A carreira de Kristoffer Gildenlöw, ex-baixista do Pain of Salvation, destaca-se pela busca de identidade própria, especialmente após seu desligamento da banda sueca fundada por seu irmão, Daniel Gildenlöw. Kristoffer contribuiu para os cinco primeiros álbuns do Pain of Salvation, incluindo os aclamados The Perfect Element - Part 1 (2000), Remedy Lane (2002) e Be (2004). Em 2005, porém, ele decidiu se mudar para a Holanda, o que impossibilitou sua participação nos ensaios do grupo, levando-o a se afastar da banda amigavelmente para focar em sua carreira solo.
Kristoffer tinha plena consciência do desafio de trilhar um caminho independente, longe da sombra de seu irmão, considerado por muitos como um gênio no universo do metal progressivo. Para se destacar, Kristoffer optou por criar um estilo musical distinto e que o afastasse do som de sua antiga banda. E tem conseguido, pois a cada álbum ele tem mostrado ser uma força independente dentro da música progressiva, com trabalhos consistentes e cheios de personalidade, com isso, Empty, seu novo álbum, não é diferente.
Em Empty, Kristoffer entrega uma coleção de músicas densas, comoventes e sombrias, que beiram o gótico, criando um álbum capaz de provocar uma gama de sensações no ouvinte. Quando questionado se o álbum seria conceitual, Kristoffer esclareceu que não escreve álbuns conceituais no sentido tradicional, com personagens e diálogos, mas sim uma exploração cética e cínica sobre a humanidade, vista sob três perspectivas: pessoal, global e espiritual, refletindo sobre o papel da humanidade no universo.
O álbum conta com uma vasta gama de músicos convidados, incluindo Dirk Bruinenberg, Jeroen Molenaar e Joris Lindner na bateria; Ola Sjönneby nos metais; Ben Mathot no violino; Anne Bakker no violino e viola; Maaike Peterse no violoncelo; e Jan Willem Ketelaers e Erna Auf der Haar nos vocais de apoio. O álbum também apresenta três guitarristas talentosos, Paul Coenradie, Marcel Singor e Patrick Drabe, que se revezam nos solos, contribuindo para os momentos mais belos do disco.
A abertura, "Time To Turn The Page", inicia com notas de guitarra que evocam um Dire Straits, mas soando de forma sombria e melancólica. A faixa evolui para um segmento mais pesado e que é liderado por um solo de guitarra impressionante, enquanto baixo, bateria e órgão criam uma atmosfera expansiva. Em "End Of Their Road", o destaque inicial vai para o belíssimo violino e os vocais equilibrados que ganham intensidade com a entrada da bateria, culminando em um solo de guitarra que eleva e edifica a peça. "Harbinger Of Sorrow" começa com um piano melancólico e um baixo sussurrante, crescendo gradualmente em intensidade. Já "He's Not Me" evoca uma atmosfera floydiana, especialmente nas linhas de guitarra, lembrando "Breathe", com uma sonoridade atmosférica e psicodélica. "Black & White" mantém o humor sombrio, com solos de guitarra dramáticos e densos, enquanto. "Down We Go" entrega uma vibração espacial que se intensifica com um dos solos de guitarra mais belos do álbum.
"Turn It All Around" possui uma forte veia orquestral, com vocais angustiantes e uma guitarra que pinta as paredes da música com as cores escuras que o álbum demanda. "Means To An End" alterna entre momentos orquestrais e um solo de guitarra impressionante. "Beautiful Decay" destaca a harmonia entre piano e violão, criando uma base confortável para os vocais expressivos de Kristoffer, enquanto. The Brittle Man é a faixa mais curta do disco, com uma sonoridade serena e sensível, além de uma sutil intervenção de piano. Saturated se destaca por sua vibração mais animada, sem comprometer a coerência do disco, com backing vocals e sintetizadores excelentes. Por fim, a faixa-título "Empty" encerra o álbum de maneira apoteótica. Com quase 10 minutos de duração, a música começa de forma introspectiva e sombria, evoluindo para um clímax onde um solo de guitarra emerge como uma libertação, encerrando o álbum de forma épica.
