12:5

First of all, I would like to thank the ProgArchives community for bringing Pain of Salvation to my attention. I saw the high ratings and decided to try them out. I've purchased four albums so far: The Perfect Element Part I, Remedy Lane, Be, and 12:5 and have thoroughly enjoyed each one.

For me, Pain of Salvation bridges the gap between my Neo Prog (Marillion, Pendragon, Arena), Prog Metal (Dream Theater, Devin Townsend, Riverside), and Prog Related (Coheed and Cambria) tastes. PoS covers that entire range quite well and then some. Even their heaviest material maintains musical integrity without resorting to thrashing, machine-gun drums, vocal growling, or skill showboating (a reason why prog metal is often hit or miss for me). Their music has great harmonies, soaring emotion, violent rage, and gentle melodies. Add to that one of the best vocalists I've ever heard and this band clearly demonstrates that it is a rare find.

I was skeptical that I would appreciate an acoustic live performance as much as other reviewers have raved. To a certain extent I was correct. This album has some great moments and some fantastic song arrangements but some of the songs didn't do much for me. I also thought that some of the background harmonizing didn't translate as well live as they would have with refinement in the studio. Overall, the album is still very good. The highlights for me are the Brickwork songs and Dryad of the Woods. The Ashes/Descend 2 finale is excellent.

Songs: Brickwork I (9/10), Brickwork II (7/10), Brickwork III (9/10), Brickwork IV (8/10), Brickwork V (8/10), Winning a War (7/10), Reconciliation (7/10), Dryad of the Woods (9/10), Oblivion Ocean (6/10), Undertow (6/10), Chain Sling (8/10), Brickwork VI (8/10), Brickwork VII (9/10), Brickwork VIII (8/10), Brickwork IX (10/10), Brickwork X (9/10)