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
Nauticus
Pain of Salvation Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh Lord
Oh Lord
Won't you hear a sinner's prayer
Oh Lord
Oh Lord
Won't you help me find the way
When I'm lost and lead astray
Oh Lord
Mmmâ?¦
Oh Lord
Oh Lord
Won't you help me to stay humble
Oh Lord
Oh Lord
Oh Lord
Won't you help me be an ocean
Help me bend to stay unbroken
Oh Lord
Mmmâ?¦
Save me, I'm drifting
H elp me, I'm drifting
Oh Lordâ?¦
Oh Lordâ?¦
Oh Lord
Mr.Money:
- OK alright baby, the love of my life
Girl:
- Are you referring to me... or the car?
Mr. Money:
- Oh, please honey, what do you think?
- Now, Cindy...
Girl:
- Sandra
Mr Money:
- Yeah, of course. Now, as I see it, we've got two natural choices here. So, what do you say? Either I drive and you can give me some good head while I'm watching the road...
Girl:
- What?
Mr. Money:
- Well, somebody's gotta watch the road honey...
- ...or... YOU can drive this baby
- ...oh, but only if you're good at handling the stick of course...
Girl:
- But... this is an automatic?
Mr. Money:
- ...rrrright!
Girl:
- Is that some sort of sick joke?
Mr. Money:
- What?
Girl:
- ... "natural choices" my ass!
Mr. Money:
- Well, that's a third choise I didn't think about...
Girl:
- You son of a...!
Mr. Money:
- Take it easy baby!
- No sweat... it was only a joke, alright?
Girl:
- Alright
Mr. Money:
- ... I mean, of COURSE I was joking...
- ... I would NEVER let you drive my car!
CLUE: pay attention to the radio...
The song "Nauticus" by Pain of Salvation begins with a plea to God, asking for help and guidance for a sinner who has lost their way. This is a common theme throughout the song, as the singer repeatedly begs God to save them from their drifting and help them stay on the right path. The chorus also includes a plea for humility and the ability to bend without breaking like the ocean. The song speaks to the universal desire for guidance and strength when faced with uncertainty and struggles.
The song is also notable for its use of various sound effects, including the radio conversation between two characters that can be heard toward the end of the track. The dialogue is meant to serve as a social commentary, highlighting the objectification of women and the toxic masculinity that can often be present in our society. The song ultimately ends with the repeated plea to God, emphasizing the singer's need for salvation and direction in their life.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Lord
The singer is asking the Lord to hear their prayers.
Oh Lord
The singer is repeating their request for the Lord to help them.
Won't you hear a sinner's prayer
The singer is acknowledging their sins and asking the Lord for help despite them.
Won't you help me find the way
The artist is asking for the Lord's guidance and help when they are lost and don't know what to do.
When I'm lost and lead astray
The artist is describing a situation where they are lost and don't know what to do.
Won't you help me to stay humble
The singer is asking the Lord to help them stay humble and avoid becoming arrogant or prideful.
Won't you help me be an ocean
The singer is asking the Lord to help them be like an ocean - strong, unbroken and resilient even in the face of challenges.
Help me bend to stay unbroken
The artist is asking the Lord to help them be flexible and willing to adapt, in order to stay unbroken and resilient even when faced with adversity.
Save me, I'm drifting
The artist is using this line as a plea for help, perhaps feeling lost or adrift in their life or faith.
Help me, I'm drifting
The artist is continuing their plea for help, perhaps feeling overwhelmed and in need of guidance.
OK alright baby, the love of my life
Mr. Money is addressing his female companion in a playful, possibly flirtatious way.
Are you referring to me... or the car?
The female companion is teasing Mr. Money, not sure if he is talking about her or his car.
Oh, please honey, what do you think?
Mr. Money is evading the question in a playful way, still teasing his companion.
Now, Cindy...
Mr. Money mistakenly addresses his companion by the wrong name, adding to the humor of the exchange.
Yeah, of course. Now, as I see it, we've got two natural choices here. So, what do you say? Either I drive and you can give me some good head while I'm watching the road...
Mr. Money is suggesting a sexual act while driving, which his companion is not comfortable with.
Well, somebody's gotta watch the road honey...
Mr. Money is joking, but also highlighting the danger of his earlier suggestion.
...or... YOU can drive this baby...
Mr. Money presents the second option, which seemed like a joke until he keeps talking.
...oh, but only if you're good at handling the stick of course...
Mr. Money makes a crude innuendo, but the joke falls flat when his companion reminds him that the car is an automatic, showing that he does not understand much about cars.
...rrrright!
Mr. Money tries to play off his mistake and failing to know about the car's transmission with a dismissive noise.
Is that some sort of sick joke?
The female companion is no longer amused and accuses Mr. Money of making a cruel joke.
... 'natural choices' my ass!
The female companion is angry and cursing, rejecting Mr. Money's earlier suggestion as not a 'natural choice.'
Take it easy baby!
Mr. Money tries to calm down his companion, but it likely won't work.
No sweat... it was only a joke, alright?
Mr. Money is trying to backpedal, claiming it was all a joke and not meant to be taken seriously.
... I mean, of COURSE I was joking...
Mr. Money is repeating his claim that it was just a joke, perhaps feeling a little embarrassed.
... I would NEVER let you drive my car!
Mr. Money is trying to reassure his companion by stating that he would never let anyone else drive his car, except himself.
CLUE: pay attention to the radio...
This line is a hint to the audience, asking them to pay attention to the radio instead of this humorous exchange between Mr. Money and his companion.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: DANIEL GILDENLOEW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind