In a world governed by increasingly rigid rules and conformist conceptions of art, PAIN OF SALVATION have created their own niche on the international music scene. Their intelligently composed and cleverly arranged song... more »s mix metal, pop, funk, disco, goth and folk with Arabian and Oriental influences plus other more or less extreme musical styles into a homogenous whole. PAIN OF SALVATION consciously do without any kind of artistic compromise, the only criterion for their compositions being top quality and profound contents.« less
In a world governed by increasingly rigid rules and conformist conceptions of art, PAIN OF SALVATION have created their own niche on the international music scene. Their intelligently composed and cleverly arranged songs mix metal, pop, funk, disco, goth and folk with Arabian and Oriental influences plus other more or less extreme musical styles into a homogenous whole. PAIN OF SALVATION consciously do without any kind of artistic compromise, the only criterion for their compositions being top quality and profound contents.
CD Reviews
Gildenlow has officially lost his mind
Carlo Monte | Bronx, NY USA | 06/23/2010
(1 out of 5 stars)
"Yes, yes he has.
I know they were trying for a "bold new direction" or whatever the lining notes/warning says on the CD, and how they were also going for a 70s vibe and I wouldn't have a problem with either of these things, except for one tiny, minuscule issue -
the songs aren't very good.
There are some flashes of goodness(greatness is nowhere to be found here), but that's what they are, just flashes. The opening song shows promise, but then the CD devolves into an eye-roller/check the playtime to see when it would end type of thing. They also throw in more of the nerdish-type "humor" found on other releases but if I wanted to listen to something funny I would throw my Jerky Boys CDs on. I am listening to music because I want to hear good music. Seriously, what is "Sleeping Under the Stars" supposed to be?
I am not at all against bands changing, as long as it is into something good or even better. If I like it I will continue to buy, but in PoS case I will really, REALLY listen to all tracks before purchasing a new album from them from now on."
Another new and breathtaking experience from POS
N. LeGallo | MA, USA | 06/18/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Road Salt One
As a Pain of Salvation fan, which you most likely are if you're reading this, you must understand that Perfect Element part 1 is not going to be recreated. And it's absurd to think that even possible in my opinion. Along with this point, in my opinion it is the open-mindedness of Daniel (not to mention his emotion and vocal range) that has kept this band among my favorites since they first came out.
I do understand some of the comments I've been reading here and elsewhere about being disappointed about this release. But at the same time, what an extraordinary emotional journey it is. Just like every other POS release, Road Salt One takes hold of you and allows your brain to be taken out of your control. Now some of you are right, it's not as technically demanding. And as someone who loves bands like Between the Buried and Me and the work on John Petrucci, I get the lure of that type of music. However it is difficult to find music more moving than POS (without being corny and lame) in my opinion. In this regard, POS may have their most impressive release to date.
I find it hard to believe that someone who has enjoyed all or most of POS's releases thus far will not enjoy this record immensely. Tracks like "Sisters" and "Where it hurts" are litterally breathtaking. The lyrical content combined with the raw feel of these tracks is something reminiscent of perhaps the raw emotion of the latter works of Tom Waits. I mean that type of record does not come around very often. For your sake, do not miss out on the chance to experience the feelings that Road Salt One evokes in you. And let it be known there are still those beautiful climatic moments in many of these tracks which may be the only true trademark of POS."
