Trademarks include concept albums focusing on social, environmental, philosophical, and emotional issues as well as songs that incorporate complex rhythms and time changes but retain flowing melodies.
The band was formed by Gildenlöw in 1984 under the name Reality. The band used to participate in many music contests in their homeland of Sweden. The first EP, Hereafter, was recorded in 1996 under the monicker Pain of Salvation, which has been the name of the band since 1991. The Lineup of the band was the same for their first official full length album, Entropia(1997).
After the departure of Daniel Magdic for continuing disagreements with the others over committing to the increasing demands of the band, the band recorded One Hour By The Concrete Lake(1999), a concept album about the issues of nuclear power/waste, disposition of indigenous peoples,industry and human discovery. The band began to receive more attention from critics and magazines all around the world. In 1999 they also played at the famous ProgPower festival in The Netherlands.
Their third and most famous album, The Perfect Element I was released in 2000 and received a great response from the crowd and critics, making them the second most famous Progressive Metal band over the world: a success confirmed by their fourth album, Remedy Lane (2002), a semi-autobiographical album written by Daniel Gildenlöw about loss, love, and life.
2004 saw the release of two different albums, an acoustic live show recorded at Eskilstuna called 12:5 where the band played most of their old famous songs rearranged, and the epic concept album about the origin of humanity and God called BE: It was the first album to divide the fan base in opinion, due to its musically experimental and philosophical nature; and perhaps also its lack of cohesive progressive metal pieces.
BE album was also released in a special DVD edition called BE: The Original Stage Production (2005). With a live CD recorded during the 2003 presentation of the album and a DVD rappresentation from the same dates.
On 21 February 2006, Kristoffer Gildenlöw was asked to leave the band due to him not being able to attend rehearsals, since he lived in Holland and the band lived in Sweden. Kristoffer has a solo album planned for the future, as well as a side project called Dial.
The new album, Scarsick, was released on January 22, 2007. It is more band oriented than BE, with Daniel Gildenlöw playing bass in the studio. Recent interviews with Daniel have revealed that Scarsick is, in fact, the second part of The Perfect Element, confirming the speculation of many fans.
A European tour to support the new album has been announced (it started February 17, 2007). The band will be playing with Simon Andersson, a new replacement bassist on this tour. On the 10th of March, after the Copenhagen show, Simon Andersson was welcomed into Pain of Salvation as a full member. The band issued this message on their website:
He (Simon Andersson) did an outstanding job on the tour and we are looking forward to the coming years with great anticipation. Since his girlfriend is a huge Pain of Salvation fan, we happily expect to see this decision put a little silver lining on their sex life as well, since she can now all of a sudden go to bed with a member of the band :-) Congratulations Simon, and welcome to the family!
In May 2007 it was announced that drummer Johan Langell had decided to leave the band to spend more time with his family.
For Progressive Nation 2009 Tour the band took a new bass guitar player - Per Schelander.
According to their website, there is a new EP "Linoleum" due in November 2009, while a double album "Road Salt", consisting of two parts (Ivory and Ebony) is recorded and to be released in 2010, 2011.
Current lineup:
Daniel Gildenlöw – vocals, guitar
Johan Hallgren – lead guitar, backing vocals
Léo Margarit - drums
Gustaf Hielm - bass guitar, double bass, vocals (1992–1994, 2011–present)
Daniel "D2" Karlsson – keyboards, percussion, backing vocals
Former members:
Daniel Magdic – guitar, backing vocals
Kristoffer Gildenlöw – bass guitar, double bass, backing vocals
Johan Langell – drums, percussion, backing vocals
Magnus Johansson - bass guitar (1990)
Joakim Strandberg - bass guitar (1984–1990)
Mikael Pettersson - drums (1984–1990)
Fredrik Hermansson – keyboards
Simon Andersson - bass guitar, backing vocals (2007-2008)
Per Schelander - bass guitar, backing vocals
Ragnar Zolberg - guitar, vocals, mandolin
Conditioned
Pain of Salvation Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Never thought that you could be sold
Or controlled
I'm the TV being on in the background
The girl who used to like you in school
I'm the one who's making you feel like
You are nobody's fool
But you live by my rules
So if heaven is a place for thee
Then it's all me
I'm the kid who's laughing at your complexion
I’m every Bob and Steve and Diane
I'm promotion plan
You are?
