ALBUM REVIEW: The Perfect Element Pt. 1 (Anniversary Mix 2020) – Pain of Salvation
The 21st century hadn’t even learned to walk when Swedish prog-metallers PAIN OF SALVATION released third album The Perfect Element Pt. 1 back in 2000. A three-act concept album, it marked a new dawn for progressive music and would help the band make the leap into a more prominent light with follow-up Remedy Lane two years later. When the latter was given the remastering treatment four years ago to a very warm reception, the logical next step was its predecessor and, via InsideOut Music, The Perfect Element Pt.1 is re-released to celebrate its twentieth birthday fully remixed and mastered by the dynamic duo of Pontus Lindmark and Thor Legvold.
Whilst the album has been heralded from all corners over the past two decades, the updated version offers a more immersive experience to listeners than the original with its rich, multi-layered compositions and colourful sonic landscapes made even brighter and prominent. Whether someone has been a PAIN OF SALVATION far since the beginning or just starting out, the stories of main characters He and She from their pasts to their relationship and their ultimate downfall is potent, emotive and captivating.
Even today, the genius of frontman Daniel Gildenlöw shines on timeless anthems like Ashes and Idioglossia, both in terms of lyrics and composition and will delight anyone who adores fellow countrymen OPETH or the legendary strains of PINK FLOYD. From the sprawling opening of Used right through to the climactic, ten-minute epic of the title track, The Perfect Element Pt.1 is, and will forever be, a stirring body of work that will firmly be among the upper echelons when discussions turn to the subject of excellent concept albums. In addition, the bonus track Epilogue is added to the main release for the first time; originally only available in Japan, this instrumental is the perfect credit-roller, rounding off the record in fine fashion as it comes in to land.
Partnered with this is a bonus, seven-track album of live takes and other rarities. Of these, four tracks feature from various performances between 2017 and 2018 and prove that PAIN OF SALVATION continue to be a serious forced on the touring circuit. Of course, it’s always better to experience it in the flesh, but with that still a few months off at the very least, the songs present (Used, Ashes, Falling and the title track) are enough to give fans a taster of what will be showcased when the band resume their intentions to play the entire album in full as they had done before the world shut down. Alongside this, there’s a vocal-and-strings only of Her Voices which will succeed in sending shivers down even the hardiest of spines, a thirty-second drum solo entitled Absolute Kromata and an alternative, instrumental version of Ashes. They’re decent enough, but definitely seem like something tacked on the end to offer that little bit extra, and aren’t particularly memorable in their own right.
Remastered albums can be disregarded as something for completists and die-hards only, but The Perfect Element Pt. 1 bucks this trend. The new coat of paint it wears has given a truly brilliant album a new lease of life and, whilst the additional package of songs is a welcome treat, it wouldn’t have even been needed given the strength of what, in an ideal world, should have catapulted PAIN OF SALVATION to superstardom.
Rating: 8/10
The Perfect Element Pt. 1 (Anniversary Mix 2020) is out now via InsideOut Music.
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