it was announced just moments ago that Pain Of Salvation’s guitarist and backing vocalist has decided to leave the band. The Band’s latest album “In The Passing Light Of Day” has been the collaborative effort of both Pain Of Salvation’s frontman- Daniel Gildenlow and Zolberg. But there seemed to be some kind of disagreements about the way they worked together- today, he released the following statement:
“I quit Pain of Salvation in 2013 after having been in the band for 1 year only. It was nothing like what I had expected and I had come to understand why some members before me had also left. At that time Roger stepped in and did the acoustic tour in which he did a very good job!
About one year later I was asked to do one more gig, prognation at sea, I agreed. When I showed up for rehearsals Daniel had been hospitalised and asked me to fill in his shoes for the show, after he got better he asked me to join the band again and write the next album with him. I love to make albums so I decided to stick around a little longer.
Recently, with our album In the Passing Light of Day the band has been doing considerably better. An album which Daniel and I wrote together during a 2 year time period and I also lent some of my previous compositions to it. With a lot of dedication, sacrifices and help from various people we managed to go from almost being dropped from the record label to selling a descent amount of albums and playing to sold out shows. Something that I am very proud of and obviously very grateful for the love shown to us by the kind people attending our shows.
I have had a great time with my friends Gustaf Hielm, Daniel Karlsson and Léo Margarit. I am going to miss hanging out with them as much, they are the biggest reason I managed to stay all this time. 
<3
As it turned out, everybody worked on the album as a team, but as soon as our album was finished last year, the band leader started acting in a very similar manner as what we have been seeing of the band Ghost recently. It was clear that this was not “our” album anymore, but his. I got payed a small amount of 1000 euros for my work for those 2 years, that did not even cover my travel expenses.
Although PoS have now been doing quite good business wise, being in this band has been bad business from the beginning and has cost way more than what I’ve had in return, both mentally and economically. Minimum wage is not to be expected when you play to sold out shows and full venues at our standards. Neither is pessimism and criticism after almost every gig.
I have spoken my mind about all of this while still doing what I could to keep a professional relation towards everything, after all it is also my music that we have been playing and I have wanted everything to go as smoothly as possible despite the unjust treatment I have faced.
Instead of making amends, offering better salary or even giving credit where it’s due I was instead asked by Daniel to leave the band yesterday.
I am happy for everything I have learned in the recent years and the people I have gotten to know through this adventure and I am also very happy to be moving on. One thing that I have learned and think should be kept in mind is: Never take credit for others peoples work, that’s just not nice and extremely disrespectful.
Thank you!”
Great news! I just couldn’t stand his godawful singing and drag queen style. Good Riddance!
Really??
He just told us how unfair and “star” Daniel become and you are focus on Ragnar’s voice??
Daniel made the opposite of everything he always teach and wrote in his liricys.
This is the sad.
Well, you can’t judge Daniel just by hearing one side of the story. There is way more stuff that goes on behind the scenes than what meets the eye. Being a band leader and running a band for almost 30 years is not an easy task especially when not everyone is as invested into the band as you are. So please don’t jump to conclusions and cut Daniel some slack. Let’s hope that both Ragnar and Daniel continue to have great careers ahead 🙂
Well, in fact, yes, I do concentrate on his impact on the band. And it’s my opinion that it was beyond bad. His songs that people mention are but strophe-strophe-chorus-strophe-strophe-bridge-chorus pop format, and yes, I do dislike them, as I dislike his screechy voice. Remember him butchering Undertow or Chainsling live? I do. And that’s why this is a relief for me… No more pop sounding emo diva on stage. And about Ragnar’s claims – those are but claims, you’ve heard just one side of the story – And isn’t it strange that none of the other members stepped in to defend Ragnar from that “unfair treatment?” Instead, they all sided with Gildenlow and stayed in band, warmly welcoming Johan back, the same day that Ragnar’s rant went public? So I guess there’s more to it than Ragnar’s sniveling – My best guess is that he tried to create some kind of coup in band, to become a new frontman – And Daniel just shown him his place, and that is – out of the band, able to do whatever he likes.
Title is in error since reading the post he was actually kicked out of the band.
“Instead of making amends, offering better salary or even giving credit where it’s due I was instead asked by Daniel to leave the band yesterday.”
Indeed.
The press should focus less in the “surface news” and focus more in the reality.
Daniel was unfais not just with Ragnar, but also with people ws working with him. I was one…I can tell you. He became another “music star” without comum sense of value and respect.
Aaahhwww nooooooo!!!!!
So sad to see him go.
Brilliant artist and was fantastic addition to PoS.
Begh really thought they would be on tje right track with this band but this is just bad news 🙁
Like him or not… if this is true, it’s really disrespectful!!! I was always asking myself why Daniel didn’t mention Ragnar’s songs and his work on the album in interviews or even in the CD booklet (here only in the back)… now it all makes sense! What a shame! This leaves a very bad taste to one of the best shows me and my boyfriend saw this year and on one of the best albums we came across lately! Hope to hear from Ragnar again very soon!!!
Hope to see and hear from Ragnar soon. In The Passing Light Of Day is way better than rest of the PoS earlier work and without Ragnar this would not be possible. Good luck Ragnar.
It’s good to have Johan back. But why did he leave in the first place? But I’m deeply saddened by the loss of Ragnor. I thought he was a fantastic foil for Daniel. They seemed to work so well together. Clearly things behind the scenes were a lot different.
Well this shines a whole other light on POS and especially Daniel. He is beyond talented and I love what he is capable of creating, but to steal from another artist, not give any credit, not pay them the salary they are due is completely utterly repulsive. F*ck you Daniel. I lost all respect for you.
As a person I go above my own means to treat other humans in a respectful manner. Fairness and justice mean a lot to me. I also am shocked that someone from Sweden were social welfare and unions are so highly revered can act in this atrocious way. At least pay him his rightful wage for f*cks sake.
I for one am sad to see Ragnar go as he was a great addition to this great band with his many facets and great talent. I also hope that he chooses to take this to court. No one should accept this form of treatment.
Oh my godness! U hear one side of the story and suddenly Daniel is all shit! U´ve absolutley no idea what´s behind the curtain, yet u jump to the front screaming….burn burn burn! “Fairness and justice mean a lot to me”…guess em old puritans used to say something like that, which means…u have no f*****g clue but a good old barbeque will always get ur vote. Ur not a true fan of POS…u just like a nice barbeque once in awhile, no matter who´s getting fried
Ragnar was indeed a great addition and hopefully the bad words about the band leader are not true. If they are then shame on Daniel, he must then have lost his mind during the operation or something. What’s the story, Daniel?!
People, do you really find out only now that Daniel is a total megalomaniac ?
I love his music and singing and will always keep on being a fan of PoS, no doubt, but… Have you only see is Facebook page ? Or the booklet of In The Passing Light of Day ? (the man is half naked while running, every muscles flexed…) It’s a big ego trip : Me, Myself and I.
Hopefully, it’s is music we listen to and his personality should not stand in the way.
Maybe Ragnar is a bit hard on this but please, people, open your eyes ! (And remember Daniel Magdic)