It is definitely a mixed bag
S. Ellison | Byron Center, MI United States | 06/15/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I open the CD with great anticipation, and put it in the CD Player, only to wonder if this is a totally different band. I look at the CD cover and there is an artistic drawing of the band members, and I can't really recognize them. I scan through the small print to see if maybe the lead singer/songwriter has left the band, but no, it does still seem to be the same band. So after I get over that, I continue to listen to the music, and I'm trying to think of what it reminds me of, and the best I can come up with is Alice Cooper Welcome to my Nightmare. So, now that I am convinced this is indeed the POS that I have grown to love, I listen through the entire album about 5-6 times over the next couple of days and now I feel I can give an opinion. I actually really like it. I can see them doing the first half of this album as an acoustic section in the middle of a concert. There are all kinds of musical influances flying around. I would say muscially it is not nearly so complex, but some very nice vocals with a ton of emotion. POS is really going to challenge it's fan base with this album, especially those that like the heavy aspects of their music. But once you get over the initial shock, and listen to the music, I think you are really going to like it. However, in the long run, there is a chance this album turns out to be a one off experiment, and on the next album they get back to the heavy progressive metal POS that we love. One last comment, I don't think the production is up to their typical standards. The album is possibly intentioally quite dull sounding, giving it a more stark and unproduced sound. Perhaps that is why another reviewer has compared it to the White Strips. It is a very stripped down album that does sound like it was recorded with a 2-track in a garage. So, listen with an open mind, and just appreciate an artist that is not going to spew out the same sound album after album. I really love these guys, and am glad they take risks."
The Downhill Slide for Pain of Salvation Continues
Barry C. Thompson | 07/09/2010
(1 out of 5 stars)
"I really didn't think they could do any worse than "Scarsick" but somehow Pain of Salvation has managed to do just that. If, like me, you enjoy their first 4 albums but have lately thought they were heading off into a ditch, avoid this convoluted, horribly produced, slab of junk. I know, I know, a kid that wasn't even BORN in the 70's wanted to make an album that sounded like a classic 70's album, well, guess what? He failed. Utterly and completely. Sonically, this thing sounds awful. The songs are, quite frankly, boring. And lyrics about banging your friend's sister? Really, Daniel? REALLY? I'm now officially OFF the Pain of Salvation bandwagon. Someone wake me up if they go back to making good music again."
Very Interesting Song Writing and STILL Very Enjoyable!
Todd Sheridan | Salt Lake City, UT | 07/12/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I'm clearly more open-minded to dramatic & stylish music than some of the other reviewers here. I like Flower Kings for heaven's sake, which is about as weird as it gets. If you don't like it when your favorite band departs from the sound of a specific album, well then you're gonna spend a lot of time being disappointed because that's pretty much the name of the game in this genre of music.
I found Road Salt One to be a refreshing evolution of their musical style - it has much of the foundation sound from past works with the great vocals, yet it's still quite adventurous. I wouldn't call it a total departure from their former work, as some have stated. This sounds more like "Be" to me. A lot of people hated "Be" though because it was so subdued. I loved it.
"Road Salt One" is more mellow than "Perfect Element" or "Remedy Lane", which were richly layered prog/metal rocky songs with more rhythm, keys, and percussive drive, and those longer song formats. Road Salt One has a bit more of a southern soul sound at times without that rhythmic drive, and it sounds old... like it was recorded on old equipment from the 70s, which seems like what they were aiming for. But the recording quality and production quality is about the same as their former works, it's simply more laid back and focuses more on the singing and much less on the band.
"Sleeping Under The Stars" sounds like something Flower Kings would do, a nightmare from a freakish 70s circus. If you don't like this one, just delete it. This is the only bizarre song on the album. I personally love the classic instrumental sound and the personality, despite it's strangeness. Unfortunately the lyrical content and language is something I wouldn't want to be playing when my wife or kids were around, so I'll likely remove it from any playlists.
Truth be told, there are only a couple of songs on here with any rock drive, most are dramatic melodic vocal explorations with a vintage keyboard sound, simple guitar work, and only very minor drumming on most songs. It's like they all ran a marathon and thoroughly exhausted themselves, then got drunk and high, then wrote this album. It's mellow & trippy, and I get a real kick out of it. Like I said, it's more like "Be" than "The Perfect Element" or "Remedy Lane".
I enjoyed this album even though I wasn't deeply moved by any of the songs as I've been on past albums. Maybe "Road Salt Two" will be the "post drug-induced hallucinogenic hangover" album and bring back some of the good old mature progressive rock/metal elements of former works... something with more of a pulse.
Still, European Prog Rock is the BOMB! If this album disappoints you, go try out Frosts "Milliontown" or "EIMA" or Sylvan's "Posthumous Silence".
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1