Band:	Pain
Album:	You Only Live Twice
Style:	Gothic industrial metal
Release date:	June 03, 2011
Guest review by:	AnGina--

Disc I
01. Let Me Out
02. Feed The Demons
03. The Great Pretender
04. You Only Live Twice
05. Dirty Woman
06. We Want More
07. Leave Me Alone
08. Monster
09. Season Of The Reaper

Disc II [Limited edition]
01. Crawling Thru Bitterness [Unreleased 2011]
02. The Great Pretender [Millboy & Peka P Remix]
03. Dirty Woman [MC Raaka Pee Remix]
04. You Only Live Twice [Rectifier Remix]
05. Leave Me Alone [Rectifier Remix]
06. Eleanor Rigby [The Beatles cover] [Live at Sundown Festival, 2008]
07. Follow Me [Live in Brussels, 2009]
08. I Don't Care [Live at Raimsmes Festival, 2009]
09. Bitch [Live at Raismes Festival, 2009]

Welcome Painheads and enter another journey of luxurious music where Pain is pleasure. I believe there is no need to mention who the man behind the wheels (read: vocals, guitars, bass and keyboards) of Pain is. Peter Tägtgren released You Only Live Twice as Pain's 7th studio album which I admit, I awaited very anxiously for, since his previous work Cynic Paradise did not impress me as I hoped it would, as I found it too soft, even though I am very well aware that Pain doesn't deliver the most bone crushing sound and is more of Tägtgren's soft, melodic alter-ego. I was really hoping that its successor would bring something a bit more vigorous to Pain's discography and fortunately I wasn't wrong, even though I needed some time for this album to grow on me.

The sound of this album is a bit refreshing, even though the basic melodies are still driven by the generic Pain sound we are used to: very dense in electronics, which you will hear in ''The Great Pretender''. But Tägtgren took a step forward and upgraded it with some heavy riffing that gives this album an edge. Also, Peter's vocals are at his absolute best on this album, as he is flowing from clean singing to twisted screams and haunting whispers that almost slide into the realm of gothic music, that really complete the songs. And not only does he sound absolutely amazing, he also shows great control over his vocals, especially when he's instantly passing from one style to other. Just listen the heavy screaming on ''Let Me Out'' moving to ghastly vocals and the heavy riffing on ''Feed The Demons'', ''We Want More'' and ''Monster'' combined with his wretched screams, and you will taste the album's finest. Of course, this album would not be complete if Peter would not flirt with some slower sounds as well, so he gave us ''Season Of The Reaper'' and ''Leave Me Alone'' to taste a bit of everything. ''You Only Live Twice'' is my favourite track from the album, with its unique larger than life feel that is embodied in the sound of it.

Disc II then is just a special treat for all Painheads as it features one previously unreleased song ''Crawling Thru Bitterness'' and some remixes and live recordings. To be honest, I never really considered it as a part of the album, but as some extra bit of spice. There is no need to emphasize: the originals are superb to remixes. The live version of ''Follow Me'' and ''Eleanor Rigby'' are actually the only two tracks from this disc, which are really worth listening from time to time.

All in all, I cannot really say this album is the best thing that has ever happened to Pain, but it deserves to be presented proudly. Originality may not be its best quality, but it brings a fresh touch, heavier sound, wicked vocals and some diversity. So for those who still think Pain is just Tägtgren's bastard child, it is time to open your eyes and see he really did get his hands dirty with industrialism and there is no need to wash them.