Threshold

Threshold are a progressive metal group from Surrey, United Kingdom, formed in 1988 and active since then. Guitarist and producer Karl Groom is the only constant member in the band’s history. Their early work begins with cover versions of songs by metal groups including Ratt and Testament, before they move into original material. Early recordings appear locally on cassette under the name If Not, Why?

Formation and early releases

The band’s first live performance takes place at The Compasses in Egham, Surrey. At that point the line-up includes Jon Jeary on vocals, Ian Bennett on bass, Karl Groom and Nick Midson on guitars, and Tony Grinham on drums. In 1992 the band signs a recording contract and records Intervention for a Dutch progressive rock compilation, with Damian Wilson on vocals and Richard West soon joining on keyboards as a long-term member.

The debut album Wounded Land appears in 1993 and is themed around the Stephen R. Donaldson novel of the same name. Wilson does not tour for the album and Glynn Morgan replaces him on vocals. Morgan sings on Psychedelicatessen in 1994, which includes the band’s first music video, for “Innocent”, and is followed by live recordings issued as Livedelica.

Line-up changes and 1990s to 2000s releases

After a hiatus, Damian Wilson returns for Extinct Instinct in 1997. The band tours Europe again with support from Enchant, and Johanne James performs with the group for the first time as drummer during that period. Andrew McDermott then joins as vocalist and records Clone, remaining with Threshold until 2007. Hypothetical follows in 2001 and marks Johanne James’s arrival as permanent drummer.

Bassist Jon Jeary leaves in 2003 and Steve Anderson takes over on bass. Around the same time, the first three albums are reissued in expanded, remastered editions. Further releases include Critical Mass in 2002, Subsurface in 2004, and the live album and DVD Critical Energy.

Label changes, touring and later work

Threshold leave their long-time label in 2006 and sign with Non Stop Music. Nick Midson departs in early 2007, with Pete Morten later replacing him on guitar for tours and recordings. Dead Reckoning appears in 2007 and includes the video for “Pilot in the Sky of Dreams”. The song also appears on the soundtrack to In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale, the band’s first appearance in a motion picture. Later in 2007 McDermott leaves, and Damian Wilson returns for touring activities through 2009.

The compilation The Ravages of Time follows in 2007, covering material from Wounded Land to Dead Reckoning. In 2009 the band issues a limited edition singles box set containing previously unreleased material and re-recordings of early demos. Andrew McDermott dies in 2011.

March of Progress appears in 2012 and is the first album to feature Damian Wilson since 1997. For the Journey follows in 2014, and European Journey, a live album documenting the 2014 tour, is released in 2015. Pete Morten leaves in 2017, and the band also parts ways with Wilson shortly after. Glynn Morgan returns for Legends of the Shires in 2017, which reaches the top 20 of the album charts in Germany and Switzerland and includes the video for “Small Dark Lines”. Two-Zero-One-Seven, a live album, appears in 2018.

Dividing Lines and recent activity

The band begins recording its twelfth studio album in 2021. Dividing Lines is announced in 2022 and released that year, entering the top 20 in Switzerland and the top 40 in Germany. The project begins as a sequel to Legends of the Shires, but that idea is later abandoned. Around the same period, Richard West develops a related concept album under a separate project, and his autobiography Maybe A Writer - My Life In Threshold is published.

In 2024 Threshold release newly remixed editions of Wounded Land, Psychedelicatessen, Extinct Instinct and Clone on CD and vinyl. These releases are followed by the Threshold Through Time Tour, with material drawn from all twelve studio albums. During those performances, Alessio Garavello substitutes for Glynn Morgan, who is unable to perform because of a throat condition.