Tuesday 12 June 2018

#5 - Top of 2017

Pain of Salvation - In the Passing light of day (Inside Out)


After a long hiatus, which saw the release of one Cover album, a serious operation that lead singer Daniel Gildenlow had to undergo, and changes to all members but Daniel and Leo (drums), Pain of Salvation are back with their 9th full length album after 6 years with (almost) no new material. And as always, the band delivers in spades!
Based on the experiences of Daniel's hospitalisation and his  long & hard road to recovery, the album sees the band return to its progressive metal roots, leaving the more acoustic side of the two equally great "Road Salt" albums somewhat aside and focus on its "harsher" side, bringing back memories of the excellent 2004 "Remedy Lane" album. The first track of the new endeavour "On a Tuesday", mixes the harder sound of the past with the warm colours of the band's recent endeavours in  a very organic way, which coupled with the personal tone of the lyrics marks a very dynamic return for the band. Things go even harder in"Tongue of God" where the coupling of voices between Daniel and Ragnar Zolberg creates a very dynamic and bombastic combination. "Meaningless" is a  very catchy song and is obviously put here to act as a connection between old and new fandom. "Silent Gold" is a more quiet piece and bridges the album, while at the same time providing the necessary breather. "Full Throat Tribe" is another great progressive metal track with excellent guitar lines.  The rest of the album flows within the narrative of reconciliation between the different eras of P.o.S: with the highlights being the proggy "Reasons"  and the epic & heartfelt"If this is the End". A return to form for the band, promising new and exciting explorations of prog space in the years to come.


96/100


Below are the music videos for "Meaningless" and "Reasons".




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