Threshold - Critical Energy (2004/InsideOut)
Rating - 7.0

This is a double-live CD, and the first in-concert release for the band. The band is spot-on with its performance, showing their technical talents and prowess with flying colors. However, there is a downside to the offering: the crowd is difficult to hear, and they don’t really "get into" many of the songs -- lending a somewhat studio feel to much of the effort, despite the between-songs banter of the band. Perhaps it’s just personal preference, but I enjoy hearing the crowd chants, them singing along, cheering, and so forth. In that regard, the mix and delivery leaves a bit to be desired.
Highlights from disc one include "Oceanborn," "Choices," and "Fragmentation," and both "Paradox" and "Sanity’s End" stand out at the end of the show. The band includes a small acoustic section to their set, but some of their best "heavy" tracks are a part of it. Booo, hisss! "Life Flow" and half of "Narcissus," for example, are unplugged and zapped of some of their energy.
In all, this will likely be a strong addition for Threshold fans (especially those of the past 2-3 releases), but is not really recommended for someone looking for an initial introduction to the band.

TRACK LIST: DISC ONE--Phenomenon/Oceanborn/Choices/Angels/Falling Away/Virtual Isolation/Innocent/Long Way Home/Fragmentation
DISC TWO--Clear/Life Flow/Narcissus/Sunseeker/Latent Gene/Light and Space/Sunrise on Mars/Paradox/Sanity’s End

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