CELESTIAL ENTRANCE

Quite highly regarded album looking at the other reviews and that I can understand to some extent.Certainly its extremely polished and well played.Not too much in your face for power metal this is quite palatable for someone like me who's not really a big prog metal fan.For me selected Dream Theater and Iron Maiden albums like Awake and Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son are as good as it gets.By comparison this falls short of both of those not having either the quality songs of DT or the amazing playing of Maiden.Its still good though and in the right mood I can stick this on the CD player loud and get some enjoyment.Probably a good one for the headphones and there are some very nice synth solos.3.75 stars.

Man, this band is one of the most compact and solid bands i ever heared in the last 5 years. It realy deserve a listen from you. A powerfull album with outstanding keys. One of the gems in prog/power.Great album!! Pagan's Mind have found a unique sound between prog metal and power metal. This is a must have for prog metal fans. Absolutely every track is good produced and well played. The instrumental track called Back to the magic of childhood Part 2: exploring life, is beyond ear candy, super well played by this scandinavians. If you enjoy bands like Beyond Twilight, Symphony X, Andromeda, this is one of the best you find in power/prog scene. 5 stars for sure, and one of the best prog metal albums in the last years, recommended.

Superbly performed power-metal loaded with big arrangements, virtuosic playing, high-pitched, soaring vocals and all the sci- fi/fantasy campiness indicative of the genre-- "Celestial Entrance" will please fans of all the popular prog-metal groups (like Dream Theater, Symphony X, etc.) as well as fans of that Sci-fi Channel show, "Star Gate SG-1".

Joking aside, I admit that "Celestial Entrance" is quite enjoyable; it has powerful opening numbers, great laying across the board and lyrics which (might) be tongue-in-cheek, depending on where the listener is coming from. Lead guitar and vocals steal the show, but the keys and rhythm section are no slouches either.

I've found myself returning to this album dozens of times, and with each listen I am still impressed by the phenomenal playing and energy displayed throughout. The intense, epic songwriting and energizing performances never fail to entertain. So, while somewhat derivative, "Celestial Entrance" scores big marks for me with its explosive enthisiasm. A must-have within a genre of sound-alikes.

Songwriting: 4 Instrumental Performances: 5 Lyrics/Vocals: 4 Style/Emotion/Replay: 5

The Scandinavian prog metal school is back.PAGANS MIND is a band heavily influenced by bands like SYMPHONY X and STRATOVARIUS.A great mix of the progressivce metal complexity and technique with the orchestral parts and the speed of the neo- classical power metal.Prog/power metal at its best.You won't regret your money for sure!4 stars!

Heavy but melodic progressive metal from Norway ...

I have heard this band from my colleague metal heads couple of years ago but I only got a chance to enjoy this album just recently - couple of months ago. The first spin of the "Celestial Entrance" album, it gave me a sense of energy and high motivation as the music was more on heavy riffs and good song melody. The composition was quite tight and the music vein reminded me the kind like ADAGIO, SONATA ARCTICA, STRATOVARIOUS even though each band has its own characteristic. It did not blow me away but I knew that it's a good music. But I din not re-spin the album as I thought there were bunch of groups with similar vein, so why bother listening some more. Time went by and I bombarded my ears with various kinds of prog music from The Flower Kings, Riverside, Radiohead, Sylvan, Pure Reason Revolution and finally I landed back to this album. I find interesting about this album and the more I spin, it grew on me. I started enjoying the pulsating keyboard solo coming out from some of the tracks.

The album starts with an opener "Approaching" which in most cases of power metal album it serves like an overture, typically instrumental, that sets the overall tone of the album. For this purpose, "Approaching" does its role quite well. The firs half portion of the opening is basically setting an ambient and the last half is a heavy riff music that flows beautifully and brings forward to the "body" of the album which starts with "Through Osiris' eyes" (6:09). This second start showcases how tight the composition is, heavily dominated by heavy guitar riffs and melodies during breaks and powerful vocal line by Nils K Rue. Keyboard, played by Ronny Tegner, is an important contributor in providing inventive fills. From this track one can sense how the music of Pagan's Mind is full with energy and is able to uplift emotional feelings.

The following track "Entrances: stargate" (6:01) kicks off with another heavy guitar riffs as main rhythm section followed with floating bass lines to accompany break and let the vocal rolls in. The kind of bass work is the similar with the second track and the band replicates this style over. Again, lead vocal is really powerful. This track has keyboard works at back ground that projects a symphonic nuance. Bass guitar serves as main rhythm section throughout the song. The guitar solo by Jørn Viggo Lofstad is stunning. The saga continues with a spiritual journey to ". ... of Epic Questions" (6:10) which gives as a piece of music that flows with its dynamics, providing hard beats and breaks. It starts differently from other previous tracks where keyboard plays with long sustain mode followed with heavy riffs music in instrumental mode followed by growling and regular singing line. It's quite dynamics in terms of flow and mode.

