The Perfect Element, part I

Infobox Album | Name = The Perfect Element, part I
Type = Album
Artist = Pain of Salvation


Released = October 31, 2000
Recorded = Roasting House Recording Studio; Malmö, Sweden, March-July 2000
Genre = Progressive metal
Length = 73:50
Label = InsideOutMusic
Producer = Daniel Gildenlöw, Anders "Theo" Theander and Pain of Salvation
Reviews =
*Allmusic Rating|3|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:4257gjir36iv link]
Last album = "One Hour by the Concrete Lake"
(1998)
This album = "The Perfect Element, part I"
(2000)
Next album = "Remedy Lane"
(2002)
Misc = Extra album cover 2
Upper caption = Alternate cover
Type = studio


Lower caption = Limited edition cover Singles
Name = The Perfect Element, part I
Type = studio
single 1 = Ashes
single 1 date = 2000

"The Perfect Element, part I" is Pain of Salvation's third studio album, released in October 2000. It is a concept album that revolves around the forming of the individual. It is the first part of a three part concept and focuses more on the events from one's childhood and adolescence.

The Perfect Element, part II has now been released under the title Scarsick.

Overview

"Quote:":Daniel Gildenlöw: "The album is in a way a blend of the two earlier albums, with the groove and originality of "Entropia" and the focus, thoroughness and production of 'One Hour by the Concrete Lake'. However, it will be quite unique as an album."

Analysis

"The Perfect Element, part I" is the first part of a planned, three-piece concept, and is divided into three chapters, each containing 4 tracks.

The Perfect Element (as a whole) is a story of childhood and adolescence. "The Perfect Element, part I" focuses on the progress from childhood to adolescence. It contains many themes within its context; which include but are not limited to;

*Child abuse (sexual and presumably physical)
*Sexuality
*Tragedy
*Drug problems
*Love
*Pain
*Anger
*Loss (of life and innocence, among other things)
*Shame
*Regret
*Inner struggles

All these themes grow around the history of two characters ("he" and "she") who (as is told us on "Ashes") meet after having a picture of their past (In "Used" of "he" and in "In the Flesh" for "she")After that introduction, the concept focuses on the inner struggles and feelings of the characters after the events on "Ashes", and we also have some memory flashes, telling us more about their pasts, ending on the "falling" of he on "The Perfect Element".

Track listing

Chapter I: "As these two desolate worlds collide"

:1. Used - 5:23:2. In the Flesh - 8:36:3. Ashes - 4:28:4. Morning on Earth - 4:34

Chapter II: "It all catches up on you when you slow down"

:5. Idioglossia - 8:29:6. Her Voices – 7:56:7. Dedication – 4:00:8. King of Loss – 9:46

Chapter III: "Far beyond the point of no return"

:9. Reconciliation – 4:24:10. Song for the Innocent – 3:02:11. Falling – 1:50:12. The Perfect Element – 10:09

Concept and lyrics by Daniel Gildenlöw.

The Japanese edition contains one bonus track after The Perfect Element titled "Epilogue." (3:14)

All music and arrangements by Daniel Gildenlöw except the middle part of "Her Voices" by Daniel Gildenlöw and Fredrik Hermansson, and the "Once..." part of "The Perfect Element" by Daniel Gildenlöw and Johan Langell. String arrangements by Daniel Gildenlöw and Fredrik Hermansson.

Personnel

Band members

*Daniel Gildenlöw - lead vocals, guitar, producer, mixing, mastering
*Fredrik Hermansson - keyboards, Steinway and samples
*Johan Hallgren - guitar, backing vocals, mixing
*Johan Langell - drums, backing vocals, mixing, mastering
*Kristoffer Gildenlöw - bass, backing vocals

Other

*Pain of Salvation - producer, mastering
*Ander "Theo" Theander - producer, engineering
*Pontus Lindmark - engineering
*Mihai Cucu - strings
*Camilla Andersson - strings
*Petter Axelsson - strings
*Gretel Gradén - strings
*Johnny Björk - strings
*Daniel Gildenlöw/Gildenlöw MultiMedia - artwork
*Elin Iggsten - photos
*Johanna Iggsten - photos
*Fredrik Hallgren - photos