Pain Of Salvation - The Perfect Element Part I



1. Used (5:23) 2. In The Flesh (8:36) 3. Ashes (4:28) 4. Idioglossia (8:29) 5. Her Voices (7:56) 6. Dedication (4:00) 7. King Of Loss (9:46) 8. Reconciliation (4:24) 9. Song For The Innocent (3:02) 10. Falling (1:50) 11. The Perfect Element (10:09)

Total Running Time: 68:03

Yet another excellent release from Pain of Salvation, and there seems to be no force able to stop these Swedes in their road to progressive metal domination. While half the world was pretty much stuck trying to emulate Dream Theater or Fates Warning during the last decade, Pain of Salvation came out with a sound so unique that heads just had to turn, mine included. The band somehow managed to throw subtle jazz influences, a definite Faith No More hue, the virtues of progressive metal, and basically an unbelievable amount of talent into the melting pot, and the result was better than anyone could have expected. The Perfect Element, Pt.1 is no exception.

The concept album is so well crafted that singling out any highlights would prove impossible, as the driving strength of "Used," the emotionaly charged gentility of "Morning on Earth," and the latter's electrically intense reprise, "Reconciliation," all contribute to build levels of interest and suspense that permeate the entire disc. Moreover, the record has everything one could ask for. Long tracks, short tracks, all types of moods, intelligent and contemporary lyrics, technique, feeling…you name it, it's there. A great deal of this abounding excellence, however, is due to guitarist/vocalist Daniel Gildenlow's theatrical vocals, which can be reminiscent of Faith No More's Mike Patton as soon as of a wailing vocalist of the highest calibre. Definitely no small feat.

Add to that the gorgeous work of guitarist Johan Hallgreen, who chooses every note as a means of further impact and cleverly avoids any shredding nonsense while gliding gracefully above tracks such as "Used" and "Idioglossia," and the album is a must-have for any serious progressive metal listener. Furthermore, with the excellent work of drummer John Langell, bassist Kristoffer Gildenlow, and keyboardist Fredrik Hermansson, things can only get better. What truly sets The Perfect Element, Pt.1 miles above all contenders, however, is its lyrics, which are as visceral and immediate as any can be and interact so well with the album's music that both seem as though they were one. If you have to choose between paying the local mafia for not breaking your legs or buying this album, start learning how to use crutches. You'll need them.

-by Marcelo Silveyra

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