...SIŁA I PIĘKNO MUZYKI TKWIĄ W JEJ RÓŻNORODNOŚCI


..::OPIS::..

Dziwny zespół to całe Pain of Salvation. Niby wtłoczeni w progmetalową szufladkę. Prawie, jak progmetal, ale jak wiadomo…Nie, stop! Wróć!

Ciężko jest przeciętnemu człowiekowi i konsumentowi płyt zrozumieć Daniela Gildenlöwa (zwanego pieszczotliwie Boskim). Szaleniec czy poeta? Filozof czy grafoman? Muzyk czy performer i aktor? Geniusz czy szarlatan? Pytania bez rozstrzygnięcia i wiążącej odpowiedzi. Co osoba, to inna interpretacja. Stąd też chyba cała twórczość Boskiego jest rozumiana rozmaicie. I chyba dobrze. Podoba mi się ta polaryzacja poglądów. Od podejścia „niemalże na klęczkach”, poprzez zainteresowanie i docenienie, aż po totalne zniesmaczenie i niezrozumienie. Fajnie...
Album BE z 2004 roku – podzielił fanów zespołu, jak i pozostałych zwolenników tzw. rocka progresywnego. A to wylewano wiadro pomyj, a to wzdychano pod niebiosa. Pisząca te słowa po kilku latach dojrzała do odczytania BE na nowo. Przedarłam się przez przypisy, odnośniki, komentarze Boskiego (sporo tego): filozofia, nauki przyrodnicze, literatura, malarstwo, symbolika, ikonografia i Da Vinci Code. Cóż...mam skłonność do oczytanych, przystojnych chłopaków po 30-tce. Mrrr....

W 2005 roku wytwórnia InsideOut dała zespołowi zielone światło na wydanie, co by tu nie powiedzieć kolejnej z fanaberii Boskiego – koncertu na DVD. I nie byłoby w tym nic dziwnego (przecież każdy szanujący się zespół wydaje DVD), gdyby nie fakt, że ta oryginalna produkcja sceniczna po prostu przebija produkty konkurencji.

Miejsce akcji: Eskilstuna (Lokomotivet)
Wykonawcy: Pain Of Salvation & Orchestra of Eternity
Publiczność: gimnazjaliści + nauczyciele. Tak, mili Państwo – materiał zarejestrowany na potrzeby DVD został nagrany w obecności uczniów szkół z Eskilstuny. Ciekawostka, prawda? Materiał z BE grany był dwa razy w ciągu wieczora, przez 7 dni. Dwa ostatnie koncerty zostały zarejestrowane.

To bardzo teatralne szoł z ciekawym montażem, momentami w slow motion, efektami, filmami, przebierankami, symboliką koloru. Daniel kilkukrotnie zmienia odzież wierzchnią: a to pojawia się ubrany w długą, białą powłóczystą szatę, stylowy garnitur, skórzany płaszcz etc. Reszta zespołu i rzecz jasna orkiestra również się dostosowali. Makijaże i stroje miały symbolizować 4 żywioły: wodę, powietrze, ogień, ziemię.* Co do wartości estetycznej strojów i makijażu, cóż de gustibus...Ciekawie została również zaaranżowana przestrzeń sceny (basen z wodą, do którego co jakiś czas wstępował Daniel) oraz światła (w przeważającej ilości niebieskie – podkreślające mistyczność wydarzenia).

Od pierwszych słów:
I Am...
I Am...
I Am...
do ostatnich:
You might hear the only answer:
BE!
BE!
BE!
siedziałam urzeczona i co by tu powiedzieć zafascynowana.

Wracając do materiału muzycznego. Zmiany w stosunku do studyjnej wersji BE – niewielkie, ale zawsze. Sceniczna prezentacja materiału z BE jest nieco krótsza w porównaniu z wersją studyjną. Brzmi to wszystko znakomicie, bardzo dobrze. Cały zespół gra bez zarzutu. Wiele ciepłych słów można powiedzieć także o członkach Orchestra of Eternity. Jakaś niesamowita symbioza panuje miedzy muzykami POS a orkiestrą. Materiał piekielnie trudny i skomplikowany zagrany został przez OoE porywająco. Należy zwrócić jeszcze uwagę, że muzykom obydwu formacji nie towarzyszy dyrygent, a w takim przypadku „ryzyko wpadki” jest spore. Orkiestracje są moim zdaniem lepsze, niż na studyjnej wersji dzieła i to właśnie dzięki nim, niektóre utwory zabrzmiały znacznie lepiej niż w oryginale. Pluvius Aestivus w koncertowej wersji jest tak subtelny i piękny, że aż ciarki przechodzą. Fredrik Hermansson to znakomity pianista i kompozytor. Podobnie jak Lilium Cruentus z cudowną partią graną na oboju. A opus magnum dzieła są zdecydowanie Iter Impius (cudowne solo na wiolonczeli - łzy w oczach) i Martius/Nauticus II – które zagrane zostały w sposób mistrzowski. Czapki z głów. Co może dziwić, wg mnie Dea Pecuniae wypadła nieco bezbarwnie w tym zestawieniu. Za to Diffidentia – znakomicie. Zresztą, jak to w przypadku concept albumów bywa – należy ich słuchać w całości. Skojarzenia? Na pewno z The Song Remains The Same Led Zeppelin. Podobny ładunek emocji i pomysł . Znakomicie się to ogląda i szkoda, że koncert trwa tylko godzinę. Ale zawsze można wrócić do koncertu i obejrzeć następny raz. I kolejny. I raz jeszcze....