Empty não é um disco que se revela de forma instantânea. Suas camadas profundas exigem atenção e comprometimento do ouvinte para que todos os detalhes e temas significativos sejam plenamente apreciados. Kristoffer Gildenlöw demonstra, mais uma vez, ser uma força singular na música progressiva, criando um álbum que desafia e recompensa o ouvinte atento.
================================Kristoffer Gildenlöw's career, the former bassist of Pain of Salvation, is marked by his quest for a unique identity, especially after his departure from the Swedish band founded by his brother, Daniel Gildenlöw. Kristoffer contributed to the first five Pain of Salvation albums, including the acclaimed The Perfect Element - Part 1 (2000), Remedy Lane (2002), and Be (2004). However, in 2005, he decided to move to the Netherlands, which made it impossible for him to participate in the band's rehearsals, leading him to amicably leave the group to focus on his solo career.
Kristoffer was fully aware of the challenge of forging an independent path, away from the shadow of his brother, who many consider a genius in the progressive metal world. To stand out, Kristoffer chose to create a distinct musical style that set him apart from the sound of his former band. And he has succeeded, as with each album, he has shown himself to be an independent force within progressive music, with consistent and personality-filled works. In this light, Empty, his new album, is no exception.
In Empty, Kristoffer delivers a collection of dense, moving, and dark songs that border on the gothic, creating an album capable of evoking a wide range of emotions in the listener. When asked if the album would be conceptual, Kristoffer clarified that he doesn't write conceptual albums in the traditional sense, with characters and dialogues, but rather a skeptical and cynical exploration of humanity viewed from three perspectives: personal, global, and spiritual, reflecting on humanity's role in the universe.
The album features a wide range of guest musicians, including Dirk Bruinenberg, Jeroen Molenaar, and Joris Lindner on drums; Ola Sjönneby on brass; Ben Mathot on violin; Anne Bakker on violin and viola; Maaike Peterse on cello; and Jan Willem Ketelaers and Erna Auf der Haar on backing vocals. The album also features three talented guitarists, Paul Coenradie, Marcel Singor and Patrick Drabe, who take turns on solos, contributing to some of the album's most beautiful moments.
The opener, "Time To Turn The Page," begins with guitar notes that evoke Dire Straits, but with a dark and melancholic tone. The track evolves into a heavier segment led by an impressive guitar solo, while bass, drums, and organ create an expansive atmosphere. In "End Of Their Road," the initial highlight is the beautiful violin and the balanced vocals that gain intensity with the entrance of the drums, culminating in a guitar solo that elevates and edifies the piece. "Harbinger Of Sorrow" begins with a melancholic piano and a whispering bass, gradually growing in intensity. "He's Not Me" evokes a Floydian atmosphere, especially in the guitar lines, reminiscent of "Breathe," with an atmospheric and psychedelic sound. "Black & White" maintains the dark mood, with dramatic and dense guitar solos, while "Down We Go" delivers a spatial vibe that intensifies with one of the most beautiful guitar solos on the album.
"Turn It All Around" has a strong orchestral vein, with anguished vocals and a guitar that paints the music's walls with the dark colors the album demands. "Means To An End" alternates between orchestral moments and an impressive guitar solo. "Beautiful Decay" highlights the harmony between piano and guitar, creating a comfortable base for Kristoffer's expressive vocals, while "The Brittle Man" is the shortest track on the album, with a serene and sensitive sound, complemented by a subtle piano intervention. "Saturated" stands out for its more upbeat vibe, without compromising the album's coherence, with excellent backing vocals and synthesizers. Finally, the title track "Empty" closes the album in an apotheotic manner. Lasting almost 10 minutes, the song begins introspective and dark, evolving into a climax where a guitar solo emerges as a release, ending the album in an epic way.
Empty is not an album that reveals itself instantly. Its deep layers require attention and commitment from the listener for all the details and significant themes to be fully appreciated. Kristoffer Gildenlöw once again demonstrates that he is a singular force in progressive music, creating an album that challenges and rewards the attentive listener.
