PAIN OF SALVATION: 'BE' DVD Due In April

Swedish progressive metal band PAIN OF SALVATION have posted the following message on their official web site:

"And so, there is finally a time of release set for the long awaited 'BE' DVD. In the first days of April it will be available, just before the planned European tour.

"The DVD consists of the original stage production, which was filmed during one of the last performances. It was performed on a specially built stage, just for this occasion, and was quite impressive. People came from all corners of the world to see this unique show, and since it will never again be performed like this, the DVD offers the possibility to get at least a hint of how it was for all of those who never had a chance to see it.

"In addition to the show there is a pile of extra material like commentary tracks, slideshows, a bunch of messages to God (in addition to the ones in 'Vocari Dei') never heard before, and quite a lot of hidden features and Easter Eggs. Simply a must-have.

"PAIN OF SALVATION will finally go on a headline tour. As far as anybody knows at this point, the tour is planned to happen between mid April and early May. Being a European tour, it will stop by all 'the most typical European tour countries' as Daniel [Gildenlöw, vocals] puts it. Poland and Hungary are on top of the band's 'wanted' list since they have never played headline shows there.

"So, some time has passed since the release of 'BE' — by far the most ambitious and most thought-through work coming out of PAIN OF SALVATION this far. How was the reactions so far?

"Daniel: 'I must say I am positively surprised. I mean, this might sound a bit 'high horses' and all that, but I honestly didn't think people would be able to see the grandness of this album for at least a year. Our previous albums have taken quite some time for the press and fans to digest and we have experienced several times — a ridiculous amount of times as far as I can see compared to other bands — how professional press makes a revision of their first lukewarm review over a year later. And even with that knowledge we knew that this album was even more risky than the others. I was preparing for being torn to pieces and have our recognition for this piece of work two years from now at its earliest — and then, to our surprise, but according to our hopes of course, we get a lot of overwhelming response. Sure, there have been a few don't-get-its, but fewer than we thought.

"One thing that makes me happy is to see the female part of our fans grow with every album, that is almost unheard of in the male dominated genre of prog metal where we have been placed. Also, the age span of our fans is unbelievably wide. Now I only hope to see the Caucasian dominance challenged in the future. I am certain that our music has the potential to hit home in more places than you'd initially think.'"