Oh yeah
I'm the dirty cash in every election
The winners writing your history
Nudging you just ever so slighty
I'm spoof, spam and spin
And you're letting me right in
So if heaven is awaiting thee
And sweet Jesus the Lord will
Be holding thee
Then I'm him
And if you reject me
And fight to remain free
And try to keep your own
You'll find a life of misery
But if you embrace me
And oppose the fighting few
And make my needs your own
You will be just fine
'Cause I will be holding you
I will be holding you
I will be holding you
I will be holding you
In Pain of Salvation's song "Conditioned," the lyrics describe the way in which society is conditioned to think and act a certain way. The song describes how the individual is sold and controlled by the powers that be, and how they may not even realize they are being manipulated. The opening lines suggest that people don't even realize that they have been conditioned, and don't see themselves as someone who could be sold or controlled.
The lyrics go on to describe the different ways in which this conditioning takes place. The singer portrays themself as the "TV being on in the background," and as "the one who's making you feel like you are nobody's fool but you live by my rules." They are the "dirty cash in every election," and "the winners writing your history." The song suggests that people are constantly being bombarded by messages from the media and politicians, and that they often don't even realize the effect this has on them.
The final part of the song suggests that if one resists this conditioning, they will experience a "life of misery." However, if they embrace it and "make my needs your own," they will be "just fine." The tone of the song is critical of this conditioning, but it also suggests that it is difficult to resist and escape from.
Line by Line Meaning
Never thought that you were conditioned
You never realized that you were being manipulated and influenced in your thoughts, behaviors, and beliefs.
Never thought that you could be sold
You never thought that your opinions or actions could be bought or influenced by others.
Or controlled
Or that you could be controlled by external forces or individuals.
I'm the TV being on in the background
The constant presence of media and its messages around you.
The girl who used to like you in school
The internalized desire to seek validation and approval from others.
I'm the one who's making you feel like
The one shaping your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors to fit certain standards or expectations.
You are nobody's fool
Making you feel powerful and in control, while in reality there are invisible forces at play.
But you live by my rules
But in reality, you are living by the rules and expectations set by these external forces.
So if heaven is a place for thee
If you believe in an afterlife, and think you can enter a place of eternal happiness and peace.
Then it's all me
Then I am the one shaping your beliefs, actions, and behaviors towards that goal.
I'm the kid who's laughing at your complexion
A bully or someone who is making fun of your physical appearance, creating self-doubt and insecurity.
I’m every Bob and Steve and Diane
Referring to the everyday people and institutions that hold power and control over you.
I'm promotion plan
A set of marketing and advertising tactics that influence your choices and decisions.
You are?
Questioning your identity and individuality.
Oh yeah
Asserting control and power over you.
I'm the dirty cash in every election
Referring to the corrupt and manipulative nature of politics, where money influences the outcome and shapes people's minds.
The winners writing your history
Those in power controlling the narrative of history by promoting their agenda and interests.
Nudging you just ever so slightly
Manipulating your thoughts, emotions, and actions in a subtle way to align with their own objectives.
I'm spoof, spam and spin
The techniques used in media and politics to manipulate and deceive people through fake news, marketing, and false narratives.
And you're letting me right in
And you are willingly letting these influences and messages shape your thoughts and behaviors.
So if heaven is awaiting thee
If you believe in an afterlife where you will find eternal peace and happiness.
And sweet Jesus the Lord will
And if you believe that Jesus Christ will hold you and guide you to that afterlife.
Be holding thee
Be holding you and guiding you to that afterlife.
Then I'm him
Then I am the one shaping your beliefs and behaviors towards that goal.
And if you reject me
And if you reject the external influences shaping your thoughts and behaviors.
And fight to remain free
And if you struggle to stay true to your own beliefs and values.
And try to keep your own
And if you try to maintain your individuality and control over your own life.
You'll find a life of misery
You will find yourself struggling and facing hardships due to the external pressures and disadvantages.
But if you embrace me
But if you submit to the external influences and expectations shaping your thoughts and actions.
And oppose the fighting few
And if you go against the few who are struggling for freedom and individuality.
And make my needs your own
And if you prioritize the interests and needs of those influencing and controlling you.
You will be just fine
You will find success, approval, and happiness by going along with the external standards and expectations.
'Cause I will be holding you
Because I will be the one shaping your beliefs and actions towards that success and happiness.
I will be holding you
I will continue to have power and control over your life, even though you might not realize it.
I will be holding you
I will continue to influence and shape you, without giving you the freedom to think and act on your own.
Contributed by Chase C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.