NOTA: 8/10
Tracks Listing
1. Time to Turn the Page (3:35)
2. End of Their Road (4:37)
3. Harbinger of Sorrow (4:29)
4. He's Not Me (5:56)
5. Black & White (5:24)
6. Down We Go (7:33)
7. Turn It All Around (3:15)
8. Means to an End (4:04)
9. Beautiful Decay (4:02)
10. The Brittle Man (2:29)
11. Saturated (4:58)
12. Empty (9:53)
Ouça, "Down We Go"
Kristoffer Gildenlöw's career, the former bassist of Pain of Salvation, is marked by his quest for a unique identity, especially after his departure from the Swedish band founded by his brother, Daniel Gildenlöw. Kristoffer contributed to the first five Pain of Salvation albums, including the acclaimed The Perfect Element - Part 1 (2000), Remedy Lane (2002), and Be (2004). However, in 2005, he decided to move to the Netherlands, which made it impossible for him to participate in the band's rehearsals, leading him to amicably leave the group to focus on his solo career.
Kristoffer was fully aware of the challenge of forging an independent path, away from the shadow of his brother, who many consider a genius in the progressive metal world. To stand out, Kristoffer chose to create a distinct musical style that set him apart from the sound of his former band. And he has succeeded, as with each album, he has shown himself to be an independent force within progressive music, with consistent and personality-filled works. In this light, Empty, his new album, is no exception.
In Empty, Kristoffer delivers a collection of dense, moving, and dark songs that border on the gothic, creating an album capable of evoking a wide range of emotions in the listener. When asked if the album would be conceptual, Kristoffer clarified that he doesn't write conceptual albums in the traditional sense, with characters and dialogues, but rather a skeptical and cynical exploration of humanity viewed from three perspectives: personal, global, and spiritual, reflecting on humanity's role in the universe.
The album features a wide range of guest musicians, including Dirk Bruinenberg, Jeroen Molenaar, and Joris Lindner on drums; Ola Sjönneby on brass; Ben Mathot on violin; Anne Bakker on violin and viola; Maaike Peterse on cello; and Jan Willem Ketelaers and Erna Auf der Haar on backing vocals. The album also features three talented guitarists, Paul Coenradie, Marcel Singor and Patrick Drabe, who take turns on solos, contributing to some of the album's most beautiful moments.
The opener, "Time To Turn The Page," begins with guitar notes that evoke Dire Straits, but with a dark and melancholic tone. The track evolves into a heavier segment led by an impressive guitar solo, while bass, drums, and organ create an expansive atmosphere. In "End Of Their Road," the initial highlight is the beautiful violin and the balanced vocals that gain intensity with the entrance of the drums, culminating in a guitar solo that elevates and edifies the piece. "Harbinger Of Sorrow" begins with a melancholic piano and a whispering bass, gradually growing in intensity. "He's Not Me" evokes a Floydian atmosphere, especially in the guitar lines, reminiscent of "Breathe," with an atmospheric and psychedelic sound. "Black & White" maintains the dark mood, with dramatic and dense guitar solos, while "Down We Go" delivers a spatial vibe that intensifies with one of the most beautiful guitar solos on the album.
"Turn It All Around" has a strong orchestral vein, with anguished vocals and a guitar that paints the music's walls with the dark colors the album demands. "Means To An End" alternates between orchestral moments and an impressive guitar solo. "Beautiful Decay" highlights the harmony between piano and guitar, creating a comfortable base for Kristoffer's expressive vocals, while "The Brittle Man" is the shortest track on the album, with a serene and sensitive sound, complemented by a subtle piano intervention. "Saturated" stands out for its more upbeat vibe, without compromising the album's coherence, with excellent backing vocals and synthesizers. Finally, the title track "Empty" closes the album in an apotheotic manner. Lasting almost 10 minutes, the song begins introspective and dark, evolving into a climax where a guitar solo emerges as a release, ending the album in an epic way.
Empty is not an album that reveals itself instantly. Its deep layers require attention and commitment from the listener for all the details and significant themes to be fully appreciated. Kristoffer Gildenlöw once again demonstrates that he is a singular force in progressive music, creating an album that challenges and rewards the attentive listener.
NOTA: 8/10
Tracks Listing
1. Time to Turn the Page (3:35)
2. End of Their Road (4:37)
3. Harbinger of Sorrow (4:29)
4. He's Not Me (5:56)
5. Black & White (5:24)
6. Down We Go (7:33)
7. Turn It All Around (3:15)
8. Means to an End (4:04)
9. Beautiful Decay (4:02)
10. The Brittle Man (2:29)
11. Saturated (4:58)
12. Empty (9:53)
Ouça, "Down We Go"
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