When I bought "The perfect element part I" I didn't know what to expect.
It was my first encounter with Pain of Salvation. Playing the cd left me with a feeling completely different from all the stuff I used to listen to up until now. And believe me, I listen to a lot of different stuff. We are talking about one of the best albums of the 00's.
Progressive and genius music perfectly bound with beautiful sentimental vocals and lyrics that leave you thinking.

This is the third album of Pain of Salvation and it is their best in my opinion.
Perfect element part I was the first of three in their planned concept project. "Scarsick", released in 2007 it is the second one. Prior to Perfect Element part I, Pain of Salvation had released two very good albums: "Entropia" in 1997 and "One hour by the concrete lake" in 1999.

This album has everything a demanding listener needs and gives a new air in the progressive scene. There are many nice details you can discover, such as jazz elements, the use of classical music instruments, interesting intros and outros between the songs, very nicely worked backing vocals and effects like whispers, screams, etc. D.Gildenlow has a wonderful voice and by varying it from rage to melody or from pain to hope, colors the album in the best way!!!

The perfect Element it is a hymn to the loss of childhood innocence. A combination of hope, disappointment and rage dressed with intense feelings, more intense music and most intense lyrics. These are some of the feelings that are evoked by listening to this album and all this is felt through the view of two children growing up together and in such time when they have to abandon the shelter of their childhood innocence.

The album is divided in three chapters, four songs form each chapter, so the album consist of 12 songs, except for the Japanese version which comes with a bonus track in the end called "Epilogue".
First song "Used" with strong guitars, raged vocals and melodic outbursts.
(I am crying unwept tears through this violence.
I'll die trying to break this thick crust of silence)

"In the flesh" starts calmly and builds slowly until the outburst, which arrives by the fourth minute. Melodic guitars, inspired drums and vocals coming deep from inside the soul. Last minute is just beautiful music and functions as an outro for the song.
(A wind beaten bird for reasons unheard.
Sometimes it is best to run away)

"Ashes" which has also been released as a video, has a toy sound as a background and an excellent refrain. One of the highlights of the album.
(I've walked with the weakest just to feel strong.
You've given your body just to belong)

"Morning on Earth" is more calm and sentimental and has spoken parts.
(I am the tears in your mouth,
I am the weight on your shoulder,
I am the scream that wants out...)

5.IDIOGLOSSIA: Gathers musically the most progressive elements.
The refrain from "Ashes" can be listened again in this song.
Cleverly repeated lyrics and music themes from song to song in the whole album, keeps the listener connected to the main concept all the time.
(I scratch the surface and see
Someone better than me
Meeting you have forced me
To meet myself)

"Her voices":
In the middle of the song, some oriental style elements can be heard!
(So she filled the void with unearthly friends
Voices of hers - greater... than us)

"Dedication": Another emotional song talking about the loss of their Grandfather. A sad moment that all of us have to feel sometime.
(I watched you die
And I have feared this moment
Since I was just a child)

"King of Loss":
What a great song and lyrics full of meaning. Listening to it brings to mind "welcome to the machine" by Pink Floyd.
(Mother, at my first breath
Every paragraph was set)

"Reconciliation"
(Up to my knees in filth and mud
How it hurts to become clean)

"Song for the innocent" together with "Falling" (an instrumental song, even though lyrics are provided inside the booklet) serve as bridges that guide us to the climax of the album and the last song "The perfect element".
With the longest duration of the album, "perfect element" in the end leaves us with the feeling that this story will be continued, and definitely this is something that the listener longs for after this wonderful journey...
(In his head a thunderous
Cry of desperation
Tearing voices from his past
Scream for his attention)

This album should belong to the music library for all people who enjoy listening to quality music!!!