Pain Of Salvation - Dark Suns

I actually was leaving to see Germany’s finest known as DARK SUNS playing live (and doing an interview) this evening. Since their debut Swanlike they are one of my faves and definitely one of the hopefuls in Germans metal scene. PAIN OF SALVATION is a band that is well-known, latest since their masterpiece Remedy Lane. Though I never dealt with them that closely, a fatal mistake!
Tonight’s show was scheduled to be the first on this tour and the only one in Germany. Many different city codes were to find on the venue’s parking ground. Anyway, fans seem to freak out this evening and attended quite early at Zeche Carl in Essen. Astonished about this weird ado I first picked me up an energy drink and tried to solve the thang with the photopass (thank you so much Rob!). Of course, most of the people there didn’t know anything about DARK SUNS, a circumstance that changed fast...

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:. DARK SUNS ~ kicked off early with Zero in an almost sold out location. The band was obviously nervous since it was not only the first gig date but they also shared the bill with one of the band’s biggest idols and influence. While the surprised crowd was searching the singer – who of course sat behind the drum kit – the band discarded their nervousness. Just the lightning man seemingly slept anywhere. While a DARK SUNS crew member filled in to manage the lights the audience really started to get into the band’s music. DARK SUNS offered an unfortunately very short but atmospheric and emotional show of melodic but sophisticated progressive-influenced Death Metal. All six songs come from the band’s latest release Existence, that was high-rated everywhere. I think this tour is huge chance for the band to present themselves to a bigger audience. Judging from what was said around, the band succeed! Grandiose show!
Setlist: Zero, The Euphoric Sense, Her And The Element, You, A Phantom Still, Daydream, Patterns Of Oblivion

:. PAIN OF SALVATION ~ needed longer time to change the backline and to prepare themselves. During this time the audience already chanted “Daniel, Daniel” and “Pain Of Salvation”, underlaid with applauds and stamping. It was clear for whom the fans came over. Lights out, spots on! While with the intro the crowd seem to freak out completely I duck and PAIN OF SALVATION started thundering with Used. Now I understand why Dark Suns are such fans … now I understand what thrilled the audience… I understand! I will never ever forget what I experienced here! Never, ever! PAIN OF SALVATION played an almost 3 hrs set! In words: THREE HOURS!!! 2 ½ hrs planned set with a break of 10 minutes and an encore for around 20 minutes. I couldn’t believe that! The band pulled out all the stops good stage entertainment has to offer. The band members were joking, telling stories, explaining things, making fun, and communicating with the fans in front of the stage. On a huge screen in the background sequences from the current DVD BE were running. The band played a repertoire of all five albums, beginning with older songs blended with a few from BE and in the second part a lot of material from Remedy Lane and again BE. PAIN OF SALVATION are fast, heavy, energetic, melancholic and emotional. They are Metal, they are progressive, but not boring people to death with the fingers on the fretboard. They are such skilled musicians (you should have seen how Daniel continued his great solo with broken strings), entertainer and bloody charismatic. What a show! What an enthusiastic audience! And all that although Daniel Gildenlöw explained that he couldn’t rehearse that much coz of illness. The band already seems to burst for energy and enjoyed a lot to play. Even after almost 3 hrs, fans hadn’t enough… an unbelievable show. It was so awesome. Couldn’t get it. Speechless. Oh, and what was Winnie Puuh doing on the screen?
Setlist: Intro, Used, Diffidentia, Welcome To Entropia, Winning A War, People Passing By, Oblivion Ocean, Spirit Of The Land-Inside, Inside Out, Ashes, Falling, The Perfect Element // Of Two Beginnings, Ending Theme, Rope Ends, Second Love, Animae Partus, Deus Nova, Dea Pecuniae, Iter Impius /// Undertow, ! (Foreword), Martius / Nauticus II

However, I think there is nothing left to add without repeating what was said before. I guess I have to purchase a bunch of CD’s now ;) Oh… and hell yes! We won the battle with the Spaniards and the Greeks. Yeah!