Since the foundation of his first significant band, Reality, back in 1984, mastermind and bandleader Daniel Gildenlöw has consistently followed his own concept of diverse, technically accomplished and border-transcending progressive rock. He renamed the band Pain Of Salvation in 1991 and has released six studio albums and one unplugged recording previous to the "Road Salt" opus, among them classics such as "Scarsick" (2007), "BE" (2004) and "Remedy Lane" (2002). Each of these releases has impressed as a multi-layered concept album, dealing with tough sociopolitical themes, while also manifesting very intimate, individualist views. Even though Pain of Salvation's albums might appear quite different from each other at first sight, all things considered, they are all similar in terms of lyrical depth as well as in how fairly broad and musically wide they are in themselves. These albums often grow on you with time, just like best quality wine...

Making no exception to this tradition, "Road Salt Two" (also referred to as "Ebony" and recommended by Uber Rock here) is not only made to compliment the "Road Salt One" offering. It also opens up a new chapter for Pain Of Salvation, promising to kick off an adventurous and lengthy journey for the band to bring their music to be heard in all corners of the world. Starting out in 2012 with their next headlining tour of Central Europe running through February and March 2012 and including the four UK shows highlighted below.

In closing, asked where his creative road is heading, Gildenlöw replies honestly "The thing is I never know, do? The only thing I can say for sure is that I am bound to change. For me that's just what it's all about - I keep redefining music for myself and I keep redefining myself and my relation to music. If that would stagnate I am not so sure that I would feel very pushed to move on with it, because to me music is still a lot about experimenting and expressing. If you lose that I don't really see the point of it... After all, I'm not heavily into entertainment music".

Pain Of Salvation; Line-Up Daniel Gildenlöw - vocals/guitar, Johan Hallgren - guitar/vocals, Leo Margarit - drums/vocals, Fredrik Hermansson - keys/vocals

Pain Of Salvation's UK headline tour - February 2012:

Friday 10th - SCOTLAND, GLASGOW, Captain's Rest

Saturday 11th - ENGLAND, LEEDS, The Well

Sunday 12th - ENGLAND, BILSTON, The Robin

Monday 13th - ENGLAND, LONDON, The Garage

Tickets for these dates are available by clicking on this link.

If however you are a bit short of cash right now (and let's face it who isn't?), your trusty gig going buddies at Uber Rock have managed to get our hands on two pairs of tickets for the above London date to give away to two lucky Uber Rockers (that's a pair of tickets for each show) thanks to our good friends at Mean Fiddler. 

All you have to do is send your name and address to mail@uberrock.co.uk in an email headed 'PAIN OF SALVATION Comp' telling us your name, contact details (email and home address will do) along with your age. Yes - That really is all you have to do, you don't even to answer a question. So what are you waiting for?

Please note that is you are under 16 and applying your +1 will need to be over 18 for you to get in, and no one under 14 need apply as The Garage operates a strict no under 14's policy, so can you please bear this in mind when applying as we really don't want to get into trouble with the venues.

Entries must reach us before midnight on 8^th February 2012 (UK Time).  You will pick your tickets up from the venue on the night of the gig.  Usual terms and conditions apply. Two winners get a pair of tickets each for the gig in London (just to be clear that is one pair per winner) and the winners will be notified directly by Email, we do not provide hotels or travel as part of the prize, that extra cost is down to the lucky winners to pick up.

Good luck!!

Pain of Salvation photo kudos; Lars Ardarve