REMEDY LANE

I am a fan of progressive metal, but there are several bands in the genre that I don't care for or really like at all (Dream Theater, the iconic band, being one). Now, Pain of Salvation is really different from just about every other prog metal band I've heard, and the band does an amazing job at telling a story with such emotion and passion, combined with virtuosic musical performances. Remedy Lane may just be my favorite prog metal album, though Sym X's V and Opeth's Still Life both rival it. This album, about human relationships, is teeming with amazing performances from everyone in the band, especially Gildenlow. In the genre, his voice is unparalleled, and his compositional abilities are extraordinary. The album never loses its flow, and the concept is just as important as the music is. Highlights on the album include Fandango, A Trace of Blood, Remedy Lane, and of course Beyond the Pale, though every song is fantastic.