"Dimensions of Fire" (7:29) enters with heavy riffs but in slower tempo, using bass lines as main rhythm section - providing a sort of break as well before it lets the lead vocal enters. This song gives us some break having been so tense with heavy rhythm music. The key strength of this song is on its powerful voice and good music composition that accompanies. The insertion of growling vocal in some transitions has made the music much enjoyable. The guitar solo is stunning. "Dreamscape lucidity" (6:40) brings the music back to faster tempo but it still maintaining the good harmony and melody. "Back to the magic of childhood" Part 1 and 2 is interesting music journey backed with excellent composition in terms of structure as well as arrangement. The opening part with acoustic guitar work is really stunning. Through this composition the band has demonstrated its ability to compose a complex progressive metal music evn though the influence from Dream Theater is quite obvious. The heavy riffs are really catchy and enjoyable.

"Aegean shores" (5:14) brings the music fast as well as heavy with good melody and tight composition. The concluding track "The prophecy of Pleiades" (9:53) is like an epic with its long duration as well as conceptual lyrics. The music flows in its dynamics with various styles starting with low register notes and move in varied moods from one segment to another. The keyboard solo is truly stunning.

Overall, this is a solid and tight composition that flows wonderfully from one song to another with its consistent delivery. The beauty of this album lies on its powerful vocal, compact and solid composition, excellent flow which gives balanced styles from solid stream of music and multiple breaks. For those of you who have been a fan of progressive metal or power metal, this is a MUST. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

Just a huge pile of the same OR Why is Dream Theater calling itself Pagan's Mind?

I gotta say that, when i bought this album, about a year or two ago, i was still discovering a lot of new bands to hear, new sounds, interesting things to grow as a young progger in the search for its own tastes and preferences in his new-found passion. As i was rather inexperienced and unable to relate music very well, most things that, back then, sounded new and fresh, now sound uninspired, derivative and rather boring and dull, now that i have put them in perspective.

This very album is a very vivid example of such thing. When i acquired it, it sounded rather unique, inspired and exciting, but i have put it aside for a wile and, when i listened it again this week and even now as i write this very review, i realized that i have done a terrible mistake. First off, this band sounds dangerously like Dream Theater, but with a melodic metal twist, meaning that they took (almost copied in some parts) what was great in Dream Theater and added some freaking boring melodic metal and ruined it all. Hell, their vocalist sucks as much or even more than LaBrie (what, lets face it, is quite an accomplishment) and they use the exact same letter type in their name as Dream Theater.

However, i have said before that i don't mind bands that look alike, unless there are clear signs of of derivation, and that is exactly what we have here, specially in the two opening tracks, which sound almost exactly like the tracks Overture 1928 and Strange Deja Vu (from Dream Theater album Scenes From a Memory: Metropolis part 2) and the ending of the second track, that sound just like the ending of Surrounded (from the Dream Theater album images and Words). Besides that, this album sounds A LOT like DT's and Queensrÿche music.

Despite all that resemblance, this album is not completely worthless. The two opening tracks are actually quite good (probably because they sound like a good band's music, but anyway. . .), the Back to the Magic of Childhood suite is also very good, being probably the best part of the album, though it sounds like Strange Deja Vu towards the end, and the last song closes the album better than it is opened, with actually some originality. The ending part of the album is actually the good one, because most of the initial part of this album is a bunch of melodic metal songs that look prog, what is very boring.

Grade and Final Thoughts

Well, this band seems to have s lot of potential, but they will not accomplish that potential copying other bands, and this album shows that quite well. This is a good album, but looks like being another person's work instead of something this band would do. Because of that, 2 stars.

4.5 stars. PAGAN'S MIND are picking up where fellow Norwegians CONCEPTION left off. This borders on Power- Metal at times but really this is heavy, melodic and powerful Prog-Metal. The singer Nils K Rue is unbelievable, he's got great range and his voice is easy on the ears. What a talent ! Twin lead guitarists here although sadly Thorstein Aaby passed away at 35 years of age after a lengthy illness back in 2007. The synths are excellent and often in the background. I have to mention how good this album sounds.The production and sound quality are perfect.This is partly a concept album inspired by the theories of Erich Von Daniken.

"Approaching" opens the album with lots of cool sounding atmosphere. Here we go 1 1/2 minutes in ! A killer soundscape come crashing in. It blends into "Through Osiris Eyes" which is very crunchy with synths as vocals come in for the first time. His vocals border on growls at times as he spits out the words in anger. Mostly though they are simply strong and powerful. Check out the guitar solo after 3 minutes.This is one of my top 3 tracks and maybe the best track on here. Incredible ! "Entrance:Stargate" opens with fast paced riffs before it settles with synths and some deep bass, then vocals before a minute. Heaviness comes and goes. What a great singer this guy is ! Themes are repeated. I like the calm 4 minutes in, and it ends with some intensity. "...Of Epic Questions" opens with synths as the heaviness arrives and the tempo picks up. Very heavy sound before the vocals come in. Deep spoken words come and go on this one. Double bass drumming is all over this tune. Keyboard flurries after 3 1/2 minutes.The vocal melodies that come and go are so good.

