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
Idioglossia
Pain of Salvation Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Face to the floor
Heart in my mouth
My forehead hits the pavement
Again, numb, again
Sharing this humility
A circle of humanity
Immomentarily black
So black
Memory leave me be
Close that eye leave love blind
When outcome is preceded
By an outlet that is needed
We forget all but the circle
As soon as the ends have met
As soon as the ends have met
I scratch the surface and see
Someone better than me
Where did I suffer that loss?
What was taken from me?
As I search through the ashes
For someone to blame
I'm afraid to see my face
As I walk through the ashes
I whisper your name
Meeting you have forced me
To meet myself
This blood proves me right
In that the last move is all that
Counts if the beasts must bite
Vow to the floor
Oath to the taste of dust
In my mouth - never!
I bite the words - never again!
Will I let anyone else finish
I'll be the end of every way
Memory let it die left behind
Leave me blind
Despite all these words
Not one could express
What I had inside
Living was to hide
Kneeling in whirlpools
Of pink champagne
Celebrating the bravery of my pain
Something broke
And no water could ever wash
The anger from that first stain
I scratched the surface to find
Someone wicked and blind
Where did it come to that end?
Why can't these scars ever mend?
Memories...
I have swallowed all these tears
Thought they'd be gone
After all these years
Now this heart is waking up
With a new hunger
For my own blood
As I search through the ashes
For someone to blame
I'm afraid to see my face
As I walk through the ashes
I whisper your name
Meeting you have forced me
To meet myself
Face to the ground
Heart in their mouth Foreheads hit the pavement
Again - numb - again
Sharing my hostility
A streetful of insanity
This is payback for every
Tear in me, hole in me
Black in me - black!
Memory history agony
Let me see that hideous
Idioglossia that formed me
Despite all these words
Not one could express
What I had inside
Living was to hide
For every time you froze me out
For every punch every shout
For not believing in me
For your stupidity
For stealing what could have been
Me
It all comes back to you
Is this all I am?
The opening line of "Idioglossia" by Pain of Salvation is "It all comes back to me", and this reflects the recurring theme of self-reflection and inner turmoil. The song is about the pain and frustration of being misunderstood, isolated and rejected by others, which leads the singer to question his own identity, his memories, his relationships and his purpose in life.
The first verse depicts the singer in a state of physical and emotional distress, feeling beaten down and humiliated by the world around him. The image of his forehead hitting the pavement suggests both literal and metaphorical submission, as he is forced to confront his vulnerability and powerlessness. The repetition of "again, numb, again" conveys a sense of resignation and fatigue, as if the cycle of suffering is endless.
The chorus expresses the singer's desire to escape from his own memories and emotions, which he sees as a burden and a source of pain. He wants to close his eyes and shut out the world, to avoid the risk of being hurt again. The refrain "memory leave me be" highlights the tension between the need for forgetfulness and the fear of losing one's identity and history.
Overall, "Idioglossia" is a complex and introspective song that deals with universal themes of alienation, trauma and self-discovery. It blends elements of progressive rock, metal and classical music, and showcases the virtuosity and versatility of Pain of Salvation as a band.
Line by Line Meaning
It all comes back to me
Every experience, emotion, and memory that I have is interrelated and connects to my identity and perception of self.
Face to the floor
I am kneeling or bowing down in submission or defeat.
Heart in my mouth
I am feeling extreme anxiety, fear, or anticipation.
My forehead hits the pavement
I am prostrating myself or showing deep respect and submission, often to a divine or higher power.
Again, numb, again
Despite experiencing the same intense emotions or situations repeatedly, I am becoming desensitized and detached from my own responses.
Sharing this humility
Through my own struggles and failures, I am able to empathize and connect with others who are experiencing their own difficulties or humiliations.
A circle of humanity
By recognizing our shared experiences of pain and suffering, we can form a collective community or bond that transcends individual differences or identities.
Momentarily black in me
For a brief moment, I am consumed or overwhelmed by intense emotions or sensations, often to the point of feeling unconscious or disconnected from reality.
Immomentarily black
Despite feeling momentarily overwhelmed or lost, I am able to quickly regain my composure or reconnect with reality.
