense silences, brief yet addictive piano breaks, sweeping guitar and keyboard solos, and Mac's otherworldly choruses (as well as prechoruses). The man's voice is a cross between a metallic Phil Collins and Jon Anderson, but still this comparison does not do it justice. His multiple vocal parts on both tunes would put any other prog band to shame. (He passed away a few days ago and I have been playing all the albums in his memory.)

Many have said Threshold have expanded on the foundation they built with Hypothetical, and while that's a fair assessment, they never quite recaptured the same intensity again. This is an essential album for any progressive metal fan.

Trust me I have no loyalty or secret agenda towards any band,
my view I keep objective as I am a progressive collecter,
and I only want 4 or above star rating in my quality collection.
Now its time to answer the question, is Hyperthetical a worth while investment? and the answer..........YES
This is Threshold old and new roled into one
classic prog with some dark tones, serenity and fusion merged as one, in a very hot melting pot of creative ideas.
I liked Clone but Hypotheical captures the emotion and technical aspects of new prog metal at a standard improved to all releases prior. Now they sound like Threshold !!!!

What an absolutely talented band !! Progressive, melodic, heavy, intelligent are just a few words that come to mind when describing this CD. Every song is very strong for different reasons.
I enjoy listening to Symphony X, Rhapsody, Iced Earth, Jag Panzer, Nevermore, Evergrey, Angra, and if you listen to any of these bands you will no doubt agree that this release from Threshold is up there with the best of them.