HEAVENLY ECSTASY

Good prog metal! The first thing that caught my attention on this album was the cover, but not the cover itself, but the fact that it is the first Pagan's Mind cover art without the blue color on it; now it is red, don't really know the motif but it looks like a fresh and new direction.

Pagan's Mind are a well-known (can be better known, actually) progressive metal band from Norway; they started at the beginning of this century and have been together for more than ten years so far. "Heavenly Ecstasy" released this 2011 is their fifth studio album, featuring eleven compositions that make a total time of 56 minutes.

It kicks off with "Contact", a one-minute introduction that serves as the first contact (pun intended) with the band. There are some noises that gradually progress until ""Eyes of Fire" begins. This is a cool first (full) song, I like the keyboard introduction and the power the music shares. Later it slows down, changes direction and vocals appear. Then the song repeats itself until it finishes.

"Intermission" does not really attract me. It reminds me to some power metal bands whose sound may be plain and easy to dig, I don't think this is Pagan's Mind's goal, but nonetheless anyone who likes that type of metal will surely like this. "Into the Aftermath" has a cool repetitive sound; the line is actually the same but this time the song is powerful and creates that sense of power to the listener, me in this case. The vocals are pretty good, but when the singer screams it loses its beauty; the drums always accurate and there is a cool guitar work. I like the change of direction at two and a half minutes, that moment when keyboards appear and give entrance a great solo. Later it slows down, and the music is being rebuilt. Cool track.

"Walk Away in Silence" is another catchy song, here I would not categorize it as a true metal song, I would say it is a hard rock one. There is a nice guitar solo after four minutes, the rhythm is slower than the previous songs, but the power is still present. Reminds me to some 80s bands, honestly.

"Revelation to the End" is the longest composition here, reaching almost nine minutes, and I dare say this is their most ambitious track. What I like here is the intercalation of long instrumental passages with great guitar riffs, and those passages with vocals, creating a equality in the sound and in the division of the song. One can also appreciate the mixture of that power metal sound, with progressive metal, with hard rock. I know this "labeling" thing may not help a lot, but I can distinguish its different moments.

"Follow Your Way" has a pretty good keyboard beginning, then a raw and strong bass and guitar sound appears for some seconds, just before the vocals enter and create new nuances. This is a very good track, well elaborated with nice colors and textures created mainly by keyboards, but well, in this metal realm what rules is the guitar, so go figure. "Live Your Life Like A Dream" has a kind of positive vibe, I mean one can read the title and imagine things, and the music helps creating that complicity. However, maybe the kindness (figurative sense) of this song would make you feel bored and even disappointed.

I like that a song like this was included in the album, the sound is different from the previous tracks, but I don't really think it loses that Pagan's Mind sound (at least not at all). With "The Master's Voice" the music returns to its original form, creating those powerful passages that gives the listener a sensation of triumph and power. The guitar riffs are pretty cool, the drums fast and vocals go always with the flow and help the music being more successful. Now another contrast comes with "When Angels Unite", a two-minute ballad that honestly is horrible, sorry.

The album ends with "Never Walk Alone". A nice track that may define Pagan's Mind style, the guitar riffs are nice, but here I miss more keyboard work. This is a good album. As you know, metal is not my preferred cup of tea, however I do enjoy it when it is well done. Pagan's Mind is a cool band that has a lot to offer, but I believe this album leaves us with some things to be desired. My final grade will be 3 stars.

Enjoy it!