PANTHER

'Panther' is studio album #11 in the 23 year recording history of classic prog metal band Pain of Salvation. They have two top-10 albums in our Prog Metal subgenre chart - 'Remedy Lane' (2002) and 'The Perfect Element' (2000). Their debut 'Entropia' (1997), and 'Be' (2004) are also in the top 25. These millennial albums are very progressive, full of complex, intense, imaginative and unpredictable music. Their albums of 2007-2011 are also very good, though less progressive and less highly rated on this site. Their leader Daniel Gildenlöw, who is one of the finest and most charismatic vocalists in progressive rock, suffered a horrific bacterial disease in 2014. Although their previous albums had very human themes, they were not specifically personal (with rock-opera, existential or ethical conceptions). In contrast the two post-illness albums 'In the Passing Light of Day' (2017) and now 'Panther', have a new subject - Daniel Gildenlöw. ITPLOD confronts his life-threatening experience, using a musical language not dissimilar to his classic albums, slightly less inspired but deservedly rated excellent on here.

But now we have 'Panther' and - WOW!! This is a Pain of Salvation that is musically transformed, not only from the previous band, but even from one track to another within this album. Gildenlöw has mentioned that he was randomly influenced by music his kids were bringing home, and one can recognise unexpected areas of popular music all over the place. The one stylistic character the 'Panther' tracks have in common is that the music is always in some way disjointed, in time signatures, musical layers or sections. All this may be an expression of the concept - in hospital Gildenlöw was diagnosed with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). The songs deal with an individual (the 'panther' in a dog's world) who is disconnected in personality from his peers, and (in themes to which many of us can relate) dismay at what his species is doing to the planet, and the endless bewilderment of life.

Does it work? That is up to every listener, but for myself I have not enjoyed a Pain of Salvation album so much ever. Easily my favourite album from them. I will speculate about one influence among the many - the finale 'Icon' has driving multi-layered riffs that surely come from their Swedish compatriots Gösta Berlings Saga. Anyone who enjoys 'Icon' should check out the new streaming-only album 'Artefacts - Live' by GBS and see if they agree with me.

Verdict: Einwahn's #1 album of 2020.