"Dimensions Of Fire" is heavy duty to start out but it settles when the vocals come in. The contrast continues throughout. This is so uplifting at times. Some evil sounding vocals followed by double bass drumming after 4 1/2 minutes. Nice guitar solo follows then synths. It ends as it began. "Dreamscape Lucidity" builds quickly and the double bass drumming sounds like a stampede, then a guitar melody comes in. Vocals are next in this uptempo barn-burner. Love his vocals. Check him out 4 1/2 minutes in especially.The tempo continues to shift in this one. Fantastic tune ! "The Seven Sacred Promises" is another top 3 track for me. Mainly because this song really reminds me of FATES WARNING, especially the guitar that grinds away like Jim Matheos does it. What a feel good song this is. Some thunder 3 minutes in with a ripping guitar solo to follow. "Back To the Miracle Of Childhood" is a two part instrumental that is my fourth favourite track. Simply gorgeous acoustic guitar to open. Electric guitar comes in after a minute with drums as it builds. Great sound ! Some riffs late which continue into part two. The second part is over 9 minutes of heavy and light instrumental work with synths as well. "In Brilliant White Light" is a ballad-like tune with piano, synths and almost spoken vocals. Yikes !

"Aegean Shores" is a good uptempo track with heavy drums. Check out the guitar after 3 minutes followed by a synth solo. Another uplifting track. "The Prophesy Of Pleiades" is the other top 3 song for me. So yes it ends in style. Experimental and spacey intro gives way to heavy and slow riffs a minute in. Vocals a minute later, they will eventually soar after 3 minutes.The heaviness comes and goes.Themes are repeated. Love the background synths too.

If you like heavy and melodic Prog-Metal this is essential.

Stimulating music. Wonderful journey.

The Prog Metal scene is now saturated by many clone bands of Dream Theater and Symphony X, which can be a little disappointing but at the end, there are really good bands that shines on the shadows of those other great bands. Pagan's Mind is maybe the best example of a derivate band with it's own talent.

This was the third album I have the chance to hear of them and was a wonderful experience to hear the freshness of their performance, the talent of the musicians and the developing of the concept. Yes, they seem to repeat themselves with all this Gods Aliens conceptual album with the shinning eyed girls on the cover sleeves, but the music on it's own is great. They construct great moods and the music worth for itself more than trying to compare with the great leagues of Prog Metal.

In a time when is difficult to escape the shadow of Dream Theater influence, this band is bold enough to accept their influence and tries to bring something new and they succeed in their 3 last albums. This one in particular is almost a back to back to Celestial: Calling. The music, sound, performance and production are almost the same. This is not a bad thing, because they have a very high standard for their music and production, so if you enjoy quality Prog Metal music, you will appreciate this band for sure. I want to point at the singers voice, versatile, energetic, aggressive and original, seem to have enough space to grow and he is a wonderful singer.

On in on, the album is great. If you like Prog Metal you have to check this out. This is maybe one the best bands of the sub-genre. Quality, good songwriting, excellent performance and stimulating compositions is what you will find in this album. 4 stars because for me, their masterpiece is Celestial: Calling. Everything good in this album is great in that another one. Great album still...

My good PA colleague B. Olariu recommended me this one. And it did surprised me. I must confess that I did not expect much. It´s been a long time that any prog metal act does not move me. They all seemed to be stuck in a rut and/or imitating Dream Theatre. So I was quite delighted to hear this band from Norway. No that they won me over easily: at first they sounded me as an average power/prog metal band of the day: good, but with nothing special. However, after a few spins I was already changing my mind.

The simplicity I found initially turned out to be quite misleading: actually the music is very intricated, very well played and the fact that they use their obvious virtuosity to enhance the songs and not for pointless noodling nor as vehicle for personal showmanship is the kind of quality I great admire. If you have any doubts if they are truly progressive go to their two-part epic Back to the magic of childhood. It´s over 13 minutes of pure instrumental music that will take you to a great ride. I´m glad to find at las t a skillful bunch of prog metallers that avoided the usual traps of the ´Dream Theater syndrome´

Great guitar solos, nice dreamy keys and a versatile rhythm section. Not a single filler in the whole CD. The high pitch vocals are not the best I´ve seen, but that´s just a matter of taste and it is clear that the singer does his job well. Blessed with a superb production, excellent songwriting and tasteful arrangements, Celestial Entrance is certainly a great find and injects energy and personality in a style that seems to drag lated. A real great find and a must have if you´re into prog metal.