Pain of Salvation
'The Perfect Element Part 1'

1. Used
2. In The Flesh
3. Ashes
4. Morning On Earth
5. Idioglossia
6. Her Voices
7. Dedication
8. King Of Loss
9. Reconcilliation
10. Song For The Innocent
11. Falling
12. The Perfect Element

Home Page: http://www.algonet.se/~gilden/

Those nice folks at Inside Out sent me a promotional package the other week of their new releases. I didn't get round to start listening to the CDs until this weekend - Mainly, I have to admit, as it seemed to be all 'Prog Metal' a genre I really don't have a like or understanding of - However amongst the package was the new CD by Sweden's 'Pain Of Salvation' "The Perfect Element" - Part 1 of a concept (so I'm lead to believe) concerning the meeting and history of two rather emotional disturbed individuals.

It's really blown me away! Its how Dream Theater should sound - Full of heavy grunge like dramatics, fast but melodious playing with real power and a warm emotional quality that I find missing from all the other 'Progressive Metal' I have ever heard. What really sets this band apart is that, turning their back on the 'stunt' keyboard and guitar work that usually puts me so much off this genre, Pain Of Salvation appear far more interested in melodious invention than their major contemporaries.

The band have a fine sense of dynamics knowing just when to use the full out grunge and (this sets them apart) - for exactly how long... Balancing this maelstrom by some sublime moments of haunting beauty, the music never gets boring and takes many surprising musical twists and turns. One moment its Nirvana - Pearl Jam, the next - David Bowie - Pink Floyd - Deep Purple with even a nod or two to the 'Classic Prog' symphonic sound. As a possible further point of reference, a friend of ours described the album as "The Smashing Pumpkins how I always wanted them to sound " The band do not confine themselves to the normal keyboard, guitar, drums line up as, along with fine harmony vocals, other instrumentation I can make out includes some Bluesy Jazz guitar lead work/ Fretless Bass / Grand Piano and Acoustic, Orchestral Strings and even some computerised 'loops' - On a 'Prog Metal' album??!!!

A special point should also be made about the albums mix and production - clean and crisp with a rich deep bass end.

This is the first music I have heard from this band but if the previous albums are anywhere near as good I want to investigate further

There have been some amazing albums released this year but this and TFK's 'Space Revolver 'certainly get my vote for the most 'original' and intriguing of the year - AND I DONT LIKE PROG METAL :-)

Striking, melodic, emotionally disturbed music - The Perfect Element(s) !

Stand Out Tracks : Ashes / Morning On Earth / Falling


Ian Oakley October 2000