Having finished a two months running co-headlining and sold out tour with Opeth at the end of 2011 Swedish prog rock masters PAIN OF SALVATION did not take a long rest and returned on stage in support of their double CD Road Salt. Those who missed them get now a second chance to see them again and to experience one of these breathtaking shows, very close and extra long :)

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Once again the Swedes stopped at the Zeche, Bochum, where they already played two years ago (and also in 2007) with Beardfish (and making my birthday special :)). As it is usual for the Zeche, the evening starts and ends early due to strict curfew. Photographers first had to snatch a place in the front row, as there was in fact a photopit but not for photographers. Odd, somehow.

However, 2012 sees Hanover-based act :: CRYPTEX :: sharing the bill. They kick off on time in front of a well-crowded venue (which was sold out as I heard). I never heard of this band before and was curious what they are about. To come to the point: CRYPTEX rocks like hell. They came, played and conquered, playing an own brand of progressive Folk Rock with Jethro Tull and Meat Loaf echoing from afar. CRYPTEX is a very lively and much likeable trio consisting of Simon Moskon, Ramón Fleig and Martin Linke, “the smiling madness” to cite the info sheet. But it’s fronter Simon who stands out and attracts a great deal of attention. Never being at a loss for words, announcements and jokes he hammered on his keys like a dervish, danced and went wild on stage while playing bass, blues harp and a Didgeridoo (Photosynthesis). At the end of the last song Leviathan he downright erupted killing a tambourine one of its bells hit a photographer’s head. This guy definitely has pure Rock’n’Roll running through his veins. No drama by the way, a tear of blood made the singer running for full wound treatment including ointment, band-aid and 1000 apologies. Songs almost completely came from last year’s debut Good Morning How Did You Live? (except for Romper Stomper, Photosynthesis). Yes, that indeed were much entertaining 40 minutes! Audience started slowly but at the end they were enthused by CRYPTEX.
Setlist: Intro, Hicksville, Habitus And Itchy Feet, Freeride, Dance Of The Strange Folk, Camden Town, Alois, It’s Mine, Romper Stomper, Photosynthesis, Gypsy’s Lullaby, Most Lovable Monster, Grief And Despair, Leviathan

A short break and finally… the intro sets in leading over to the Road Salt Theme, while :: PAIN OF SALVATION :: enter the stage under a thundering welcome. The look has changed. Daniel Gildenlöw as sole founding member and drummer Léo Magarit, who joined in 2007, got a new crew with Daniel „D2“ Karlsson as new and permanent keyboarder, Ragnar Zolberg on guitar and backing vocals and Gustaf Hielm on bass. And due to this new and awesome line-up it was possible to play a song such Enter Rain finally live, a new one to a POS setlist, my favorite on Scarsick, and definitely one that leaves you with gooseflesh. Of course the band focused on the latest double album Road Salt, but also played at least one song from every other one, except for the sophomore, once again (don’t know do they hate it?). All in all it resulted in an almost two and a half hour running set of mind-blowing musicianship, yet entertaining as Daniel can’t do a show without jokes and fun, teasing band and fans, letting the crowd dance and sing along. Healing Now was played as sort of acoustic mandolin version, while the first encore, the Kiss cover She saw the band completely mixed with Daniel behind the drum kit, Gustaf on guitar, Mr. D2 on bass and Ragnar on guitar. Léo took a break behind the curtain ;) Daniels was polite asking the audience if they wanted to hear the Kiss cover version. The ones who screamed “no” were shown where the door is *laughs* Band members were asked too but didn’t dare to refuse. Good boys ;)
Once again there have been so many details, jokes and things that made this concert so special and unique. To enjoy a post-live-feeling you probably have to film the entire show.
Setlist: 20th Century Fox Theme Flute Edition/Road Salt Theme, Softly She Cries, Ashes, Linoleum, The Deeper Cut, 1979, To The Shoreline, Chain Sling, Iter Impius, The Perfect Element, Stress, Healing Now, Kingdom Of Loss, No Way // She (KISS cover), Enter Rain, The Physics Of Gridlock, Sisters

What’s left to say? PAIN OF SALVATION is one awesome and unique band. Every show is truly a surpassing experience. There’s never a bad show and you will never ever see the same show twice. That is what makes this band so special. Not only live, also on CD. The new line-up plays well-rehearsed and harmonious, loves and shares its passion. I can only recommend going to one of their shows if you know and like them or the genre generally. I definitely love them!

story & pics © Dajana