Muzycznie i koncepcyjnie: majstersztyk. Można Boskiego lubić bądź nie, ale moim zdaniem z tą nietypową sceniczną produkcją powinien zapoznać się każdy, nawet ten, kto PoS notorycznie nie cierpi i nie lubi fanów zespołu (a znamy kilku, prawda?)

Zasadnicza część DVD za nami. Pozostały jeszcze dodatki. Uff – sporo tego. Znakomite fotografie zespołu autorstwa Larsa Ardarve.Mamy jeszcze dodatkowo komentarz odautorski (Daniel & Johan Hallgren), zabawny wątek poszukiwania treści satanistycznych w BE (Religious Fanatic Track), filmiki, ukryte menu, automatyczną sekretarkę pana boga i co tam chcecie.

Ale to jeszcze nie koniec. Dodatkowo do dysku DVD dołożona została wersja CD z prezentowanym materiałem. Kto nie lubi oglądać obrazków, zawsze może posłuchać.

Znakomite wydawnictwo: słownie dziewiątka.

* Spośród czterech żywiołów ogień i powietrze to aktywne zasady męskie, a ziemia i woda to pasywne zasady żeńskie. Z czterema żywiołami kojarzone są cztery fazy życia człowieka: dzieciństwo, młodość, wiek dojrzały, starość.

PS. Jeśli ktoś będzie urażony recenzją cóż , trudno.

Lothien



Depicting the existence and substance of God and His creations and interpreting it in musical lyrics and notes must be extremely difficult for even gifted musicians. Hence, describing the existence and substance of God and His creations in a cohesive 75 minute musical drama, especially in the progressive rock corridor, appears to be a "mission impossible". Against all odds, Daniel Gildenlöw, the lyricist, chief composer, guitarist, and lead vocalist of Pain of Salvation (PoS), a Swedish progressive metal band, was able to do it brilliantly and elegantly in 2004!

Thanks to Gatot "Top Markotop" Widayanto, who has been kind in re-lending me his PoS BE DVD and patiently encouraged me to review my thought after I returning his DVD back to him for the first time, I am finally able to appreciate the album. For me, the PoS BE (the band's fifth) album is probably one of the most complicated art works to be decrypted. Such difficult, that I need to download a sizeable information from the internet on the album before hearing it for the second time. This is because the strength and uniqueness of the PoS BE album does not lie on its musical notes and beats, but it is on its musical lyrics, story plot, and concept. Hence, it is imperative that you understand the background of characters displayed in the drama, read the lyrics contained in the DVD booklet during the play, and watch it in a proper DVD Dolby Surround 4:1 mode. I am afraid that you won't be able to fully extract Mr. Gildenlöw's message by playing his brilliant and complicated work in the CD 2-channel system mode.

There are five characters, appearing and disappearing in this musical drama. The first is called Animae, representing the God. The second is Imago, which is the image of humanity in its most natural form. The third is Mr. Money, the dark side of Imago who like to be immortal. The fourth is Dea Pecuniae, the feminine version of Mr. Money and the Eve of humanity's dark side. Finally, Nauticus, the most intelligent creature ever created by Animae, which are drifting and hovering in the space and searching for answers to save Earth. In my interpretation, I also see Nauticus as the most powerful substance of the dark side of Imago, regretting and wanting to rectify his mistakes.

The album is opened up by 1:48" sub 500Hz beat, gradually rising in tempo, depicting the birth of Animae, called Animae Partus. God, in Daniel's definition, must have heart beats and, therefore, he displays these sounds as his prologue. "Who I am? In the back of my awareness I find words: I will call myself. God", narrated Mr. Gildenlöw's. Then, having had an orchestra introduction, you'll hear somewhat mellow metal riffs, called Deus Nova. In this 3:18" piece, Daniel depicts a situation where the world created by Animae has been becoming bigger (he narrates a rising number of population, in-line with the function of time), but it has also been becoming vulnerable.

