PAIN OF SALVATION — Entropia (review)

PAIN OF SALVATION — Entropia album cover

Album · 1997 · Progressive Metal

5/5 · 2010-04-07
arcane-beautiful

This is my first Pain Of Salvation album. I have never ever actually listened to one of their albums from start to finish, but my brother has been playing them and worshiping at a statue of Daniel Gildenlow for a while now...so I have to listen to one. (Puts in cd and runs away)

"Is this really a gift from the Gods."

Yes it is. I believe that Pain Of Salvation were put on this earth, due to the fact that they are everything that I like about music in general. There just for me, not for you...

Yes, I do believe, that even though this isn't their best album, it still is one of the greatest debut albums I have ever heard in my life (and I've listened to many many albums).

This album, as a whole has quite a funky texture but also an incredible emotional metal side to it as well.

The concept deals with war (I hate war, see they are made just for me). At times the concept is quite ambiguous, but to be honest, the dramatic music, the time changes and dynamics that would break a metronome (Meshuggah, if you're reading this, listen to this band...they can get it right)

1. ! (Forward) - What an amazing start to the album. This song kicks serious arse. Catchy as hell, such power from every instrument and Daniel's vocals are the best vocals in the world in this song. What an amazing song. No wonder they play it all the time.

2. Welcome To Entropia - It's a war. There's a helicopter....and a techno beat?

3. Winning A War - Very emotional. The lyrics really deplict emotion and heartache from the turmoil of war. The middle section is brilliant in my opinion.

4. People Passing By - What an epic. The bassline in this song is incredibly memorable and is a favourtie for a Pain Of Salvation song. With beautiful vocal harmonies, an incredibly well written and complex instrumental section. What more do you need. Amazing vocals? Yep, it's got them too.

5. Oblivion Ocean - Sounds like Zombie Eaters by Faith No More (although Faith No More basically are Pain Of Salvation...just not as good). A lovely ballad and some great vocals.

6. Stress - There is always one mental song on a Pain Of Salvation album. This would leave a math metal band crying. Seriously...

7. Revival - Alot of changes in tone and very dramatic. An amazing piece of music that really is emotional.

8. Void Of Her - Interlude basically.

9.To The End - Great counterpount and harmony in this song. Also a bit of a middle eastern vibe to the chrous. Amazing.

10. Circles - Another interlude with a folky influence and some nice vocals.

11. Nightmist - Epic as hell. There is also one of Daniel's most memorable high notes in this song. Very atmospheric and very dramatic.

12. Plains Of Dawn - Very Genesis like. Folky and dramatic. Not too Jethro Tull, but enough to get by.

13. Leaving Entropia (Epilogue) - The first time I ever heard this song was when I was getting money from a cashpoint. What a weird memory. Great ending. Leaves the listener very vague and lost.

CONCLUSION: Buy all their albums. Listen to them, sleep with them, breathe them, I will be for the next few years.