Pain of Salvation

Item: BE
Author: Barry Nothstine

(2004)

Reviewed by Barry Nothstine

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Label Inside Out MusicThe Phantom Tollbooth2004

alternative metal progressive metal progressive rock

"I CANNOT REMEMBER NOT BEING"

What happens when one of the key heavy progressive rock bands of our time (in this case Sweden's Pain of Salvation) attempts to explain the mystery of life and creation? We get BE, an epic work of music and philosophy. Bandleader Daniel Gildenlow says the concept deals with "mankind, with God, and our relationship with faith and science." In BE, Gildenlow and company attempt to distill into a powerful 75 minutes some of the philosophies, science, and religious thought of the ages.

The album is laced with dramatic spoken-word performances discussing diverse topics: why we are here, the growing population of earth, views of God (expressed by recordings of folks expressing their requests to God in the touching and sad "Vocari Dei/Message"), and meditations on being alive. The musical backing is varied and strong. At times the CD is heavy progressive metal, at times almost world-music sounding with percussion and woodwinds, brass, and strings. The CD features the "Orchestra of Eternity" (an eclectic 9 piece combo featuring cello, viola, violin, flute, clarinet, tuba, and percussion) as well as the band members of Pain of Salvation who are skillful and accomplished players in their own right. In addition to the spoken-word story lines woven throughout the piece there are tender instrumental works (such as the mesmerizing piano-laced "Pluvius Aestivus") and the thunderous anthems POS is known for ("Lilium Cruentus," and "Diffidentia").

BE is not an album for a light-hearted Sunday drive with the top down. The concept can be a bit heavy and ponderous at times, and some of the spoken word performances get old quickly. But BE is a work that beckons the mind and heart to listen. Listeners may not agree (I don't) with the conclusions that Mr. Gildenlow reaches, or the way he reaches those conclusions, but following his journey makes for an interesting experience. There is no doubt Mr. Gildenlow and his cohorts in Pain of Salvation have created a thoughtful and memorable work.