Saturday, November 22, 2014

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Threshold


No reproduction/reuse/reprinting/modification/sharing without explicit, written permission, and/or license agreement.  Violations will be litigated in Germany and in the United States.  Usage with credit/attribution, but no agreement, is still unauthorized. 

Please share original link. 


Links to other concerts below. 

Special thanks to Richard West/Threshold


A larger set than what I'm normally used to posting.  However, from beginning to end, Threshold delivered one of the most outstanding and unpredictable shows I've seen anywhere, from any band.  Coupled with their outstanding performance was an incredibly enthusiastic crowd that brought themselves into the extraordinarily interactive show.  Comparatively, Threshold's level of interaction with one another and the audience blew away Saint Vitus, who performed just recently in Munich before Wino's deportation from Europe (picture gallery here).  The hall appeared to be at near-capacity and seemingly as dense as during the Insomnium/Fleshgod Apocalypse/Stam1na show that was confirmed as "sold out" a few days before (picture gallery here).

Threshold, from the UK, plays their own unique version of progressive metal- one that is, unusually, not easily compared to any of the other major names in the genre.  In fact, before the proliferation of prog metal some years ago, Threshold was considered to be one of the "Big 4/5" of prog metal (Dream Theater, Symphony X, Vanden Plas, Fates Warning).  However, where they deviated from some of their peers was and still is in the fact that Threshold appears to write solid songs first, to which they add the more progressive embellishments. The resultant is music that is classy and focuses on atmosphere and emotion, as well as the interplay of the world-class musicians that make Threshold.  This is a refreshing take over seeing individuals fighting for the spotlight.  


Clearly, Threshold is still one of the best prog metal bands in the world, with creative output, despite difficulties and tragedies along the way, firmly on the upswing nearly 22 years after their debut.  

The band devoted a good amount of their current set to recent efforts, but with good reason- they're still able to produce "classic" songs and albums that can stand up to the music of their previous eras.  In my opinion, it's nearly a travesty for prog fans in the US that they only do infrequent, single-date engagements. The performances are simply too good and, in fact, surpass those of certain peers.  

Thus, I've extended the gallery beyond what I normally post.

www.thresh.net
www.facebook.com/threshold
www.twitter.com/threshold
Threshold @ Nuclear Blast (DE) link
Threshold @ Nuclear Blast (NA) link




Richard West Keyboards

Pete Morten Guitar


Damian Wilson Vocals


Karl Groom Guitar

Steve Anderson Bass


Johanne James Drums












 



 
 




 



 










  

Dat yoga...

 
Early comment: "That drummer has charisma for days. Very photogenic." -FT, Finland


 









 



Damian's version of the "Wall Of Death" (or "Wall Of Love", as renamed by one spectator).




 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Damian pointing at something.
Johanne pointing at Damian.




 
Damian pointing at something again.



 





 



 







 

 
 






Negotiations with the crowd on how to surf.


Damian launching into the crowd (missed focus).
Damian crowdsurfing at the end of the show.





Related:
1349 here
Insomnium here
Fleshgod Apocalypse and Stam1na here
PHILM (feat. Dave Lombardo) here
Saint Vitus and Orange Goblin here 
Clutch live here
Mayhem live here
Hirax live here
Long Distance Calling 2014 here
Ghost Brigade here 
God Seed live here
Nachtgarm (Negator) here
sG (Secrets Of The Moon) here 
Hamferd live/interview here
Swallow The Sun live here
Amorphis live here 
Interview with Laakso (Kuolemanlaakso) & V. Santura here 
Orange Goblin live here
Kadavar live here
Valient Thorr live here
Krakow live here  
Solstafir live here
Audrey Horne live/interview here
Kalmah live here
Attic live here
Victor Griffin's In Graved live here
Valborg live here
Bison (Bison BC) here
Triptykon live here
Long Distance Calling live/interview here