PAIN OF SALVATION

Pain of Salvation will be one of the acts at Bangers Open Air 2027, bringing one of progressive metal's most respected and inventive bands to the festival. Formed in Eskilstuna, Sweden, and led by vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter Daniel Gildenlöw, the group has built an identity defined by combining heavy riffs, sophisticated melodies, shifts between intense passages and delicate moments, intricate vocal harmonies, syncopation, and polyrhythms, as well as fusing various styles with progressive metal. Because of this, since the beginning of their career, the band has also stood out for turning every album into a conceptual experience.

The journey began in 1984 when a teenage Gildenlöw founded the group, originally named Reality. In 1991, the name was changed to Pain of Salvation, launching the trajectory that would establish the band as a benchmark in progressive metal. Their debut album, "Entropia" (1997), drew attention for its structural variety and intricate arrangements, while "One Hour by the Concrete Lake" (1998) expanded their conceptual scope by addressing themes such as war, weapons, Indigenous peoples, and the environmental impact of nuclear waste.

Widespread acclaim came with albums such as "The Perfect Element, Part I" (2000) and "Remedy Lane" (2002)—the latter widely considered one of the defining milestones of their career, featuring a semi-autobiographical narrative exploring love, longing, and life. In 2004, the band released "BE," an ambitious concept album exploring God, humanity, and existence, originally staged with theatrical costumes, set pieces, projections, and an orchestra. Over the years, Pain of Salvation has maintained a drive to experiment and reinvent its sound, exploring new directions without losing its signature complexity.

Subsequent releases include "Scarsick" (2007), "Road Salt One" (2010), "Road Salt Two" (2011), "In the Passing Light of Day" (2017), and "Panther" (2020). The band's lyrics frequently deal with contemporary and existential issues, tackling sexuality, war, the environment, religion, society, and the human condition itself. This blend of virtuosity, emotion, and thematic depth has helped cement Pain of Salvation as one of the most original names in European progressive metal.

Pain of Salvation arrives at Bangers Open Air 2027 carrying a catalog defined by bold creativity, promising to deliver to the Brazilian audience all the intensity and complexity that built their international reputation. Alongside Daniel Gildenlöw, the current lineup features Johan Hallgren (guitar and vocals), Léo Margarit (drums), and Daniel Karlsson (keyboards and vocals).