Just when you thought another magnanimous band could not come out of Sweden, you are greeted with a pleasant surprise.  Pain of Salvation, a progressive metal band with an awe-inspiring and unique sound, has released their new album titled, "Panther", which was presented to the world on 28 August 2020. 

The release of the album also comes with a new video (with the same namesake), scripted/directed by Lars Ardarve and Daniel Gildenlöw and filmed/edited by Lars Ardarve, and can be seen below;

Singer Daniel Gildenlöw feels it imperative to give the audience some insight on the title and its origins:

“Of course we need to introduce you to the title track of our coming album. PANTHER. In many ways, the lyrics and concept of the PANTHER album have grown out sideways from our previous album ‘In The Passing Light of Day’ – branching out like a new tree from the stem, specifically from the track Full Throttle Tribe.

Another trigger for the album was the chorus of the song PANTHER:

How does it feel to be you? she once asked me
I said I feel like a panther trapped in a Dog’s world

Daniel Gildenlöw also had this to say about the epic song off their new album, "Panther":

“Due to the situation in the world right now, we find it more important than ever to provide our fans with visual representation of what we are and what we do, artistically, since touring is not an option. See it as our equivalent of FaceTime and you are all our beloved grandmothers. And now we are calling you up again to ask you how you are doing and to let you see your grandkids (they are growing up so fast). Today you will be talking to PANTHER, your third grandchild from our upcoming album with the same name.“

He also says it is an album with many layers; to peel back and discover the immense power of this quarter and what they have accomplished.  It must be experienced only through the magic of sound....

The first track, "Accelerator", is an excellent first song- heavy hitting drums, loud and wild vocals and interesting content. The song does not follow the typical 4/4 pattern; it gives a perk to the ear by changing up the regularity of timing.  Gildenlöw has a 'Dio-esque' voice- the verbrato, the feel and ability to conjure anger.  The song borders on the edge of creepy which draws the listener in further.

Next song, "Unfuture", is one of my favourite songs on this album. All facets of the band are explored; from quiet, intellectual thoughts to mayhem with a side of methodical madness.  In this song, the band’s songwriting gives them a certain aptitude of depth- which takes the listener to a certain space in their mind to contemplate these issues.

"Restless Boy" bequeaths is with its’ presence next and this was a magnificent surprise!! The entrance of the song was a bit robotic, intentionally, a bit computer- istic.  When Gildenlöw’s voice comes in, the sinister enters with his voice and sadistic words; a chilling but welcome wake up call.  The song is not long but most definitely effective in its’ vibe that it sends to the listener and the message to get across with intelligent lyrics.

The next song to grace us is "Wait", most definitely a song about lost love.  A familiar but soothing piano melody repeats in the background, as Gildenlöw brings his voice down a few notches.  At one point, I believe I hear saxophone and a more 'flamenco-like' guitar- it adds a completely different and gratifying dimension to the band.  Although it’s an emotional song, it is not a song I would pass on.

I really enjoyed "Keen to a Fault", the next song on "Panther". It stars with a very mellow vibe- keyboards, acoustic guitar and its’ almost like you are getting ready for a story.  At about the 2 minute mark, the song breaks into a heavy, sludge, progressive rock sound and you realise that in the entire song, he is taunting the rich, affluent and the frivolous nonsense of life and of relationships. It is an absolute MUST LISTEN song.

"Fur" is the banjo/acoustic break in the album; it’s always nice to have a bit of reprieve after your ear drums were assaulted for a hot minute. Back to the rad music.

Title track, "Panther" DOES NOT disappoint!!  It starts out a bit like a NIN song; with the kind of cadence that Trent Reznor has when he sing/talks.  This is filled with MUCH more rooted energy; their first song with this quick tempo and unmistakable energy.  It is, by far, the heaviest of the songs on the album and a line such as, "... I feel like a panther, trapped in a dog’s world..." is enough to make you THINK about the depth of this song and album.

The last two songs on the album, "Species" and "Icon", I believe are about two similar things- the future- and the future of one’s love and one’s life.  The are unmissable songs- filled with raw emotion, heartache, unknown and even some happiness.

I really loved this album. From Sweden have come some of my favourite bands and that I will not forget and the rad new bands that keep emerging. This is a staple, a symbol of the bands that people in the genre admire.  And I love the title, who doesn’t want to stalk like a Panther at night????

Review by Marisa Dymond

@rocknrollarisa