REMEDY LANE

Swedish prog metal pioneers Pain of Salvation released their fourth studio album 'Remedy Lane' in January of 2002 through Inside Out Music, after gaining momentum with three very well received records that presented something entirely different to the progressive music scene - an innovative approach that incorporated a variety of styles and techniques not yet heard as well as a taste for the dramatic, cerebral and thoughtful lyrical presentation, wrapping everything into the sophisticated shell of the concept album; Pain of Salvation might have been seen as a prog band that is not necessarily explicitly prog but an intriguing collective of very talented musicians that were gradually forging an identity of their own, a severely original and a movingly memorable one.

'Remedy Lane' is a concept album that deals with the narrator's search for self-discovery, while touching upon themes like love, sexuality, loss, anger, and suicide - surely a darker prog album that surprisingly or not, contains uplifting and inspiring moments, whether they be through the instrumental prowess the listener is exposed to, the touching lyrics or the unpredictable twists of the songs. Thematically strong, lyrically intriguing, and musically astonishing, we have to say that 'Remedy Lane' impresses as much as it surprises through its unusual songcraft, gently balancing aggression and feel. With all this in mind, it might be needless to say that 'Remedy Lane' contains a lot of masterful and involving compositions from the band, many of which are still played live by them and beloved by their fans.

It is all the twists and turns, all the interplay between the musicians, all the heartfelt episodes of ingenious heavy music, incredibly well-conceived and well-performed, that make 'Remedy Lane' ever so special. It is an album that necessitates the listener to experience it and to allow himself to be engulfed by its atmosphere. Perhaps in some sort of divine inspiration, Pain of Salvation had composed a contemporary metal opera that shall forever be remembered for its originality, daring, yet provocative nature, myriad of memorable sounds, and acutely inevitable emotional reaction by the listener.