THRESHOLD — Psychedelicatessen (review)

THRESHOLD — Psychedelicatessen album cover

Album · 1994 · Progressive Metal

3/5 · 2010-05-30
SouthSideoftheSky

Not particularly psychedelic, despite the title!

Psychedelicatessen is quite different from the rest of Threshold's albums. Comparing it to the two albums that surrounded it - Wounded Land and Extinct Instinct - it is indeed not entirely out of place to wonder whether this really is the same band! One major factor here is that both of these two other albums had Damian Wilson on vocals, while Psychedelicatessen is the sole Threshold album with Glynn Morgan handling those duties. While not as distinctive as Wilson, Morgan is a fine vocalist that does a good job here. But the vocals are not the only thing that sets Psychedelicatessen apart from Wounded Land and Extinct Instinct. This one has a heavier sound and has much less of the Neo-Prog tendencies of those other albums.

Having recently reviewed albums (for Prog Archives) by the Neo-Prog band Shadowland, I was reminded of Threshold because of the presence of guitarist Karl Groom in both these bands. Groom is (I discovered just now), however, not the only member these bands have in common. Also drummer Nick Herradence was a member of both of these bands. But despite this overlap in terms of personnel, anyone looking for musical connections between the two bands would be hard pressed to find any on this album. Comparing Psychedelicatessen with Shadowland's Through The Looking Glass (that was released the very same year and involves both Groom and Herradence) the difference in musical style and approach is striking. The Neo-Prog tendencies that were displayed on Threshold's first album (and to some extent also on Extinct Instinct) are almost wholly absent here. Psychedelicatessen is possibly Threshold's heaviest and least melodic album. I'm not saying that this is not melodic, just that there is more focus on riffs than on melodies. Also, Psychedelicatessen is perhaps less overtly progressive.

It took longer for me to get into this album compared to the other Threshold albums I mentioned, and with every listen I'm enjoying Psychedelicatessen a bit more. It sometimes reminds me of Black Sabbath's 90's albums, particularly Cross Purposes that was released the same year. The music is riff-based and the solos and instrumental breaks alternate between guitars and keyboards. They obviously know how to play their instruments, but despite their talents they often come across as slightly anonymous on this album. The sound they produce lacks a strong identity of its own.

There is a decent balance between aggressive and mellow moments and between riffs, melodies and instrumental work outs. Under The Sun is a pleasant Symphonic ballad based on piano, acoustic guitar and some flute-like keyboards and as such stands out from the other songs. There are no songs that stand out as really excellent, but there is also nothing really weak here. I would not recommend starting your investigation of Threshold with this album. Both Wounded Land and Extinct Instinct are better albums in my opinion.

A good album, but not essential