Threshold is an English progressive metal band formed in Surrey in the late… Read Full Bio ↴Threshold is an English progressive metal band formed in Surrey in the late 1980s. They began their career in 1988, initially playing covers of metal groups like Ratt and Testament. As they continued playing together, they began to write their own songs, and eventually stopped playing covers altogether. Early recordings were released locally on cassette under the band name "If Not, Why?". They played their first gig at The Compasses in Egham, Surrey, with Jon Jeary on vocals and Ian Bennett on bass. In 1992, they signed their first record deal, and after adding vocalist Damian Wilson to the group alongside guitarists Karl Groom and Nick Midson, bassist Jon Jeary and drummer Tony Grinham, produced their first commercial recording, "Intervention," which was released on a Dutch progressive rock compilation album. Shortly afterwards, keyboardist Richard West joined the band, and he remains with them to this day.

1993–1999
The band's debut album, Wounded Land, was released in 1993, taking its name and some thematic elements from Stephen R. Donaldson's novel of the same name. Wilson was unavailable to join the band for the follow-up tour, and so Glynn Morgan was recruited to replace him. He sang on the band's 1994 second recording, Psychedelicatessen, which spawned a music video for the song "Innocent," the band's first. The following year, Morgan and the band toured Europe and recorded some of their performances for the short live album, Livedelica.

Threshold took a break before their next effort, during which time Morgan and then-drummer Jay Micciche left to form Mindfeed. Rather than finding an unknown singer to replace him, the band turned again to Damian Wilson, and together they recorded 1997's Extinct Instinct. They followed this with another tour of Europe, this time supported by Enchant. Additionally, Johanne James, the band's current drummer, played with them for the first time during this tour. Wilson was unavailable for their next album, so former Sargant Fury vocalist Andrew "Mac" McDermott, joined to record Clone and would remain with them until 2007.

2000–2005
In 2001, Threshold released Hypothetical, which saw Johanne James firmly cemented as the band's permanent drummer. Another lineup change occurred in 2003, when bassist Jon Jeary left and was replaced by Steve Anderson. Around this time the band also re-released their first three studio albums in Special Editions, with bonus tracks, a remastered sound, expanded liner notes and, in the case of Wounded Land and Psychedelicatessen, special CD-ROM content. Their newer albums, starting with Hypothetical, were released in Limited Editions, with similar bonus content. The albums Critical Mass (2002) and Subsurface (2004) followed, interspersed by the double live album and DVD Critical Energy.

2006–2011
Threshold left their longtime label, InsideOut Music, in 2006 to join Nuclear Blast Records. Guitarist Nick Midson left the band in early 2007 for unknown reasons. The band released Dead Reckoning which spawned a music video for an edit of the song "Pilot in the Sky of Dreams". The song also appeared on the 2008 movie soundtrack In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale. This marks the first occasion of a song by the band appearing in a motion picture. In July 2007 vocalist Mac left the band and original singer Damian Wilson returned as Threshold's frontman for the first time in nearly a decade for the band's tour dates which extended into 2009. Pete Morten replaced Midson as guitarist for the tour and later albums. InsideOut Music released the first official Threshold compilation in November 2007. The album The Ravages of Time is a two-disc set covering all of the band's official albums from Wounded Land to Dead Reckoning. In 2009 the band released a limited edition eight-disc singles box set, including previously unreleased b-sides and brand new re-recordings of old demo songs released in other forms before, including Smile at the Moon, (which was debuted live on the 2009 Essence of Progression Tour), Shifting Sands, Half Way Home and Fist of Tongues. On 3 August 2011, former vocalist Andrew McDermott died of kidney failure.

2012–2017
On 24 August 2012, Nuclear Blast announced the release of March of Progress. It was the first album to feature Damian Wilson on vocals since 1997. The album was followed on 19 September 2014 by the band's tenth studio album For the Journey. The following year the band released the double live album "European Journey" recorded during their November 2014 tour. In February 2017, Pete Morten left Threshold to focus on his own projects, and the following month Threshold announced that they had parted ways with Damian Wilson.

2017–present
Glynn Morgan, the band's former vocalist from 1994 to 1996 replaced Damian Wilson for the album Legends of the Shires released in September 2017. The album entered the top 20 of the national album charts in Germany and Switzerland and spawned a music video for the song "Small Dark Lines". The following year the band released the live album "Two-Zero-One-Seven" recorded during their 2017 European tour. In July 2021 Threshold announced that they were back in the studio recording their twelfth studio album, teasing that "if Legends of the Shires had a slightly darker, moodier older brother then this would be it". In July 2022, the band announced their 12th album would be titled Dividing Lines, and it was released on 18 November 2022.

Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Threshold_(band)

Studio albums
Wounded Land (1993)
Psychedelicatessen (1994)
Extinct Instinct (1997)
Clone (1998)
Hypothetical (2001)
Critical Mass (2002)
Subsurface (2004)
Dead Reckoning (2007)
March of Progress (2012)
For the Journey (2014)
Legends of the Shires (2017)
Dividing Lines (2022)

In the past there have been other bands who used the name Threshold:

1. An R&B band. Fronted by singer Angela Carole Brown, and led by composer/guitarist Linda Taylor, Threshold includes drummer Laval Belle (Earth, Wind & Fire), bassist Del Atkins (Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige), organist Mikal Majeed (Rick Zunigar), keyboardist Ed Roth (Coolio, The Brothers Johnson), and singers Catte Adams (Chaka Khan, Natalie Cole) and Janelle Sadler (Natalie Cole, Ozzy Osbourne).

