REMEDY LANE

It's not very often that an album exceeds the hype or my expectations, but this one sure did ! PAIN OF SALVATION have created an emotional and personal work that is truly a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows.

The first song "Of Two Beginnings" is a very passionate and powerful song with some great bass lines. "Ending Theme" has this undercurrent of bass and drums that builds and some great vocals. "Fandango" opens with some intricate guitar as some heavy drums roll in with a keyboard melody over the top.The vocals are theatrical. "A Trace Of Blood" is about Daniel's wife's miscarriage. The mood shifts are drastic, from uplifting to brooding. There is some high voltage guitar riffs and solos as well as some excellent piano melodies.The vocals are passionate to angry. "This Heart Of Mine (I Pledge)" is a lighter song with laid back vocals, a beautiful song that reminds me somehow of The FLOWER KINGS. "Undertow" is an emotional song with a climactic ending of pounding drums and powerful vocals.There is a reprise of "This Heart Of Mine" in the chorus of this song.

"Rope Ends" opens with some fantastic instrumental work that is intricate and the interplay is great. The piano and guitar melodies are terrific. "Chain Sling" is an uptempo song that opens with some more intricate guitar and higher ranged vocals. "Dryad Of the Woods" is a beautiful, uplifting instrumental. Sometimes music is too gorgeous for words. "Remedy Lane" is another great instrumental with some good synth work. "Waking Every God" features some great sounding drums and some wondrous guitar melodies later in the song. "Second Love" is beautiful ! With tasteful guitar, fragile vocals at times and gorgeous piano. "Beyond the Pale" opens with unusual guitar sounds. The song is heavy with angry to soft vocals and a stunning guitar solo.

Well I love the sound these guys create, especially the heavy passages that at times remind me of TOOL and DEADSOUL TRIBE. This is my favourite POS album.