BE

"BE" appears to be something special. Not only is it yet again another concept piece just like all other Pain of Salvation albums it also seems to be the most controversial. On the one hand reviewers and fans love it but there's a lot of scolding lashing down on it in equal measure. Well, to be honest, I also had a lot of problems with it in the beginning because the album is so different from their other releases. I think the main problem are the many sound samples Daniel used, it's not everybody's cup of tea. The album features evidently less metal without sounding totally different from the established POS sound. People liking the band only because they're playing metal may be disappointed, though. The album contains a lot of mellow songs using orchestra as a stylistic device. I think the band can take credit for using the orchestra in such a wise way. Different from most albums featuring orchestra it definitely is an inherent part of the music, not just some orchestral music for the background. Another point leading to the general uncertainty may be the concept itself. It is very extensive and intransparent. At least it is more comlplicated than former concepts by Daniel. The main point of the concept is, if I didn't misinterpret, that the world is an instrument of self-knowledge for God and some day transforms to a God itself. Another point is that you can find patterns in the multiplicity of beings and that there's a meaning in everything, a unity in the multiplicity so to speak. Maybe Daniel noticed the complexity and amended it with the story of the personalized money (called Mr. Money) wich victoriously subdues everything untill it stands alone.

This concept is presented in a 76 minute long Rock Opera containing many different styles and influences. It's not only lyrically but also musically very complex.

The first tune features voices inducting you into the concept. I think it is a simple but effective way to conduct in a concept album. The rocking part of the second tune called "Deus Nova" is framed by voices untill the introducing voices appear again. The third tune "Imago" can be described as folk. Never before POS did something similar, but the result is more than impressing. A great song with nice melodies. It ends with rain and thunder causing the mood for the next tune which is a mellow piano solo with rain drops played by the orchestra. This tune alone shows why "BE" could be a disappointment for many prog metal fans. And to be honest, who expected POS to record such a song? Nevertheless, I like the song as well as the fact that POS breaks new ground. "Lithium Cruentus" is my favorite song of the album. It also became one of my favorite Pain of Salvation songs in general. It features great bass playing by Kristoffer Gildenlöw and yet again, superb vocals by his brother Daniel. I really like the different melodies as well as the "rap" parts.indeed, you're right, I said rap.this song simply has to be heard. The reason for substracting one star follows shortly after: "Nauticus" is a horrible song, horrible enough to substract a whole star for 5 minutes. The whole song is one large cant and moaning and forces me to skip it. It is boring and totally out of place. But it fortunately is an exception and the only bad song. Without it, I may have given five stars. "Dea Pecuniae" , a great song with, yet again, great vocals. No Metal here as well but a truly great presentation of the caracter "Mr. Money". What follows is a beautiful, very mellow and quiet instrumental framed by God's answering machine. The next songs "Diffidentia(Breaching the Score)" and "Nihil Morani" should eventually satisfy all the prog metal fans out there. Again, very good songs featuring the orchestra as well as heavy riffing, nice mixture. Some reprises can be heard in "Nihil Morani". "Latericius Valete" is a short instrumental piece containing a lot of piano and orchestra, it rises in the end, gets heavier and leads to the bombastic "church organ ballad" (that's how I call it) "Omni", clear and brief. With "Iter Impus" follwos what became one of my favorite Pain of Salvation ballads (and they have a lot of good ones). Daniel's voice causes goose bumps here, simply beautiful, listen to this one very loud and I'm sure it will get you as well. "Martius/Nauticus II" is another highlight. It consists of many different parts featuring many different influences and some reprises, among other things the folk part appears again, of course somewhat modified. "Animae Partus II" is an outro, the introducing voice again and some muted heartbeat, over.

"BE" is everything but a letdown, far from it. An unfulfilled expectation doesn't make a bad album. That's the crux of the matter for me. Many people expected "The perfect Element Pt. II" and with it another heavy prog metal output. Now having listened to the album they seem to be disappointed. I think that it is not fair to goof on "BE" just because it is not what they expected. I also loved "The Perfect Element Pt. I" and want it to be continued but I don't see what this has to do with "BE". It is a teriffic and very complex album which stays interesting for a very long time. It is very exertive and pines for concentration and attention, though. This album could also be interesting for people not liking (prog)metal, even if still some metal is featured. Pain of Salvation strengthen their position as my favorite prog metal band. Get this album, ignore the moaning of crestfallen prog metal fans.