Obviously, everyone knows that I love Dream Theater... But, this band is probably the closest band that is probably as original and fantastic as they are. They are called Pain of Salvation, and is a Swedish Prog Metal band. Their albums are primarily concept albums (i.e. Operation Mindcrime by Queensryche, Scenes From a Memory by Dream Theater, etc...).

These are the albums they have released:

1. Entropia
2. One Hour By the Concrete Lake
3. Remedy Lane
4. The Perfect Element Pt. 1
5. 12:5 (live)
6. Be

To fully appreciate them, I think it would be prudent to d/l and/or buy by the album, not by the song. Concrete Lake, Remedy Lane, and Perfect Element are probably their best. Be and Entropia are a bit mediocre as compared to those three, but are great in their own rights.

Anyways, anyone who is a fan of progressive metal and bands like Dream Theater, Opeth, and Porcupine Tree should check these guys out if you haven't already.

I've only got The Perfect Element Pt. 1 at the moment and I think that it's a bloody solid album. Very good album I must say. Top quality progressive metal.

Only recently have I heard of Pain of Salvation. I admit, the curiosity bug's been burrowing into my brain, so if there's one album that could be suggested as a potential introduction to the band, what might it be?

Victor, for something more progressive I'd go with One Hour By the Concrete Lake, or The Perfect Element Part 1

For something a bit more straight up, I'd go with Remedy Lane

For something a bit more experimental, I'd go with Be...

Remedy Lane, One Hour By the Concrete lake, and Perfect Element are their best three though. Any of those would be adequate choices.

Ah, thanks for the suggestions! I'll check into them, soon.

Sounds interesting. Will download now.

Thanks for the reccomendation

I'm interested. Also, as for DT, can you tell me which songs these are - http://youtube.com/watch?v=6Gv93EskM5U

The reason I don't listen to DT is because whenever I've checked them out I always hear things I don't like, but the parts that dude are playing to sound pretty cool so perhaps it's just a matter of listening to the right songs, and/or being more patient. The part at 2:50 in is the sort of thing they do I can't get into though.

I like to listen to this band while playin Final Fantasy II (just seems to suit).

I downloaded all thier albums, but have only listened to one (One Hour By the Concrete Lake) so far.

They're a good band judging by this album though.

Ktulu: It's medley of the following:

The Test That STumped Them All
This Dying Soul
The Dance of Eternity
Endless Sacrifice
Paradigm Shift (Liquid Tension Experiment)
Solitary Shell, I believe...