Pain of Salvation In the Passing Light of Day

Have you already finished the artwork for your next album “In The Passing Light Of Day”?

Nope, I always try to work up a really high anxiety level first, and get in close contact with deadlines. Nah, but it’s usually one of the last things to get locked in, since there are so many pressing things that need attending first. I do have a vision of what I want to achieve, and I have already worked closely together with photographer Lars Ardarve to shoot material for an idea we have. It’ll be interesting to see how it comes together.

When is release day?

Last thing I heard was January 13 (I picked the date, it’s a Friday of course) next year.

“In The Passing Light Of Day” is produced by Daniel Bergstrand (In Flames, Meshuggah, Strapping Young Lad, etc.). You stated: “This cooperation feels like a match made in heaven (or rather some other cool place that I actually believe in), and he was as thrilled to be working with us as we with him.” Can you describe his influence on the recording?

Well, just like me, he is a man of detail, a man who is dedicated to his trade and is willing to go that extra mile whenever he feels there are improvements to be done. He is passionate, an artist. He will try anything and is ready to throw out an idea instantly if it doesn’t work, abandoning his standard routines. At the same time he is very old-school in his methods and will stand his ground when he believes in something. Needless to say, I felt right at home in his presence. And the drum sound is stellar, it just poured out of the speakers the way I always wanted it to sound!

And please tell us more about this place you believe in.

Nah, it was just any cool place. As opposed to Heaven, which I simply don’t believe in. A match made at Epcot Center? The Easter Islands? I don’t know, just insert whatever is your own equivalence of Heaven, I guess. Santa’s workshop at the North Pole…? Grand Canyon…

It appears that Pain of Salvation’s recent albums were mainly shaped by mastermind Daniel Gildenlöw. Lately you have integrated the second guitarist Ragnar Zolberg more into the songwriting. How does this influence the new songs?

It’s been nice to have someone to write with again. Musically, we were very much on the same page when we started working on the new album. We both had ideas for songs and passages, and stitching them together came very naturally.

Ragnar Zolberg lives in Iceland and Norway. Is it a challenge to reconcile the distance with the creative process of composing, recording and rehearsing?

Yes, very much so. But we have worked hard to make it work, and our lovely wives and families have stepped in and helped a lot.

Usually the release of a new album is followed by a tour. What can we expect?

We have to wait and see, but I guess we would be looking at touring USA and Europe next spring, maybe starting in February. Hope to see you all there! Full throttle! (laughs)

Swedish progressive rock/metal innovators Pain of Salvation have announced the worldwide release of their long-awaited new studio album ‘In the Passing Light of Day’ for Friday the 13th of January, 2017 via their longtime label partners InsideOutMusic.

Working together with acclaimed producer Daniel Bergstrand (In Flames, Meshuggah, Strapping Young Lad, etc.) at Dugout Studio in Sweden, the band have crafted an album that sees them returning to their much praised heavier sound, featuring the syncopated rhythms, glorious melodies, and intensely personal themes that Pain of Salvation fans have long loved about the band.

Inextricably linked to the near fatal illness that band-leader Daniel Gildenlöw spent much of the first half of 2014 recovering from, the album is an altogether darker and more impassioned journey. Taking the hospital bed as a narrative hub, the lyrical and musical themes touch on all the conflicting feelings that run through a person’s mind when presented with the prospect of death and the passing of life.

The album will be available as a special edition 2CD Mediabook (including expanded 48-pages booklet, several in-depth texts by conceptual author Daniel Gildenlöw, demo material & band commentary tracks), standard jewelcase CD, gatefold 180g 2LP vinyl plus album on CD as bonus & digital download.

1. ON A TUESDAY (10:22)
2. TONGUE OF GOD (04:53)
3. MEANINGLESS (04:47)
4. SILENT GOLD (03:23)
5. FULL THROTTLE TRIBE (09:05)
6. REASONS (04:45)
7. ANGELS OF BROKEN THINGS (06:24)
8. THE TAMING OF A BEAST (06:33)
9. IF THIS IS THE END (06:03)
10. THE PASSING LIGHT OF DAY (15:31)