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One
could never accuse Threshold of being a band afraid to take chances.
Over the past 5 years, this progressive metal band from London have
managed to overcome a succession of internal upheavals resulting in
various line up changes, whilst still producing some of the finest
albums in this genre of music. Clone is no exception and could be their
finest effort to date. The band have yet again surprised audiences by
enlisting the services of new front man, ex-Sargeant Fury vocalist,
Andrew "Mac" McDermott. Clone sees Threshold pulling no
punches and delivering what has already been hailed as their finest
album since their classic debut Wounded Land.
Wounded Land was released on GEP in 1993 to critical acclaim. A
dedicated line up of musicians comprising Damian Wilson (vocals), Karl
Groom and Nick Midson (guitars), Jon Jeary (bass), Richard West
(keyboards) and Tony Grinham (drums) quickly received a lot of attention
in the press and garnered excellent reviews all over Europe and Japan.
The band took its first blow shortly after the release of their first
album when Damian Wilson decided to leave the band to pursue other
projects. His replacement Glynn Morgan was quickly accepted by the fans
and proved to be a valuable asset as a song writer also. The band
embarked upon their first European tour in 1994 co-headlining with
Norwegian metallers Conception and received rave reviews. An important
open air festival in Belgium closed the tour where the band shared the
same bill with such names as Whitesnake, Paradise Lost, Gotthard and
Tyketto.
1995 saw Threshold enter the studio to write and record a follow up to
their successful debut. More line up changes were to occur, this time in
the drum seat with the departure of Tony Grinham who wished to devote
more time to his new family. An old friend in the guise of Nick
Harradence was quickly drafted and the band completed their new album,
Psychedelicatessen. Heavier in its approach yet still with a progressive
edge, the album received another succession of rave reviews and advance
sales for the album topped 5000 in the first week. The Dutch magazine
Aardschock even named it their album of the month. Not completely
satisfied with the rhythm section, a replacement for Nick Harradence was
soon found with 18 year old Jay Micciche, who's aggressive double bass
playing complimented the band's harder sound. To promote the new album,
the band recorded a video for the track Innocent and went out on a 25
date European tour with American band Psychotic Waltz. A mini live
album, Livedelica was issued by GEP and further dates in Europe, this
time with Dream Theater helped to strengthen the band's already growing
fan base by playing to much larger audiences.
Shortly after the tour, further unrest in the band prompted the sudden
departure of both Glynn Morgan and Jay Micciche during the Summer of
1996. With the original song writing team still very much intact,
Threshold were not about to let this latest turn of events slow them
down. A new album, Extinct Instinct was recorded with the surprise
return of original vocalist Damian Wilson and new session drummer Mark
Heaney. The album was released to mixed reactions but received the
coveted album of the month in Germany's Rock Hard magazine. A successful
tour with American progressive rock band Enchant followed the album's
release taking the band across Europe once again showing that the band
still continued to fare well amongst its dedicated following. By the end
of the Summer of 1997 the band were convinced that Damian would not be a
permanent fixture to the line up and the search for a replacement began
once again.
Reconvening in the new year, the band headed back into the studio to
write material for what would be their finest work yet. Ex- Sargeant
Fury vocalist Andrew McDermott was recruited as the band's new front man
and Clone, an ambitious new concept album was conceived. Now Threshold
are back with a new enthusiasm, eager to silence any doubts that may
have arisen over their turbulent history so far. Clone is typical
Threshold keeping the sound progressive yet very accessible whilst
portraying a darker moodier side of the band. Live dates are expected to
follow soon.
The
following Threshold CD's are available through G.E.P. Limited:
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