2. Finnish progressive rock band/project Threshold released their lone album "Paradise Now" in 1981. The band was a brainchild of (Pelle Miljoona's bassist) Ari Taskinen who wrote all the songs and plays keyboards and 12-string guitar here. Others participating were Vando Suvanto, Esa Kotilainen, Yari, Rubberduck Jones, Stefan Jones, Pia Noponen and Jone Takamäki.

3. A Progressive Thrash Metal band from France. The band formed in 1988 and released an album in 1991 entitled: "Within the Expanse". Band members include: Stein Guitton - Guitar, Tristan Leroy - Guitar, François Morgues - Bass, and Regis Lebrun - Drums.

4. An Atlanta-based religious punk band from the 80s. Threshold is an obscure band who appears on "The View: An Atlanta Compilation 1984-1990."

Critical Mass
Threshold Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

(Part One: fission)

Atom by atom gaining a few
Collapsing and waxing and building anew
Eleven dimensions curled up so tight
Time and space one thing the speed limit light

Neutron and proton collapsing afresh

More complex carbons creating the flesh
Super string membranes dark matter burst
Pulling together our universe

Strange, charm and gluons imploding again
All of this matter formed into men

Energy everywhere and no drop to drink
Each generation a chain in the link
Science has helped us in getting this far
The road has run out so get out of the car

We're approaching the critical mass

What will become of the spirit of man?
What is the story and how does it end?
Where are the boundaries and where are the doors?
Who are the heroes for fighting this war?

How did I meet you and why have we spent
Our lives together, why were we sent?
I know that I've lived with you twelve times before
We're growing together, but what is it for?

We're approaching the critical mass

What will become of the spirit of man?
What is the story and how does it end?
Where are the boundaries and where are the doors?
Who are the heroes for fighting this war?

This means war

(Part Two: Fusion)

(Instrumental)

(Part Three: Lucky)

I've only just found it
It's slippin' away and there's nothing I can do
I've only just found it
It's slippin' away and there's nothing I can do

I don't pray so i'll have to stay lucky
I don't pray so i'll have to stay lucky

I was dead I was alive
I've been everyone in this life
I was alive I was dead
I've heard everything ever said

But...
I've only just found it
It's slippin' away and there's nothing I can do
I've only just found it
It's slippin' away and there's nothing I can do

I don't pray so i'll have to stay lucky
I don't pray so i'll have to stay lucky

I was awake I was asleep
I never had anything that I could keep
I was asleep I was awake
I never broke anything I couldn't make

But...

I've only just found it
It's slippin' away and there's nothing I can do

Overall Meaning

The song "Critical Mass" by Threshold is divided into three parts: "fission," "fusion," and "lucky," each exploring different themes. In "fission," the lyrics describe the formation of the universe, from the smallest particles to complex structures like carbon and eventually human beings. The idea of reaching critical mass is introduced, suggesting that humans are approaching a pivotal point in their existence. The questions posed in the chorus, "What will become of the spirit of man? What is the story and how does it end? Where are the boundaries and where are the doors? Who are the heroes for fighting this war?" speak to the uncertainty and anxiety that comes with rapid progress.

The instrumental "fusion" section allows the listener to contemplate the themes introduced in the first part while the final part, "lucky," shifts to a more personal and reflective perspective. The singer acknowledges the fleeting nature of life and the struggles to maintain control in a constantly changing world. The repeated line "I don't pray so I'll have to stay lucky" suggests a reliance on fate or chance to guide one's path. The final stanza describes a sense of detachment from life's experiences, having lived through many different situations but feeling like nothing could be held onto.

Overall, the song's lyrics speak to the themes of progress, uncertainty, and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world. The use of scientific language and concepts adds an interesting layer to the existential questions being posed.

Line by Line Meaning

Atom by atom gaining a few Collapsing and waxing and building anew Eleven dimensions curled up so tight Time and space one thing the speed limit light
The process of creation and evolution from a simple atom to a complex system made of eleven dimensions with time and space being one entity is described through collapse and fusion processes.

Neutron and proton collapsing afresh More complex carbons creating the flesh Super string membranes dark matter burst Pulling together our universe Strange, charm and gluons imploding again All of this matter formed into men
This verse continues to describe the creation process of complex molecules and superstring membranes which eventually merge together to form human beings as we know them.

Energy everywhere and no drop to drink Each generation a chain in the link Science has helped us in getting this far The road has run out so get out of the car We're approaching the critical mass
Having arrived at the current state of scientific knowledge, there is a sense of urgency to reach a critical mass of knowledge to overcome the limitations associated with the current paradigm.

What will become of the spirit of man? What is the story and how does it end? Where are the boundaries and where are the doors? Who are the heroes for fighting this war?
This verse explores existential questions about the fate of humanity and what challenges we must overcome to move forward. It also highlights the need for heroic figures to lead the way.

I know that I've lived with you twelve times before We're growing together, but what is it for? We're approaching the critical mass
The focus shifts to personal, emotional relationships, perhaps highlighting the importance of connection in overcoming obstacles. However, the same sense of urgency prevails.

This means war
There is a sense of conflict and struggle associated with the challenges we face, and we must approach them as if we are at war.

I've only just found it It's slippin' away and there's nothing I can do I don't pray so i'll have to stay lucky I was dead I was alive I've been everyone in this life I was alive I was dead I've heard everything ever said I was awake I was asleep I never had anything that I could keep I was asleep I was awake I never broke anything I couldn't make But... I've only just found it It's slippin' away and there's nothing I can do I don't pray so i'll have to stay lucky
The final part of the song is more introspective, with a focus on the search for meaning in one's own life and the knowledge that time and opportunities are slipping away. Despite this, there is a sense of hope and determination to stay lucky and make the most of what we have.

Contributed by Joseph V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS