Pain of Salvation

Wednesday, 24 August 2011 16:52

Pain of Salvation

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Band: Pain of Salvation
Album: Road Salt Two
Label: Insideout
Tracks: 12
Release Date: 2011-09-26
Lenght: 53' 41" Riff Score: 8.0/10 How are scores attributed? Pain of Salvation manages once again to keep us guessing as they book us the return flight from their latest album "Road Salt One". One would think that as a follow up album in a set of two, this "Road Salt Two" would pick up where the first one left us, and even though Daniel Gildenlow states otherwise, this is an entirely different beast.

Having 7 completly different albums under their belt, has helped the Swedish collective erect a reputation for non-conformity and trend agnosticism. They refuse to be put inside a labeled box, confining them grouping with other artists with less than half their diversity.

To think about fusion may be an pretentious, but sure is a good way to get ready for what the guys from Pain of Salvation created for us.

The album kicks in with a middle eastern flavoured orchestral theme, that sets the mood for what is comming; a darker album, with some exotic melodies.

"Softly she cries" introduces the listener to a stoner type guitar sound, downtempo with a very nice groove that makes us think of early sabbath. The rest of the instruments and particularly a very intriguing and haunting sound quickly remind us that we are well in the present days and Daniel Gildenlow starts to pour his heart in typical Pain of Salvation fashion. The song really takes off with a fantastic orchestral interlude and some top notch chorus vocals.

The third song is a heavy blues rocker with a very awkward beat that would fit right in an hippie convention.

As soon as "Healing Now" starts, an image from the "Led Zeppelin IV" album cover appears in my mind; the mandolin licks instantly call "The Battle of Evermore", but this time the context is completely different. A much darker song with rustic percussion and a crazy instrumental breakdown go allong a very emotional vocal performance that creates hope and makes this song one of the album's highlights.

Track number 05 is probably one of the most "normal" songs you will get from Pain of Salvation. With a very strong melody line that would probably appeal to the mass listener, this track showcases some interesting ideas for harmonies to the lead vocal melody.

"Eleven" slows down the tempo, and brings back the haunting themes. We are again in eerie territory, as this southern rock inspired gut-wrenches us; some great 80s style screams that would make Zakk Wylde feel bad, lead into very complex interlude with some unexpected funk elements. Excelent song!

Road Salt Two continues with a track called "1979" that is an emotional piano balad. Here Pain of Salvation display their affection for vintage prog by means of some very touching woodwind melodies and arrangements that remind me of Camel's "Snowgoose" album. In spite of being a very short song, "1979" showcases great blend of melodies between the voice and the woodwinds.

When "The Deeper Cut" kicks in, everything instantly gets dark; a very hipnotizing song as the same verse is thrown at you for a good 2 minutes - it really sticks in your head.

The ninth song is another heavy downtempo stoner type grinder, the haunting background melodies make their return as the vocal melody gets very complex. The main theme is very catchy and we really get some excelent drum work on this one; the ending scream is really killer.

"Through The Distance" is another slower song with a vulnerable intimate feel. It has also a very beautifull outro where we get in touch with Daniel's emotional side.

Track 11 is called "The Physics of Gridlock" and as soon as it starts you really take notice on the impact that eastern harmonies and rhythms have taken on Pain of Salvation's creative process. This one has a very epic feel to it, with some progressive structures and elements taking the centerstage as the album reaches the end; not before we are treated to a curious and unexpected 70s French themed section with accompanying French lyrics. Surelly another of the album's highlights.

The last song on the album is another instrumental track that closes the Road Salt venture. This one has a very strong cinematic feel and makes us feel that Pain of Salvation coul easily score a film. A great way to end, and also an excelent bridge to a new listen of the album.

Road Salt Two really is a true testament to what Pain of Salvation is all about; some very diverse music that packs some great production and very clever arrangements. We already had some great displays of the band's ability to arrange harmonies, but this time Pain of Salvation took it to another level.

A great sounding album, that has a good number tracks that will keep you comming back, listening to it over and over again.

Website: www.painofsalvation.com

Myspace: www.myspace.com/painofsalvation

Facebook: www.facebook.com/painofsalvation

Review by: Gonçalo Lemos Matias