Giving a renewed sense of life, death can be one of the most unforgiving teachers in life. Educating both mind and body in not taking what we are given for granted. Being diagnosed with a flesh eating bacteria, Pain of Salvation‘s Daniel Gildenlöw recently had a brush with that most callous of entities. Surviving the ordeal the man and band have returned to deliver In The Passing Light of Day. Fueled by resolve from Gildenlöw’s experience the record is a self affirmation of identity.
[tracklist]
- On A Tuesday
- Tongue Of God
- Meaningless
- Silent Gold
- Full Throttle Tribe
- Reasons
- Angels Of Broken Things
- The Taming Of a Beast
- If This Is The End
- The Passing Light Of Day
[/tracklist]
[details]
[length]71:00[/length]
[record_label]Inside Out[/record_label]
[release_date]January 13th 2017[/release_date]
[/details]
Returning to their heavier pastures once more the band kicks things off immediately as the record begins. Much of In The Passing Light of Day deals with the interpersonal battle that lies within ourselves in the face of adversity along with philosophies we follow in humanity. The morose “Silent Gold” brings with it minimalist tendencies acting as a neat comma in the records often long winded sentences. Opening with both “On A Tuesday” and it’s shorter predecessor “Tongue Of God“, immediately shows that the band are back to a heavier approach after the coffin bearing Falling Home. The ten minute opener segues from metallic distortion fed thuds to emotive clarinet echoed in the album’s footnote “The Passing Light Of Day“.
Whilst being a Prog record in the year of 2017, In The Passing Light of Day is very much tethered to the organic ties of the Progressive community. The docile “Full Throttle Man” retains an oddball identity with emotions flaring as and when needed with metaphorical regret rearing its head at points in the song. No doubt drawn from Gildenlöw’s experience proving that while even the most strong minded have moments of weakness. Making use of language downhearted use of past tense alluding to the singer has resigning himself to defeat. It’s an interesting, multi layered listen despite not being the happiest both from a lyrical and musical standpoint. In this instance “Meaningless” does appropriate damage opening with juddering electronics before an uphill struggle style chorus. No doubt more evident on “The Taming Of A Beast” where Gildenlöw’s more Mike Patton esque style of vocals reaching a crescendo before retreating to safety.
Make no mistake getting through the full set of In The Passing Light of Day’s 71:00 minute tag is not the easiest of listens. Often jarring passages with hard to follow time signatures, like the Gentle Giant style accapella drop out in “Reasons” mirrored in the rhythmic punctuation that follows. Having a distinct voice makes for not only a particularly theatrical delivery but one that resonates. For those who might have been unsure about approaching the record do so with an open mind. Initially not impressed with the album, having listened a couple of times, it’s a record that soothes over time. Marinating in its own thought In The Passing Light Of Day’s magic lies in patience. Despite their return to the heavier end of the Prog spectrum In The Passing Light Of Day reads like a beautifully tender and honest account of what was indeed a close shave, reaffirming not just a sense of identity but sense of life after the man’s fight proving well and truly there is Pain in Salvation. Welcome back.
[verdict]Yes[/verdict]
[why]Returning to the heavier component of their career In The Passing Light Of Day is both phenomenally well written and intensely emotional buts not an easy slog![/why]
For those more interested in discovering more about the record you can preorder the album here!