Using a beautiful combination of mandolin, flute, and piano as an introduction, Mr. Gildenlöw takes us to the next 5:11" piece, titled Imago, describing how Animae teaches Imago the beauty of his creations (presumably in the Heaven). "Teach me of the forest, teach me of the sea, teach me anything as long as you teach me.", Imago begs to Animae. Johan Langell's percussion at the back induces a somewhat Middle East color into the composition. It is followed by Fredrik Hermansson's 5:00" beautifully crafted classical piano, combined with violin and viola, in Pluvius Aestivus. In this mellow instrumental composition, it appears to me that Daniel attempts to depict how satisfy Animae is following the creation of Imago. Note that rather than relying on Kristoffer Gildenlöw's electric bass, Daniel relies on cello to create softer, but clear beats.

The slow rock melody guitar opens up the 5:28" piece, called Lilium Cruentus, describing how Imago losses his innocence and struggles to recover his strength. Imago's confusion on his life is depicted by metal beats and riffs in this section. "They tell me you are better off where you are now, I don't care.", the evil presumably whispers to Imago. "I need something to blame for this pain.", Imago attempts to find a scapegoat for all suffers he experienced in this current life.

Suddenly, your TV screen turns into black and you'll only see a candle and its light. An eerie sound humming: "Oh Lord, Oh Lord, won't you hear a sinner prayer.", while a mellow melody guitar played at the back Imago is obviously asking Animae whether he could be forgiven for his sins in the 4:58" Nauticus. Lars Lundin and Alfred Magnusson's diagonal recording technique (portraying the hum on the front right and back left speakers at the same time and vice versa) further dramatizes the ambiance. The candle light almost turns off at the end of the piece when the eerie narration saying "Save me, I'm drifting. Help me, I'm drifting", symbolizing Imago's diminishing hope.

As Animae doesn't answer Imago's call, it appears to me that he becomes disappointed and broken. Putting forward his angers by unveiling his dark side is essentially Mr. Gildenlöw's message in the next somewhat blues 10:09" composition, called Dea Pecuniae. As I mentioned in the beginning, Imago's dark side is reflected by two characters-Mr. Money and Dea Pecuniae. Materialism and desire on power are some of Imago's dark sides. "If you are looking for fulfillment, a Kingdom and a Crown, a Paradise of Free rides, I am here to let you down." teased Dea Pecuniae to Mr. Money.

The next 4:15" section, called Vocari Dei or Messages to God is the album's trademark. Here, Daniel sets up a phone line for fans from around the world to ring and leave their messages to God. These messages were collated and presented with a peaceful instrumental accompaniment, resulting in what I think the most touching track in the album. "God, if you love us, why we are subject to an increasing injustice through out the world. Do you show your love by tormenting us? It doesn't make any sense", said one of desperate fans, similar to Imago's sober feeling.

Accentuating by the Vocardi Dei fragment, Animae finally takes Imago's call. Starting with staccato and heavy rock riffs, Mr. Gildenlöw depicts a somewhat unfriendly exchange of words between Animae and Imago in his 7:25" Diffenditia piece. "God, you know, you created a golden cage for your sheep, a stage too wide and deep for us to even see the play.", said Imago. "Man is shattered, I am shattered. My shards have become shards of their own, pieces of pieces, impossible to put back together, they leave me, they do nothing more than spending their lives seeking a context they were already part of, until there is no alternative", Animae complains.

Believing that his creation will never gained back his innocence, Animae regrets and curses himself in the 6:21" and 2:27" grief turned into metal rock composition, named Nihil Mohari and Latericius Valete, respectively. "Nothing will ever change, touch me, heal me. Mankind remains the same. Forests, oceans, bleeding. Nothing will ever change.", Animae cries.

Meanwhile, broken and angry Imago, who lost the guidance, is looking for another more powerful and higher substance as his new master. Setting on the back of classical and church music background, Imago turns to Nauticus, who is actually his most powerful dark side, in the 2:37" Omni section. "We all need something to believe in. I see us in you Nauticus. Will you go, travel on, serving our fragile race? Will you come back to us with the meaning of life?" said Imago to Nauticus. On your TV screen, you could watch Daniel pulls off his jacket, washes it in a small pond in front of the stage, and wears his wet jacket, symbolizing that Imago has cleaned its past and found a new master. What a great stage act!!!

Using a rock opera music as an entry, Mr. Gildenlöw describes how Imago's dark side runs amok without control in the 6:21" Iter Impius. Here, Mr. Money (one of two Imago dark sides) says: "I woke up today expecting to find all that I sought, and climb the mountain of the life I bought. Finally, I'm at the top of every hierarchy, unfortunately there is no one left.but me. I'm on my own, I am all alone, I am on my own. I'm stuck forever here. Already cold, so cold. I rule the ruins". Imago has been becoming so powerful and successful, but yet he feels alone and empty.

