In the Passing Light of Day by Pain of Salvation

Pain of Salvation's 2017 album, In the Passing Light of Day, is a compelling work of progressive experimentation, deeply intimate and emotional.

This Swedish progressive metal band is led by the great Daniel Gildenlöw, composer, guitarist, and singer, who also writes the lyrics. Their sound revolves around stunning guitar riffs and impressive, wide-ranging vocals, moving between heavy and calmer atmospheres, complex harmonies and structures, syncopation, and polyrhythms.

Their albums are generally concept albums that address current issues in both society and human existence.

The name "Pain of Salvation" was coined by Daniel Gildenlöw, who explained it as follows:

"It means balance. Accepting good and bad. It's also a good everyday expression: when something doesn't go as planned, [the expression 'pain of salvation'] indicates that it's just a small setback on an otherwise painless path to one's goal."

This is an intimate and emotionally charged progressive metal album that blends heavy, complex passages with softer moments. It explores frontman Daniel Gildenlöw's personal struggle with his health, and does so with a sound influenced by both modern and classical progressive and hard rock. It's a return to their darker days, their classic off-beat syncopations, and beautiful alternations between heavy and light atmospheres, with great technical skill from the entire band, featuring complex rhythms, intricate instrumental sections, and sweeping guitar solos.

The album consists of 10 tracks with a total running time of about 72 minutes. Between these two tracks, each about 9 and 15 minutes long, here are some notes on my favorites:

- "On a Tuesday" opens the album, a heavy, complex, and very emotional song that explores the band's repertoire of styles. A beautiful opener.
- "Full Throttle Tribe" is a heavy, tribal song, true to the title, with complex rhythms and harsh emotions, and a great syncopated and polyrhythmic composition.
- "The Taming of a Beast" is the catchiest and most rock-like song.
- "Reasons" is an aggressive and desperate song, very emotional, with great riffs and powerful passages.

- "Angels of Broken Things" is the most atmospheric and emotional song, with great keyboard parts.
- "Meaningless" is the most experimental song, a return to the band's past sound.
- "The Passing Light of Day" closes the album, an intense ballad with an epic finale, the album's top track.

A mature and emotionally intense album that balances complex musicianship with raw and personal lyrics, another great Pain of Salvation album.

Note: All links to the musicians' works are in the TAGS under the article title or on the "Artists" page.