So black
The intensity of my emotions or situation is so overpowering that it feels suffocating or all-consuming.
Memory leave me be
The pain and trauma of past experiences is haunting me and preventing me from moving forward with my life.
Close that eye leave love blind
Rather than facing the pain of lost love, I am choosing to ignore or repress my emotions, which will ultimately prevent me from experiencing love in the future.
When outcome is preceded
The result or consequence of a situation or action is often determined by the preceding circumstances or choices.
By an outlet that is needed
Sometimes, in order to achieve a desired outcome, it is necessary to release or vent the emotions or energy that is holding us back.
We forget all but the circle
When we are united by a shared experience or purpose, we are able to set aside our individual differences or conflicts.
As soon as the ends have met
Once we have achieved our goal, we can quickly forget about the preceding difficulties or sacrifices that were necessary to reach that point.
I scratch the surface and see
I am beginning to examine or question the reasons behind my own flaws or insecurities.
Someone better than me
Despite my personal failings, I am starting to see the potential for growth and self-improvement.
Where did I suffer that loss?
I am trying to identify the root cause or origin of my own pain or trauma.
What was taken from me?
I am reflecting on the ways in which my pain or adversity has impacted my life and robbed me of certain opportunities or experiences.
As I search through the ashes
I am engaging in a painful, but necessary process of self-reflection and introspection in order to heal and move forward.
For someone to blame
I am struggling to accept responsibility for my own pain and am searching for external reasons or causes to explain my situation.
I'm afraid to see my face
I am hesitant to confront my own flaws or mistakes, as this may force me to acknowledge my own role in my pain or misfortune.
As I walk through the ashes
I am experiencing the aftermath or consequences of my own mistakes or hardships.
I whisper your name
Despite my attempts to move on, I am still haunted by the memory or presence of someone who has caused me pain or trauma.
Meeting you have forced me
Encountering this person has challenged me to confront my own flaws and weaknesses, as well as the source of my pain and trauma.
To meet myself
Through this encounter, I am learning to accept and understand my own flaws and identity, even the painful or difficult aspects.
This blood proves me right
Despite external doubt or criticism, my pain and struggle are evidence of my own strength, resilience, and determination.
In that the last move is all that counts if the beasts must bite
In order to survive or thrive, we may be forced to make difficult or painful choices, but ultimately, our actions and decisions define us.
Vow to the floor
I am making a solemn or binding commitment or promise, often to a higher power or greater cause.
Oath to the taste of dust
I am dedicating myself to a path of humility, sacrifice, or struggle, often characterized by difficult or painful circumstances.
In my mouth - never!
I am rejecting or resisting the unpleasant, bitter, or difficult aspects of my situation or experience.
I bite the words - never again!
I am making a firm and decisive statement, committing myself to a path of growth, healing, or self-improvement, often in response to my own pain or trauma.
Will I let anyone else finish
I am taking control of my own life and refusing to rely on others for my own happiness or success.
I'll be the end of every way
I am determined to chart my own path and not be held back by societal expectations or limitations.
Memory let it die left behind
I am attempting to move on from my past pain and trauma, rather than allowing it to dominate or control my present and future.
Leave me blind
Rather than fixating on the past, I am opening myself up to new experiences and opportunities, even if they involve some uncertainty or risk.
Despite all these words
Despite my attempts to find meaning, understanding, or resolution, I am still struggling to comprehend or express the depth of my own pain or trauma.
For every time you froze me out
This line is a direct address to a person who has caused me pain, highlighting specific actions or behaviors that have harmed me.
For every punch every shout
This line continues the direct address, listing additional ways in which this person has abused or harmed me.
For not believing in me
This line identifies a specific way in which this person has failed to support or encourage me, worsening my own pain or trauma.
For your stupidity
This line identifies the source of the other person's hurtful behavior or actions, highlighting their own flaws, weaknesses, or limitations.
For stealing what could have been
This line suggests that this person has deprived me of potential opportunities or experiences, magnifying the pain and loss of my situation even further.
Me
This final word emphasizes the personal nature of the pain and abuse I have experienced, grounding the song's themes in the singer's own experiences and emotions.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: DANIEL GILDENLOEW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind