Veteran Progressive Metal band THRESHOLD formed in 1998 in the UK. Their label did not have any information about this latest release on their website. "Dividing Lines" is their 12^th full length album release, and contains ten songs. "Haunted" is the first. It's heavy on electronic elements as much as the guitars. The chorus is rich and full, but the verses need thickening up a bit, and the guitar riff is pretty simple. "Hall of Echoes" features an energetic and heavier riff with some nice backing keyboards. Admittedly, I am not familiar with this band, but they seem to favor concise arrangements over more obvious Progressive elements.

By contrast, "Let It Burn" is a sultry, melodic song with plenty of Progressive elements. The vocals are poignant and energetic, and the song has an ominous quality. The lead work is also really strong. "Silenced" is the first single released ahead of the album. It features choppy tones in the rhythms and melodies from keys and backing elements. The chorus is pretty good as well, and again, the Progressive elements are more noticeable. "The Domino Effect" is one of two longer songs. The opening sequence is quite lovely, and an ardent riff follows. That instrumental break that follow the second chorus is downright bossy. The song takes a mellow, PINK FLOYD sound from there, before another extended instrumental passage and back to the previous sound to finish.

"Complex" has a nice combination of guitars and keys, with darker sounds in the verses, but sunnier in the chorus with harmonized vocals. This album is slowly getting better as it continues. "King of Nothing" is a tale of lost love, or mentorship. The song is a little more dark and ominous than some of the others, with a really strong vocal performance. "Lost Along the Way" begins with melodic keys leading to a smooth, and pleasing sound. Tension hangs in the air through much of the song, but the harmonies in the chorus bust right out. It might be the best song on the album. "Defense Condition" closes the album; the second long song. It has some fire in the main riff, and the song passes in an out of stormy skies and clear blue bliss. It follows a linear path until the half-way mark, when it takes a darker turn.

Overall, this was a good album to listen to. The production was excellent. Everything was crystal clear. There were a couple of stand-out songs, and a couple that I could do without, so the median is somewhere in between. I like mostly how the band tempers their musicianship favoring songwriting over extended jam sections, which they are clearly capable of. In the end I would be lying however if I didn't mark some degree of disappointment, and the hope for a little more bombast or dynamic texture. There was some, but a little more would have thrown the album over the top.