02: THRESHOLD - Clone (1998)

Introduction by Andy Read

"As is often the case with long-established bands, many people come to the party a little late. Brit prog metallers Threshold have been releasing albums since 1993 (Wounded Land). Those who've only discovered their music in recent years, will be left wondering where in the back catalogue they should start. This would be my recommendation. Released in the days when the band couldn't even land a gig in their home country, Clone was one of the albums that first turned me on to progressive metal in a big way. I put it on while decorating a bedroom. It stayed on repeat until I'd finished. The wall was going from dark green to magnolia - it took two days!"


From the 1998 archives, read the original review by the DPRP's Rene Jansen, and see what score he gave the album:
Read it here

Watch Threshold play the third track (The Latent Gene) live, with the late Mac McDermott on lead vocals.
Watch the video here

The whole album is currently available on Spotify and can be purchased from the band website as a CD and in double vinyl.
Buy it here
Listen to it here

01: PORCUPINE TREE - The Sky Moves Sideways (1995/2004)

Introduction by Martin Burns

  "Having come to the Porcupine Tree party late in the mid-2000s and then catching them live, I thought what else have I missed.  So, as all new converts do (You do don't you?) I splurged on older recordings. I liked some more than others, but found myself returning to this album, as it wormed its way into my listening habits.
   An oddball record in the Porcupine Tree cannon; half solo album, half fledgling-band recording, it has a delicious tension between its spacey prog leanings, ambient rock workouts and dance elements. Porcupine Tree never really used keyboards in this way again. It is an album of the moment and paradoxically trendless at the same time.
   It points to all kinds of potential paths to follow; some emerging in later recordings and some abandoned altogether. If you have been listening to Pink Floyd's The Endless River, you'll find this one got there first in many ways. The Sky Moves Sideways: endlessly playable, endlessly enjoyable."


From our 2004 archives, read the original review of the remastered 2CD version by the DPRP's Ed Sander, and see what score he gave the album.
Read it here

Listen to the third track (The Sky Moves Sideways).
Video on YouTube here

The whole album can be purchased from the band website, as a remastered CD and in double vinyl.
Buy it from the band website here