THE PERFECT ELEMENT - PART 1

Pain of Salvation's "The Perfect Element Part I" kicks off with a cascade of drums and guitar and a mixture of several musical styles. In the opening track "Used" there's a distinct flavour of Disturbed or any number of other nu-metal acts getting around circa 2000. Then the chorus almost has a pop feel to it.

"In the Flesh" and "Ashes" take a different and far superior direction, ditching the nu-metal vibe in favour of some more interesting textures. The musicianship is excellent and the album begins to sound a lot more cohesive. "In the Flesh" features a stunning acoustic guitar and piano outro that feels both like an organic extension of the first part of the song, and also as a great introduction into "Ashes". This track is the highlight of the album, with the most memorable guitar and vocal hooks.

"Ideoglossia" is a complex, chaotic number that once again showcases the band's prodigious talents, and also which cleverly incorporates the chorus of "Ashes" midway through the song. "King of Loss" also deserves special mention as a brooding, simmering track with a great buildup. The album closes with another 10 minute epic "The Perfect Element", which takes the total running time up over the 70 minute mark. It's a long album, but there are enough ideas incorporated over the duration to keep things fresh.

Overlaid upon all of this are some impressive vocal gymnastics by Daniel Gildenlöw, at times evoking Mike Patton with a guttural, savage delivery juxtaposed with the silky smoothness of a seasoned crooner. And of course, he has an amazing heavy metal high pitched scream just to top it all off.

While not one of my favourite albums, this is still a great production to experience for the sheer ambitiousness and talent on display.