REMEDY LANE

The Swedish progressive metal band PAIN OF SALVATION is a band in constant progress and with a very personal approach to their music. They're becoming more and more complex and the compositions gets better and better with every new album. It's no exaggeration to say that they're marching in the forefront (together with DREAM THEATER), breaking new grounds and stretching the boundaries of progressive metal again and again. Their new concept album about a fractured relationship, titled "Remedy Lane" is no exception. Their previous album "The Perfect Element Part I" from 2000 was as good as a progressive metal album can ever get, so it's hard to say which is the better one of these two.

The musicians are surpassing themselves and that goes for the vocalist, guitarist and composer DANIEL GILDENLÖW too. DANIEL is an outstanding composer. Just listen to masterpieces such as "Fandango", "A Trace Of Blood", "Rope Ends", "Dryad Of The Woods" and "Beyond The Pale" and you'll know what I mean. Music like that has to come from a real genius. There are lots of rhythm & mood changes, complex arrangements and lengthy intricate instrumental passages. It sounds as if every note is there for a reason, and not for the individual musician's need to show-off. This is far from easy listening, and it takes a lot of patience and time to fully understand and appreciate the music and the lyrics.

"Remedy Lane" was released in January, but it's already obvious that it's one of the highlights of 2002. Even though I'm a big DREAM THEATER fan and still consider them as the kings of progressive metal, I must confess that PAIN OF SALVATION is the worthiest successors to the progressive metal throne. I'm proud of being a Swede!