Pain of Salvation : "PANTHER"

This is not a huge change in sound for them despite electronic elements being more predominant on the opening track. They are not doing this in a way that conforms to a commercial sound . It defines progressive. They continue to not stand still and get comfortable with a sound. It is also less metal than the previous release. Daniel's voice sounds great. He knows how to serve the song . This can also be said about the instrumentation employed . There is no wanking. It's complex and simple at the time. There are aggressive elements with out being over metal. On the second song there is a heavier dynamic it swells into, this is counter balanced with a very organic melodic verse with a sight blues touch. This then contrasts the shift to a more futuristic sound on the verse of "Restless Boy" . The more intense chorus is somewhat Faith No More , but that seems to have always been an influence. It is more of a glitched out stacatto that once again is not overt metal , but heavier.

"Wait" is not a pop song but is is one of the more smoothly melodic and following song on the album. He still retains a rock edge to his voice. Very emotional but controlled Daniel shows he is one of the best singers in the game. "Keen to a Fault' falls more on the line of what your average prog listener wants from music, though with less shredding . They are without a doubt tremendous musicians. Not my favorite vocal melody on the album, feels like its following too closely. I might be nit picking but that is what I hear. The guitar playing makes up for it. "Fur' is just a banjo interlude, but then they turn back the clock with the title track that finds Daniel doing a Patton like white boy rock rap. Musically they way their are playing with electronics is interesting.

I like the lyrics to "Species" where he exclaims 'sometimes I hate my fucking species" . The abum ends with the 13 minute "Icon" . This is a "prog" band so not surprised. Not really a power ballad in the 80s sense of the world but a very dynamic ballad. Things do not get as intense as I like them until the final 3 minutes, which are pretty great. I will give this a 9.5 and see how it sits with me, Not their best album, but that is a high bar. It is better than the bulk of things calling themselves prog these days.,