The emptiness felt by Imago is further emphasized by the 6:41" Maritus/Nauticus II. Opened up by slow tempo and gradually rising, Nauticus declares: "I'm at the line, I see it all. I am Nauticus and I'm so much more. I am everything". Imago's dark side has possessed everything-"I am every forest, I am every tree, I am every ocean, I am every sea". He becomes so powerful and even promotes himself to be the new Animae by saying: "And if you listen closely you might hear whisperings in the silence of darkness, beautiful, yet distinguishable and beautifully clear. You might hear the only answer "BE", "BE", "BE". The piece is ended by Daniel's solo percussion, a great way to end this beautiful and complex art work!

Before ending my review on the album, let me quote Mr. Gildenlöw's answer when he was asked about God (please see http://www.alternative-zine.com/interviews/en/41 ): "I always had a very complicated relationship to the concept of God, because, I mean, God is constantly present in this world weather you believe in him or her or not, you will be aware of the existence and the concept of God in human existence, I've never been able to believe in any of the Gods as presented in any human religion so far, I've always hoped for God, I always wished for God but I never manage to believe and have full faith in the concept of God, especially after working with this concept, I have come and more to the conclusion that the question weather there is a God or not does not apply to our fractal system and is like when this two dimensional guys are looking at the cylinder asking themselves if there's a round shape or a square shape and there is no answer, because you cannot ask that question, because it's beyond our fractal".

Enjoy this piece of beautiful and complex art work with open mind and you will appreciate how genius Daniel Gildenlöw is.

Best regards, Rizal B. Prasetijo



..::TRACK-LIST::..

Prologue
1. Animae Partus ("I Am") 1:48

I. Animae Partus - All In The Image Of
2. Deus Nova 3:18
3. Imago (Homines Partus) 5:11
Arranged By [Orchestral Arrangements] - Jan Levander
4. Pluvius Aestivus - Of Summer Rain (Homines Fabula Initium) 5:00

II. Machinassiah - Of Gods & Slaves
5. Lilium Cruentus (Deus Nova) - On The Loss Of Innocence 5:28
6. Nauticus (Drifting) 4:58

Dea Pecuniae [10:09]
7a. I Mr. Money
Vocals [Dea Pecuniae] - Cecilia Ringkvist
7b. II Permanere
Vocals [Dea Pecuniae] - Cecilia Ringkvist
7c. III I Raise My Glass
Vocals [Dea Pecuniae] - Cecilia Ringkvist

III. Machinageddon Nemo Idoneus Aderat Qui Responderet
8. Vocari Dei - Sordes Aestas - Mess Age 3:50
9. Diffidentia (Breaching The Core) - Exitus - Drifting II 7:36
10. Nihil Morari - (Homines Fabula Finis) 6:21

IV. Machinauticus - Of The Ones With No Hope
11. Latericus Valete 2:27
12. Omni - Permanere? 2:37
13. Iter Impius - Martius, Son Of Mars - Obitus Diotinus 6:21
Written-By [Music], Arranged By [Orchestral Arrangements] - Fredrik Hermansson
14. Martius/Nauticus II 6:41

Deus Nova Mobile - ... And A God Is Born
15. Animae Partus II 4:08



..::OBSADA::..

Daniel Gildenlöw - Vocals, choirs, voices, harmony vocals; electric and acoustic guitar; mandola; Chinese archo; keyboards; percussion on toms, rototoms, mandola (body), eggs, floors, broken cymbals and what-have-you; samplers and programming.
Fredrik Hermansson - Grand piano, harpsichord and keyboards; percussion on large toms;
Johan Hallgren - Electric and acoustic guitars; harmony vocals; percussion on congas.
Johan Langell - drums; backing vocals; percussion on djembe and cowbell.
Kristoffer Gildenlöw - Bass and Fretless bass; double bass; harmony vocals; percussion on congas.


The Orchestra of Eternity:
Mihai Cucu - 1st violin
Camilla Arvidsson - 2nd violin
Kristina Ekman - viola
Magnus Lanning - cello
Åsa Karlberg - flute
Anette Kumlin - oboe
Nils-Åke Pettersson - clarinet
Dries van den Poel - bass clarinet
Sven-Olof Juvas - tuba

Guest Musicians:
Mats Stenlund - church organ
Cecilia Ringkvist - vocals

Other:
Donald Morgan - narration
Donald K. Morgan - narration
Alex R. Morgan - narration
Kim Howatt - news reading, Cindy (Sandra!)
Jim Howatt - news reading
Jackie Crotinger - news reading
Ross Crotinger - news reading
Tom Kleich - Mr. Money on radio
Blair Wilson - interviewer on radio, Miss Mediocrety
Gaby Howatt - Miss Mediocrety
Molly Fahey - "There's room for all God's creatures..."
Various people from around the world - voice messages to God




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBaqZDrJmY4



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