THRESHOLD – WOUNDED LAND and PSYCHEDELICATESSEN (1993/ 1994 RM 2024)

Overtaking previous remasters, Karl Groom and Richard West, guitarist and keyboardist respectively, have overhauled Threshold’s first two CDs. “Wounded Land”, their fine debut concept album dealing with topics like ecology, war and greed, marked a fine debut for legendary prog singer Damian Wilson, who unfortunately left before the second album. Remastering is frequently questioned as to how necessary it is, but in this case, “Wounded Land” was recorded on analogue tape, and improvement of the general sound and toning down of an inclination towards thrash metal in the guitars are welcome. Threshold cognoscenti report that tracks like ‘Consume to Live’ are transformed. As this was my own introduction to Threshold I have a real soft spot for it, still recalling epics like ‘Surface to Air’ and ‘Paradox’ with fondness.

“Psychedelicatessen” continued in similar vein with a crossover appeal to HM fans and prog rockers with deep, dark messages, railing at monetarism: “you’ve made your last deal” on ‘Babylon Rising’. New singer Glynn Morgan delivers a poignant vocal on the somewhat fatalistic 3-minute ‘Under the Sun’. Then there are the soaring guitar runs in the 10-minute ‘Into the Light’; potent prog metal at its best.

There are three bonus tracks on the debut and four on the sophomore: check them out. They are available on limited 2 x LP and CD.