ONE HOUR BY THE CONCRETE LAKE

With their unique sound, Pain Of Salvation recaptures and revitalizes the spirit of dark, heavy, prog-influenced rock that was shared by Queensryche and Fates Warning during their glory days. "One Hour By The Concrete Lake" is a magnificent and creative album that derives its depth, heaviness, and emotional impact from strong compositions and performances rather than abrasive noise, rote headbanging, or unnecessary instrumental intricacy. This makes it relatively accessible despite its intensity and the absence of instantly-memorable hooks.

The songs are outstanding, genuinely engrossing compositions, with textures ranging from delicate keyboard dances and orchestral lines to imposing, muscular choral vocals, pounding power-metal guitar, splaying Satriani-ish guitar leads, and even a brilliant combination of mellow Queensryche-ish balladry and Helloween-ish speed-metal drumming... there's just something in the album that will melt the hearts of everyone who still harbors a love for majestic, thoughtful, ambitious hard rock. Indeed, for such listeners, "One Hour By The Concrete Lake" is an enormously rewarding hour and should not be overlooked.