Pain Of Salvation

Geez… was that great or what? Grandiose? Amazing? Brilliant? Those who attended the PAIN OF SALVATION shows in 2005 and found them just great, as I did… that have been just the warm-up shows for the tonight’s evening!!!
Ok, I’m a fan for years and these mentioned shows in Essen and Oberhausen have almost been sort of a manifestation. So it might obvious that I talk in superlatives. Objectiveness to or fro… these Swedish gents definitely deserve that!
And again there was only one NRW show pinned on the trek. And again I’d have killed to be there ;) Ok, was not necessary *lol* The brand new album Scarsick, which is in fact a continuation of The Perfect Element Pt. 1, caused many discussions. People either categorized Scarsick as “top” or “flop”. However, it’s great to see musicians and their work lively discussed by fans and critics. As for me I love Scarsick. It’s their most sociocritical album so far I think, very angry yet with a ray of hope. And finally, the single albums get together to something bigger…

:: pics ::

Ok, this time the Zeche in Bochum. When I arrived on time the queue already reached the parking ground. Wow… much more people than in 2005. Merchandise did not excite me really. Motives were nice bit nothing fancy or special and way too expensive. No prob, I’m not here to fill me wardrobe ;)
Interesting site note: everywhere boards were pinned with “thank you for not smoking” on it. For the illiterate an official announcement was made too. Smoking was not explicitly forbidden, though, most people followed the “instruction, which was very comfortable (was my third non-smoking show, just great I tell ya ;)) A clever move…

:. THE LAST SUPPER ~ was the support band no one knew and no one announced anywhere. 15 minutes too early (as displayed) the Canadian quartet entered the stage, introduced themselves and kicked off the show. I have never heard of them before, most of the others either. But to be honest: no one cared; the crowd was here to see the headliner. It is an unthankful job to open for such a band… Musically speaking the band offered an interesting mix of ProgRock, Grundge, 70’s stuff and even with oriental influences. Sound was not the best, I could not hear out much of the details. Singing was too monotonous, Mr. Dan Shwetz always ranged on the same pitch. You better listen to the music on the albums, as far as you can get them. THE LAST SUPPER’s third record entitled 0° - Order Into Chaos is scheduled to hit the stores in Spring.
Setlist: Order, Mary, R.D.S., Life Line, Undone, Hey Joe, Self

:. PAIN OF SALVATION ~ did not have any problems afterwards. More than thrilled 600 fans pushed towards the stage and frenetically welcomed every singly appearing band member. By the way… PAIN OF SALVATION also begun too early…
They kicked of with Scarsick and America from the brand new album and then invited to a journey into the past. Undertow from the masterpiece Remedy Lane was meant to be a highlight when Daniel Gildenlöw started performing this great song acoustically. Stupidly two drunken dickheads heckled and disturbed him (and us) so that he got out of the right text line. Luckily these fucking bastards got deleted by the security and Daniel started right from the beginning. Ok, most of tension was away, but this song is great enough to go under your skin though. Mr. Gildenlöw acted cool and was joking about it. In the meanwhile tour bassist Simon Andersson got introduced; a nice and cheeky guy, always joking and good for laughs.
Anyway, vibes were sensational. Every song got celebrated and sung along. The crowd was lying to the band’s feet, while PAIN OF SALVATION played their souls off. There was something in the air and you almost could sense out the jumping sparks. Just great! Breathtaking! Starry-eyed most fans were downright stunned, mesmerized, so captivated, a show made to become legendary ;)
After around an hour the huge disco ball got illuminated marking the end of the official set with Disco Queen. Of course, fans freaked out and with an ear-battering noise the Swedes were called back on stage for three encores. AMAZING! A unique show so filled with energy and emotions. Unbelievable! That was definitely a show that queues in to my personal top 10 live shows of all time. I want more!!!
Setlist: Scarsick, America, !, Nightmist, Handful Of Nothing, New Year's Eve, Ashes, Undertow, Pledge/2nd Love, Chainsling, Diffidentia (Breaching The Core), Flame To The Moth, Disco Queen // Hallelujah, Cribcaged, Used

As you tearing down my world
Please just try to do it gently
There is still love inside
For the dream that had to die