THE PERFECT ELEMENT - PART 1

First of all, Pain of Salvation is one of the most original bands I have ever heard, if not the most original. Each album is uniquely different from the rest. I listen to all of them quite a bit. Daniel Gildenlow and Pain of Salvation have done an incredible job writing some of the best music out there. As far as The Perfect Element is concerned, it is probably my overall favorite Pain of Salvation album. The album starts out with an intense feel to it with "Used." It is one powerful track that draws the line between scary and beautiful. Each track thereafter just builds your wanting to hear more, until finally, you reach "Beyond The Pale," the incredible, 10 min. closing track. The vocal harmonies on this album have an eerie sound to them and are very haunting. Daniel Gildenlow displays great range and many different styles when it comes to his singing. The melody from beginning to end will leave you drained afterward. There are just so many great vocal layers. As far as the tone and distortion of the guitar, I think it could be a little heavier, but the musicianship from it is miraculous from both Halgren and Gildenlow. The drumming can be rather chaotic at times and pleasantly unnoticable at other times. The bass and keyboard complement the rest of the band well, but, do not play a major role. Without them though, the music would be empty. In short, not many other bands could write something this emotional and epic. I'll keep this cd in my top 10 for a long time.