Remedy Lane by Pain of Salvation

Just when you think Pain of Salvation will continue on with their parade of emotions and overbearing drama as in The Perfect Element and previous albums, all required elements I suppose of progressive metal, they decide to tone it down - compact all that's necessary - minimize - with the new album Remedy Lane. Its not being economical but rather having just enough to portray what they want to portray. It comes out as a nice flow. And its subtlety is nice to hear. For Remedy Lane is a vastly personal account type of album. Its also of something revealing and troubling. So who wants to pipe their horn and sqwuak about this subject of lust and gulp... ok this is for you to find out. Remedy Lane is also a musical achievement for the band I think because they seem to nail down their sound, borrow a little from the greats like Dream Theater and Rush but developing their own sound and not sounding as grandiose. The music is tighter and more accesible in the way of Evergrey's latter attempts. Nicer playing of the guitars. The melodies just roll along nicely. No more spastic and Maudlin. And Daniel Glidenlow sings with purpose and for the subject matter of Remedy Lane, he sings without unnecessary effect. When things get heated, he's heated - a bit wordy - but heated. When things need to be reserved, he's not pushing his point in your face. So perhaps for Pain of Salvation this is maturity. For Remedy Lane perhaps the band holds this sacred and treats it with care. Tact? I dunno. Artistry? yes

Score 3/5

by Alzn