ROAD SALT TWO

In 1984, Daniel Gildenlow with only eleven years old founded a band named Reality in Eskilstuna, Sweden. One of the early members of the group was Daniel Magdic, who would remain with the band until after the release of their debut studio album. In 1987, Reality participated in the Swedish Annual Musical Contest, Rock-SM, and they were the youngest competitors ever to enter the competition. Daniel Gildenlow won the category of "Best Vocalist". In 1990, drummer Johan Langell and bassist Gustaf Hielm joined the band. Daniel Gildenlow renamed the band to Pain Of Salvation in 1991. The name Pain Of Salvation was devised by Daniel Gildenlow, who interpreted the name has having the meaning of balance. During the next three years, the band competed in contests and competitions while earning recognition in the process. In 1994, Kristoffer Gildenlow, Daniel's younger brother, replaced Hielm on bass. With this ine up, Gildenlow brothers, Magdic and Langell entered in a local studio and recorded the "Hereafter" demo, which the band actively shopped record labels. Fredrik Hermansson learned of the band through the "Hereafter" demo and successfully auditioned to become the band's keyboardist. So, it was with this line up the band released in 1997 their debut studio album "Entropia". Their second studio album "One Hour By The Concrete Lake" was recorded in 1999 with a slightly different line up. Magdic was replaced by Johan Hallgren, who had previously played with Daniel Gildenlow in a band called Crypt Of Kerberos. With this same line up they recorded three new studio albums "The Perfect Element Part 1" in 2001, "Remedy Lane" in 2002 and "Be" in 2004. In 2007 they recorded their sixth studio album "Scarsick" without the presence of Kristoffer Gildenlow. He left the band due to his relocation to Holland. In 2010 and 2011 they recorded two more studio albums "Road Salt One" and "Road Salt Two". On these albums occurs a new change in the line up of them. Langell due to family commitments was replaced by the French drummer Léo Margarit.

So, "Road Salt Two" which is the eighth studio album of Pain Of Salvation was released in 2011, one year after their previous studio album "Road Salt One". It follows the same musical patterns on that album. Like "Road Salt One", this is another conceptual album as happened with all previous Pain Of Salvation's studio albums. However and as happened with "Road Salt One" too, the album was no more song oriented and is streamlined in its production values.

You might say that if you've heard "Road Salt One" before, you may already know all you need to know about "Road Salt Two". After all, the title "Road Salt Two" kind of gives it away that it's a linked album that we have on our hands. You might say that, which isn't completely wrong, but that it's not enough. Why? Because that it would be unjust regardless of whether you like the first part or don't. It's not to imply this album is all that different, or that it will blow your mind. No, but it's a fine piece of music, with nuances to be discovered on repeated listens. Besides, if "Road Salt" is an own musical project, you must check both parts to have the complete picture. So, having listened to the album for the first time I wasn't all that impressed because it seemed to me a bit of the same. However, it turned out to be a false sign. "Road Salt Two" seems to be quite a bit more refined than its predecessor. I don't know whether it's because it's a second venture in the bluesy territories or because the band seems to understand more where they are heading with this. Or because things have simply started falling into place better. And those details can make a subtil difference.

"Road Salt Two" has twelve or fourteen tracks, depending on if you have the standard edition or the limited edition dig pack, which is my version. The concept, the music and the lyrics were made by Daniel Gildenlow, as is usual in the band. As I wrote before, "Road Salt One" and "Road Salt Two" are the first two albums from the band to feature Léo Margarit on drums. So, the line up on the album is Daniel Gildenlow (lead vocals and backing vocals, electric, acoustic and fretless guitars and bass guitars), Johan Hallgren (backing vocals and electric guitars), Fredrik Hermansson (electric and acoustic pianos, organs, mellotron and keyboards) and Léo Margarit (backing vocals and drums).

Conclusion: When I reviewed "Road Salt One" I wrote that it represents the first part of the concept. So, "Road Salt Two" represents its second part. Even that "Road Salt Two" be essentially a repetition of the overall concept, it still manages to be a bit different. Its darker feel gives it a noticeable different tone. It also seems to be a more cohesive and consistent work than its predecessor. Despite the first part may be the stronger release, I probably recommend this second part. But, despite "Road Salt Two" be a bit better than "Road Salt One", I think it didn't deserves more that the same 3 stars. However, I still think that "Road Salt One" and "Road Salt Two" must be heard as a single album. When you play both albums together that is when you really understand the total musical power of these two excellent albums and what they are all about. Their achievement in create an interesting piece, more than impresses. I still think these two albums should have been released as a double album. However, Daniel Gildenlow knows why he didn't that.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)

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