Review of Pain of Salvation - Be Live (DVD)

A veteran of the progressive music scene since the mid-eighties, mastermind Daniel Gildenlöw has been responsible for some of the genre’s most artistic and moving material; not only in Pain Of Salvation, but also as a part of Transatlantic and The Flower Kings. Garnering much deserved acclaim for his latest conceptional endeavor, BE is undoubtedly Daniel’s most inclusive and triumphant masterpiece to date. With a complex storyline that delves deep into the relationship between religion and science, God and man, BE poses the question that has yet to be answered by any faction – If God created man, then who or what created him?

Prior to the BE studio sessions, Gildenlöw and company scheduled a few pre-production shows at the Lokomotivet industry hall in Sweden, where alongside the nine piece Orchestra Of Eternity they flawlessly performed the opus in its entirety. Though an array of Pain Of Salvation fans from all across the globe attended these shows to witness this extraordinary aural escapade come to life on stage, the crowd atmosphere was very intimate and serene, much like at an opera. While the band and ensemble performed the compositions that make up BE, the audience indulged in a stunning visual presentation that included lighting, digital effects, theatrics, and imagery overlays. The combination of these effects and the concert footage is very reminiscent of The Song Remains The Same by Led Zeppelin.

As with any other Pain Of Salvation release; from the earliest phases of research and brainstorming of concepts and storylines, Gildenlöw has had his hands in literally every aspect of the BE: Live project. On a creative front, he penned virtually all of the music, lyrics, narratives, and texts, while in the production department Daniel took on several duties including mixing, mastering, filming, editing, choreography, and even stage design and DVD art layout. Such involvement truly displays his passion, drive, and genius.

So much more than a companion to its studio counterpart, BE: Live is an extension of BE that not only captures the album’s profundity, but surpasses it in leaps and bounds with a visual manifestation unlike any other. Fans of the band that were present the evening of this recording will want to get their hands on this DVD if only to evoke the memory, while those who were not NEED this disc so that they can experience BE in a whole new light, the way it was meant to BE.

Release Details

Pain of Salvation

Be Live (DVD)

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