I’m a huge long-time Pain of Salvation fan. Here’s my ranking of their 10 studio albums, from worst to best. Do you agree? Do you want to smack me? Just enjoy it, and make some money fly on my digital music or music merch if you wanna support me. Cheers!
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- Stefan Nordström
- Musician, songwriter, content creator, digital freelancer
- Stockholm, Sweden
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Full-length Pain of Salvation studio discography
Excluding “Falling Home” since it’s retakes of existing songs.
- “Entropia” (1997)
- “One Hour By the Concrete Lake” (1998)
- “The Perfect Element I” (2000)
- “Remedy Lane” (2002)
- “Be” (2004)
- “Scarsick” (2007)
- “Road Salt One” (2010)
- “In the Passing Light of Day” (2017)
- “Panther” (2020)
Pain of Salvation discography countdown
Let’s do this, from worst to best. I’ve relistened them all in 2025, and it’s been an interesting experience. The top 3 are in pretty much constant rotation for me, but the others certainly have their hits and wonderful moments.
10. “Be” (2004)
As impressively huge and ambitious “Be” is, it still mostly falls flat for me. It just gets too conceptual and out there, making me wish for more memorable songwriting and melodicism. I’m just not much of a rock opera guy, even when it’s good. The big takeaway from this album for me is “Iter Impius”, one of my favorite Pain of Salvation tracks, possibly even my #1.
Fav track(s): “Iter Impius”
9. “Scarsick” (2007)
Let’s make it clear: 2007 metal cool boi Stefan did NOT like this album. However, as my music taste got more varied, I’ve come to appreciate “Scarsick” more and more. Also, Daniel’s blunt, semi-juvenile delivery has grown on me, since I simply agree with what’s being said, especially in 2025. I quite enjoy the relentless experimentation, but the songwriting is just not firing on the level of their classics. Still firmly in the “good” category.
Fav track(s): “Scarsick” & “Enter Rain”
8. “Entropia” (1997)
Despite the band’s youth and inexperience, this album has aged quite well. There is already plenty of emotion, and the music is adventurous. The overindulgance can be a tad extreme (see “Stress”), but it’s obvious how much talent the band has. Also, it’s definitely too long at 70-ish minutes. Quite strong for a debut album, but the best is yet to come.
Fav track(s): “Oblivion Ocean”
7. “Road Salt Two” (2011)
So, another weirdo Pain of Salvation era album. Mega-hits on “Road Salt One” aside, I think this one has a cooler mood, but the hits still elevate number one a bit more. I enjoy this here and there, and it’s certainly musically wild, but I don’t come back to it often.
Fav track(s): “To the Shoreline”
6. “Road Salt One” (2010)
I don’t know, ehm. I can’t deny that I appreciate how wild and experimental this is. But for all the ups and downs, does it get anywhere? Well, yeah.. sometimes. I love both “Sisters” and “Road Salt” to bits, but those are also the songs where the band gets its shit together more and goes for a more streamlined songwriting formula with clear hooks.
Fav track(s): “Sisters” & “Road Salt”
5. “One Hour By the Concrete Lake” (1998)
Pain of Salvation bounced back fast after the debut, with an immediate follow-up in 1998, and it’s an ambitious one. Immediately when “Inside” hits, there is a noticeable growth from the debut. The mood is palpably darker, and the songs are less hyper in nature. Allowing the music to breathe is a big step towards the signature Pain of Salvation style. While definitely being a good album, I think that the last pieces of the sound finally come together on the next release.
Fav track(s): “The Big Machine”
4. “Remedy Lane” (2002)
I get the feeling that I don’t love this album quite as much as most Pain of Salvation fans. Don’t get me wrong, it’s great, but it definitely pales in comparison to my top 3. That said, “Beyond the Pale” is one of my favorite tracks, combining raw, visceral themes and epic prog perfectly.
Fav track(s): “Beyond the Pale” & “Undertow”
3. “In the Passing Light of Day” (2017)
Pain of Salvation’s return to epic progressive metal also saw me return as a fan around the release, after some years mostly cold to the band. “Meaningless” immediately caught me and remains an ear-worm and favorite to this day. The life/death themes certainly give this album for than enough emotional impact, and the epic opener and closer delivers it in mega format. The addition of Ragnar Zolberg obviously makes this album something different as well, and he’s definitely the secret sauce in many of the songs.
Fav track(s): “Meaningless” & “On a Tuesday”
2. “Panther” (2020)
Probably my most controversial Pain of Salvation album take, but hey, I absolutely love “Panther”. The neurodivergency theme grabs me, even though I know it can border on arrogance for some. Great songwriting across the board, and I appreciate the version. Lots of energetic, in-your-face tracks, but “Icon” and “Wait” provide well-needed emotional depths and epicness too. Just love this one. Not more to say, really.
Fav track(s): “Panther” & “Icon”
1. “The Perfect Element I” (2000)
This one, “Ashes” in particular” was my intro to the band back in the middle-ages. Revisiting it today with a greater musical understanding just makes it better than ever. It flows great and the balance between emotional impact and musical proficiency hits the spot. Insane vocal performance, cool themes, interesting lyrics. Near-perfect album that I’ll never get bored with.
Fav track(s): “Ashes” & “The Perfect Element”
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If you’re reading takes on the Pain of Salvation discography, you’re probably interested in dark Scandinavian music. How about checking out my progressive death/doom metal band Soliloquium? You might like it. It’s not Pain of Salvation, but it’s certainly dark and brooding. Thanks for your support!
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