PAGAN'S MIND

OK... Norway has something to say in our beloved Prog World... listen to them carefully... they really know what to porpuse...

This was the first album I heard from Pagan's Mind and I really get stick to the band and now I have all their albums... OK... is really sad that too many people don't even know the band... is a shame... ´cause this is a "must have" for sure...

This guys use somekind of alien thematics... stargates, divinity entities that are like gods and speak to us or something like that... but the music... it is something like prog-power-metal... heavily influenced by Dream Theater... they even use a couple of references to some songs from the DT guys ("Entrance to Infinity" rings any bell?)... so... if you like DT... you have to hear this... is not a copy, just that is evident the influence...

The quality of the musicians is impressive... they manage to drive a metal sound with very fresh keyboards that works for the ambience and sometimes making nice and melodic solos ala "Kevin Moore early days"... the drums, the heavy riffs, the melodic solos, everything seems to fit in... they don't try to be the fastest, the thoughest, the heaviest... just show they are on the level of whatever prog-metal band out there... and the voice... this is for you if you like DT without James Labries voice... This guy is more a metal singer... with a huge range of pitch...

The production, the concept of the album, the sound and the songwriting... everything speaks from itself... a must wanted... you will love to be on this strange little journey through the skies... great to see that in Norway they have inspiration to achieve something new in this "cliché" world that we live on the now-a-days in prog rock... five stars... for me.. is the best of Pagans Mind...

The debut album (2000) from a progressive metal band coming from Norway which was rerecorded in 2004 with new vocal in 2004. Musically, it's more towards power metal with straight forward arrangements and basically no progressive element at all. But it does not mean a bad album. In fact the composition is quite solid and the overall performance of the musicians involved in this album is excellent. The lead vocal delivered by Nils K. Rue is excellent and it fits with the music.

The album starts with an ambient created through the sounds of keyboard in long sustain fashion in 'Prelude to Paganism' (1:02) followed with raw guitar riffs that remarks the entrance to the next track 'Caught in a Dream' (6:01) followed with double pedal bass drums work typical of power metal music. The title track 'Infinity Divine' (6:12) enters in faster speed with excellent keyboard solo followed with vocal. While 'Embracing Fear' (5:56) starts off with heavy guitar riffs in energetic mode, it's another excellent track. Having been blasted with high energy tracks the album finally slows down with 'Dawning of the Nemesis' (5:09) which represents a nice ballad with excellent vocal job that reminds me to Michael Kiske of Germany's Helloween. 'Moonlight Pact' is another nice ballad.

Overall, this is a good album that will favor power metal fans. The combine double bass pedal drums, bass guitar, electric guitar and drums makes this album worth listening to. Keep on proggin' ?!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

Pagan's Mind lat album to date from 2007 entitled God's equation. This album compared with the predecesors is a little bit of deseppointing, because this one is weaker than last 2 albums they've made so far. They couldn't manage to create a better album than Celestial entrance so far, not even Enigmatic calling doesn't reach the beauty and splendour of Celestial entrance, so this last album is no exception. While is not a bad album as a whole, he doesn't shine with none of the pieces gathered here, not one is in front in particular, all has same level, but not quite a big one in my opinion. The musician performed well and has great skills for sure, but something is missing, there is no more that special feeling about the compositions, only good to listen from time to time. Is hard for me to say that the best piece from here is a cover version of David Bowie - Hellow space boy, very well made in this version - well done guys, but the rest of the pieces are good but no more than that - God's Equation the title track is a little more great then the oher pieces. Si in the end 3 stars, a good one but nothing special, really.Still remains one of my fav prog metal bands from today and hoping for a new album soon, is nearly 2 years since this one.

PAGAN 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. "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.

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.

Third album of Norwey best prog metal band, Pagan's Mind, entitled Enigmatic calling from 2005. While is not as good as the predecesor, who was a real prog metal journey for my ears, this one is less convincing with some tracks who sounds like are left behind from previous album. Anyway the musicianship is top notch, the sound is full and fat, but the ideas are not very enthusiatic. The vocal parts are again strong, Nils K. Rue has a great voice, not far from Kai Hansen from Gamma Ray, he has his own range and power, the drummer Stian Lindaas Kristoffersen makes some strong beats, overall is a great one, just listen the instrumental one Coming Home and New World Order, he rocks. Now the keyboards of Ronny Tegner and the guitar of Jørn Viggo Lofstad are the essential things here. They do the hard work on this album, as well like on previouses one's. Some very intristing riffs and chops combined very efficient with nice solos of keys make this album to sound solid. Anyhow this not thier best album, (i remain to Celestial entrance to be the best, and among the best prog metal albums in last 10 years), Enigmatic calling is a good one, but they are on stagnation here, musicaly speaking, maybe because in that period Nils K. Rue was invited by canadian power metal Eidolon to do the vocal parts on some albums. I will give 3.5 rounded to 4, i'm a big fan of this band , but is not as good as the predecesor, but is better than many prog metal albums from that period.

