Review Summary: Threat Signal is now but a shadow of their former selves.
While there latest output has the same sounds as their debut record
Under Reprisal, their self titled release falls short of creating the same impression on listeners. Where the debut album had a refreshing sound,
Threat Signal simply lacks the flair and raw energy to see them both in the same light. Recycled ideas littered with the somewhat overused breakdowns and chugged riffs leave the listener simply expecting more.
The music itself isn’t actually a complete write off, just incredibly bland. There is a niggling feeling that the band has returned to a successful (or at least a better liked) sound just to please a diminishing fan base. While they have essentially returned to their roots, Threat Signal just doesn’t give the same force to the self titled release to ensure the release of some higher quality material. Unfortunately this release drips into an overflowing metal of mundane albums and does little to stand out in any way. Rest assured that this is better than the band’s sophomore attempt
Vigilance – but only just.
Threat Signal has become a shadow of their former selves. Their latest attempt echoes like a rock thrown into the Grand Canyon, you might hear it a couple of times getting weaker and weaker but the music never was an explosion that shook the listener to the very core. Not helping
Threat Signal is the fact that tracts blend together, both in structuring and musical ideas. Tracks become even more un-memorable and more often than not listeners will wonder where one track ends and the next begins.
Threat Signal for the most part is built on the rehashing and recycling of the band’s done before ideas. The explosion of riff after riff adds to the monotonous and dragging feel of the album, coupled with similar sounding vocal phrasing and drum triggers.
By now, listeners can tell this record is utterly uninspiring, the fact that
Threat Signal is obviously not trying for any direct innovation or even hints at a revolutionary stage for the band hurts the outcomes of the album. Listeners can tell they’re not trying anything new, the band can tell they’re not trying anything new. Ultimately the result becomes a snooze fest for the listener.
For the casual Threat Signal fan, there are going to be some ear pleasing moments, especially for those who preferred the
Under Reprisal production. But, for many others this album may convince them to never revisit the band. All in all, the return to a solid (better liked) sound has seen an improvement when compared to
Vigilance but falls short of the debut.
Threat Signal is a rather averagely stale and emotionless addition to the band’s discography.
