THE PERFECT ELEMENT - PART 1

The most prominent thing about this album is its magnificent flow from beginning and right to the last note! This flow does sacrifice most of the band's usual progressive metal elements but considering its status it seems like the fans really don't mind this all that much. The Perfect Element Part 1 did mark a significant change in the band's attitude towards their development. First off the music is much more delicate and harmonic. The vocal harmonies that have previously only been used sparsely have now been implemented in almost every instance where the music calls for the occasion. On top of that almost 80% of the material here is played in a slow ballad like style.

For me all of the previously mentioned changes are very positive and in the instances where the band combines them with their top notch material the results become mesmerizing to say the least! In The Flesh is a perfect example of this instance where everything to the minimal little detail just works so well. Incidentally it's also my favorite Pain Of Salvation composition to this day and the track just gets better every time I hear it. King Of Loss might not have as strong concluding section but it's almost as excellent as In The Flesh and holds a high position on my list.

So after all this praise why am I restraining this album from receiving the highest possible rating? Well, to be fair all is definitely not perfect with this release. First off its running time of 70+ minutes is rather unnecessary because many of the musical themes do get rehashed in the process plus I never understood the greatness of the album-titled conclusion track. I honestly don't consider it to be a worthy ending to such a great album. But all of these faults are most probably attributed to my second and most important complaint, namely that I don't care much for this album's concept. The lyrics are often sharp but at the same time I find them rather insipid.

Non-the-less this is definitely the Pain Of Salvation album I would recommend to everyone who is interested in exploring this unique and existing band!

***** star songs: Used (5:23) In The Flesh (8:36) King Of Loss (9:46) Reconciliation (4:24) Falling (1:50)

**** star songs: Ashes (4:28) Morning On Earth (4:34) Ideoglossia (8:29) Her Voices (7:56) Dedication (4:00) Song For The Innocent (3:02) The Perfect Element (10:09)

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