Uneven at best, Enigmatic: Calling is a collection of sci-fi metal left-overs lacking memorable songs or performances-- a let down after the excellent Celestial Entrance.

My biggest problem is with this album's poor song writing; it has very few memorable hooks or melodies and the few that are there are so scattered throughout the album's 65+ minute length that it makes finding them a difficult venture. Because of this, the album has a very bland feel. It's as if the group gave up writing something new in frustration and pulled out cast-off works from their previous albums... and it shows in the feel and energy.

Lofstad earns points in my book for at least trying a few new things with his guitar, but the rest of the group sounds like they're running through the motions here-- especially Rue's vocals. I was very impressed by his range and gusto in Celestial Entrance, but let down here quite a bit. His voice's timbre has lowered, taking some of the edge off from his choruses, and it just doesn't feel like he's enjoying these songs.

Me either.

Not as great as PAGAN'S MIND best.

My only previous experience with this band comes from the album "Celestial Entrance". That album was filled with excellent songs and just a couple average ones. Sadly, the opposite is true in "God's Equation."

To those who haven't heard this band in the first place, PAGAN'S MIND sounds as close to a perfect mix of DREAM THEATER and STRATOVARIUS as you'll ever find. Here we have authentic progressive-power- metal, power metal with a lot of progressive elements or at times actually progressive metal with a distinct power metal sound. The high, heroic vocals, the heavy-but-not-annoying use of bass drums, shredding solos and speed, all is here, blended with odd time signatures, extended songs and instrumental passages, structures that are not typical, atmospheric moments and great craftsmanship.

What this album lacks that "Celestial Entrance" didn't is the great melodies and choruses. To honor the "power" element of a band, choruses have to be epic and memorable, they have to be the focus towards which the verses and other sections of songs inevitably conduce us. But in "God's Equation" we don't get as many of those as in that earlier album. Here we don't have any power-prog masterpiece as "Through Osiris Eyes" was in the 2002 great opus. The closest we get is probably in the second track (first song proper), "God's Equation." But even that good chorus doesn't reach the same level of grandeur that some choruses had in previous releases. It's like the band focused (and a lot) in writing some cool riffs and solos but couldn't stay focused for the climaxes of their anthems.

The musicianship here is top-notch. And that makes the lack of great melodies even more disappointing. When a band doesn't have a great singer or a skilled guitar player, it's easier to understand non- memorable songs. But when a band has a singer of the caliber of Rue, a guitarist of the skills of Lofstad, of a keyboardist with the precision of Tegner, it should just follow that they should write outstanding songs. They have done it in the past. They only achieve it halfway here in "God's Equation."

All in all, not a bad album by any means. This is good power-prog-metal, but not great. For true great albums, try SYMPHONY X's "V: The New Mythology Suite" or PAGAN'S MIND "Celestial Entrance." "God's Equation" is an enjoyable listen, but ultimately disappointing.

This debut by Pagan's Mind has actually an interesting build up. But first let me state that I'm reviewing the 2004 re-issue and this one has some significant differences compared to the original. Not only does it contain the King Diamond's cover At the Graves but there are also some differences in length of the songs. Most songs on the re-issue are shorter except A new beginning which is half a minute longer. And also the re-issue misses out on Moonlight pact. I never heard the original so I don't even know what that song is like. And the strange thing is that the re-issue does a double performance of Embracing fear, calling the second one Embracing fear 2004 and the worst thing is: the 2004 edition is far less than the earlier (track 4). So that means they could have left it out and place Moonlight pact instead on the re-issue. These producers move in mysterious ways sometimes.

But anyway, now the review. I was talking about the build up of this album. First 3 songs after the short introduction to Paganism (nice invention) are truly awesome to me with Caught in a dream as absolute highlight. But then the album diminishes in quality until the 7th track (Dwaning of the Nemesis) reaching it's lowest point and then gets better and better again until the closing bonus track reaching another highlight with A new Beginning. That's where the build is concerned. The style of Pagan's Mind is one that I absolutely love a lot. It's the exact right kind of prog metal for me, great up tempo speed, excellent drumming and good instrumental performances. The compositions are not the most brilliant you will ever hear but there is not much wrong with them. It's just the vocals that are not really 100 % my cup of tea but I have to say, you get used to them after some time and I can live with them.

The overall feeling is very positive for me and I can only give this one rating: 4 stars (3,8 to be precise).

I recently discovered this jewel. It had so many good reviews I considered to try. It was one of the best choices I did (musically speaking).

I have to say the two first times I heard it I didn't discovered anything new. But after the third time I started to understand, and it was so easy to do!!!

What I discovered is a very nice combination of good melodies, amazing guitars, good vocals and very entertaining music because its very changing melodies.

I can't point only one or two songs, all of them are great. Listen and enjoy if you didn't do before.

Tillo