ONE HOUR BY THE CONCRETE LAKE

The first Pain Of Salvation album that i have chosen to review is one that is not often a subject of conversation. One Hour By the Concrete Lake is Pain of Salvation's least appreciated album. Throughout all of the talk over Perfect Element, Remedy Lane, and of course Be, many forget to critically look at just how good One Hour By the Concrete Lake.

The most recurring notion of this album is the atmosphere. This is the only Pain of Salvation album that lacks a variety of moods, but i only say "lacks" in the most positive way possible. A better way off decribing this album is that it has a relentless cold atmosphere that may scare off or at least be shy to selective listeners. This album is also the most musically complex of the first four Pain of Salvation albums (Entropia, One Hour By the Concrete Lake, Perfect Element Part I, and Remedy Lane). After the atmospheric opener "Spirit of the Land", the next track "Inside" is one of musical complexity and conceptual thesis. The concept of this album is the envrioment and pollution. Not only is this album the most musically complex, but may be the most intellgent. The booklet is lined with notes relating to the songs, and the songs are filled with facts relating to the concept. it is only because of the track "Inside" that i know that since 1990 there have been 93 wars in seventy states around the world. This album was a class effort by Pain of Salvation that can be just as impressive as any other albums by this band when given it's due time.

The production of this album is amazing, in some parts even better that most Pain Of Salvation albums. The distorted guitars are the biggest difference. The distortion is rich and strong, but not overpowering. The tone is clear. The clean guitars do not lack depth, but would be much more authentic if they were acoustic. The drums are creative, but sometimes lack depth. The bass is pretty treble heavy for added clarity, but lacks prescence when the rest of the band is playing. The keyboards are the best from Pain of Salvation, every synth is placed perfectly.