Pain Of Salvation - Remedy Lane


Year of Release: 2002
Label: InsideOut
Catalog Number: IOMCD 092
Format: CD
Total Time: 65:38:00

Those acquainted with Pain Of Salvation are probably aware of the fact that this Swedish quintet is probably one of the best things to ever have happened to progressive metal. With one of the most earthy and raw sounds to grace this kind of music in years, a focused concentration on songs instead of wizardry that does not impede the band's instrumental abilities to shine through, one of the most visceral and dynamic singers this side of choose your favorite, and a monster concept album, The Perfect Element, Pt.1, to its credit, this band has earned its place among those to be remembered with honor and glory. Not only that, however, but Daniel Gildenlöw and company have changed their approach, although not their substance, in gradual but noticeable degrees with each of their records, thus following a tradition set by some of the most legendary bands, metal or not, in the world. Remedy Lane is no exception.

Certainly tied to the breathtaking experience that its predecessor was in musical spirit and overall balance, Pain of Salvation's latest is nevertheless another brave step in the evolution that until recently consisted solely of three albums. More accessible than the heaviness of Entropia, more emotionally developed than One Hour By The Concrete Lake, and more jagged than The Perfect Element, Pt.1, yet similar to them in both its conceptual nature and the fact that the essence of this band remains intact and immediately recognizable, Remedy Lane is yet another quality offering that will leave people wondering where the hell these guys came out of in its trail. The jangling staccato vocals of "Rope Ends," along with a short passage that briefly heralds the return of funk (that's right, funk) to the mix are only an example of the sheer proficiency of this unit, and trust me, the examples are to be found in cornucopia abundance.

Because Pain of Salvation, as has become business by now, has brought a new set of elements (no pun intended) and factors to integrate with what formerly was its musical hoard. "Chain Sling," for instance, goes through the motions in a mere four minutes with gentle bard melody, an imposing epic sense of Celtic strength, and Arabian moods that even have the band remember one vaguely of Led Zeppelin! Then there are the monumental synth atmospheres and recurring musical passages of the instrumental "Remedy Lane" or the jumpy toy piano sounds of "Fandango" that serve as brittle introduction to the ensuing heavy madness, which screams Pain of Salvation at every step and brings jerky time keeping, pulses of intense instrument runs, active choruses, and a wonderfully melancholic ending to reality.

Sound impressive? Well, that's because the band is. This is an act capable of the most dynamic and human emotional changes, of alternating subtlety with jarring intensity, of further developing itself without losing sight of its very quintessence. True, there are moments during which the momentum is suddenly lost, especially in the candy-coated and utterly clichè mellifluousness to be found on the majority of "This Heart of Mine," "Dryad of the Woods," and "Second Love," but even during those same tracks, the band jumps back to its feet again and gets back to work the way it should. Add to that the beautiful sadness of "Undertow," the utter emotional impact of "Ending Theme," or the fact that the awesome "Beyond The Pale" (which features a vocal line that comes right off Faith No More's "The Real Thing") is an incredible opus of great reach and musical strength, and one can't help but be glad to know that, although this is no The Perfect Element, Pt.1, and these guys can doubtlessly do better, Pain of Salvation isn't about to lose its spark anytime soon.


Tracklisting:
Beginnings (2:26) / Ending Theme (4:59) / Fandango (5:51) / A Trace Of Blood (8:17) / This Heart Of Mine (4:01) / Undertow (4:47) / Rope Ends (7:02) / Chain Sling (3:58) / Dryad Of The Woods (4:55) / Remedy Lane (2:17) / Waking Every God (5:29) / Second Love (4:21) / Beyond The Pale (9:56)

Musicians:
Daniel Gildenlöw - gutars, vocals
Johan Hallgren - guitars
Kristoffer Gildenlöw - bass
Fredrik Hermansson - keyboards
Johan Langell - drums

Discography:
Entropia (1998)
One Hour By The Concrete Lake (1999)
The Perfect Element (2000)
Remedy Lane (2002)
12:5 (2004)
Be (2004)
The Orchestration Of Eternity - Be (original stage production)
Scarsick (2007)
Linoleum (EP) (2009)
Ending Themes (On The Two Deaths Of Pain Of Salvation) (2009)
Road Salt One (2010)
Road Salt Two (2011)
Falling Home (2014)
The Passing Light Of Day (2016)

Be - Live DVD (DVD) (2005)
Ending Themes (On The Two Deaths Of Pain Of Salvation) (DVD) (2009)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin SE

Added: April 21st 2002
Reviewer: Marcelo Silveyra

Artist website: www.painofsalvation.com
Hits: 2699
Language: english

  

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