The Outsiders
It’s been three years since they released the powerful In The Passing Light Of Day, and Pain Of Salvation are ready to push boundaries with their bold new record, Panther. Frontman Daniel Gildenlöw opens up about the creation of a concept album that tackles mental health issues and being an outsider.
Words: Holly Wright Images: Lars Ardarve
Roar and untamed: Pain Of Salvation.
“I always found it weird to fit into a world that to me didn’t really make sense.”
W riting music for the misunderstood is not exactly new. Emo was built on the chagrin of the disaffected youth and The Smiths’ enduring How Soon Is Now? is still an anthem for social anxiety. But this is 2020 and Pain Of Salvation are not flannel-wearing, shoegazing misfits hooked on teenage angst, and their frontman has a very good reason for dedicating his latest album, Panther, to “the outsiders”.
Daniel Gildenlöw was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult. By his own admission he’s felt like an outsider since he was school age but getting older and having responsibilities – in particular three children, including one with Down’s Syndrome and autism – made living with the disorder unmanageable to the point that he felt no choice but to get tested.