BE

First of all, I would like to thank the ProgArchives community for bringing Pain of Salvation to my attention. I saw the high ratings and decided to try them out. I've purchased four albums so far: The Perfect Element Part I, Remedy Lane, Be, and 12:5 and have thoroughly enjoyed each one.

For me, Pain of Salvation bridges the gap between my Neo Prog (Marillion, Pendragon, Arena), Prog Metal (Dream Theater, Devin Townsend, Riverside), and Prog Related (Coheed and Cambria) tastes. PoS covers that entire range quite well and then some. Even their heaviest material maintains musical integrity without resorting to thrashing, machine-gun drums, vocal growling, or skill showboating (a reason why prog metal is often hit or miss for me). Their music has great harmonies, soaring emotion, violent rage, and gentle melodies. Add to that one of the best vocalists I've ever heard and this band clearly demonstrates that it is a rare find.

Be (4/5)

I can understand why this album has generated controversy. This is a very good album, but there does seem to be too much filler for my taste. While I can appreciate the complex concept approach, I don't have the time to really get into the story so I tend to focus more on the music than the story. The highlights are Iter Impius (which showcases Daniel Gildenlow's amazing vocal range) and Martius/Nauticus II (which showcases the album's best musical ideas).

Songs: Animae Partus (2/10), Deus Nova (2/10), Imago (9/10), Pluvius Aestivus (8/10), Lilium Cruentus (7/10), Nauticus (5/10), Dea Pecuniae (9/10), Vocari Dei (9/10), Diffidentia (8/10), Nihil Morari (7/10), Laterticius Valette (7/10), Omni (7/10), Iter Impius (10/10), Martius/Nauticus II (10/10), Animae Partus II (3/10)