PAGAN'S MIND

Formed by Nils K. Rue (vocals), Thorstein Aaby (guitars) and Stian Kristoffersen (drums) in the year 2000 from the ashes of Silverspoon, the trio successful scouted the cream of the crop Norwegian metal musicians lurking in those fjords and found J'rn Viggo Lofstad (guitars), Steinar Krokmo (bass) and Ronny Tegner (keyboards) and wasted no time releasing their debut album INFINITY DIVINE which came out in the same year. The album was a success commercially and critically but the band was unhappy with the results and thus a new version emerged in 2004 with certain tracks re-recorded, a new spruced up mixing job and even a couple bonus tracks including a new version of 'Embracing Fear' as well as a killer cover of King Diamond's classic 'At The Graves.'

I have to admit that i am unfamiliar with the original version as i own the 2004 re-release so all comments and my rating is based on that version. Basically PAGAN'S MIND delivers a more technical style of progressive power metal. On the power metal side of the equation, certain tracks clearly bring early Helloween to mind with those classic backbeat drumming techniques and power guitar riffs but some of the slower acoustic parts are more reminiscent of Crimson Glory as well as Nils Rue's powerful vocal performances. There are also moments where he sounds like Geoff Tate in the early US power metal phase of early Queensryche which places him in the top taken category for his wide power range that spans many octaves.

On the progressive metal side of the fence, PAGAN'S MIND clearly did their homework studying Watchtower's two landmark albums from the 80s and while not as angular and jittery, the band borrows some of the thrash riffs as well as some of the jazz-infused compositional elements that give it that advanced musician's feel. Add to that there are clear references to Dream Theater especially in the keyboard department with crazy lightning fast keyboard solos as well as spaced out atmospheric embellishments however even the riffing often reminds me of stylistic approaches on 'Awake.' With all the aforementioned styles, PAGAN'S MIND flawlessly delivers an incessant rampage of high quality prog power metal without missing a beat. The band also delivers a creative mix of riffing styles, drumming patterns and Rue's vocal prowess takes everything to a ridiculously high level of coolness as well as keeping things from stagnating with interesting guitar tones, creative uses of pauses and dynamics.

Not sure about the 2000 version of this but i can highly recommend the 2004 re-release as the production is warm and inviting and the musicianship is as good as it gets without sacrificing any creative juices from flowing. You can think of this as a more accessible form of Watchtower or a proggier mix of Helloween, Queensryche and Crimson Glory but no matter how you slice it, PAGAN'S MIND stands out as one of the more gifted bands in the legion of prog metal bands that emerged after the success of Dream Theater's 90s run. Another reason to hunt down the 2004 version is that the King Diamond cover 'At The Graves' is worth the price of admission alone as it matches and exceeds the fiery passion that the original delivered with extra technicalities introduced without sacrificing the emotional connection of the original. It's good enough to make the King himself bow down in humility. That good.

Oh God... it is.

I was so excited when I finally came around to getting a Pagan's Mind album. I'd heard a few of their songs beforehand and was instantly won over. They have a good reputation amongst the progressive and power metal scenes, and I thought for sure this is a band I would really dig. Sadly for me, my first official venture into the music of Pagan's Mind would come through their debut album, and boy, this album sucks!

It's not that the music is terrible, it's just so uninspired. The riffs are so devoid of any life or emotion. The keyboards seem tacked in to make the music feel more spacey, whilst not really adding anything at all. And the vocals... what happened?! Nils K. Rue is one of my favourite vocalists, but this is horrendous. Whiny, screechy, and again, very uninspired (a recurring theme here), the vocals on this record are just awful. They're very irritating and I don't think there is a single instance where the vocal melody actually suits the music. Or vice versa. As a whole this album is just... "there".

So why the two-star rating then? Because thankfully there is one saving grace to 'Infinity Divine', and that's the closing song, 'A New Beginning'. Sure, the vocals kind of ruin that song too, but damn it if that intro doesn't get heads banging nothing will.

I'm clutching at straws here, but I'll take what I can. Shoddy debut, but better things are coming.

To me, the band's sound and style throughout Heavenly Ecstasy feels like they had a checklist in the control room while recording to ensure that they hit all of the marks needed for a power metal release.

High-flying vocals with plenty of hooks, sustains, and cosmic vocals? Check!

Songwriting and compositions 20% more interesting than normal metal? Check!

Killer instrumental work, with plenty of opportunities for showing off? Check!

Something to engage with the listener, communicate an interesting concept, or convey emotions beyond just being bad-ass nordic metal? Maybe next time...

Heavenly Ecstasy does so much right, and is genuinely a good listen, but doesn't grab hold of me the way that an exceptionally good prog-metal work does. Still, Pagan's Mind is much more diverse and exciting than a lot of their peers, so even a 3-star release from them is solid. Great for the occasional rock out session.

Songwriting: 3 - Instrumental Performances: 3 - Lyrics/Vocals: 3 - Style/Emotion/Replay: 4

I have issues with the vocals, they're good but everyone who has heard this style of metal has heard them before, musically the band is talented but the music is as bland and lifeless as any other band who copies the DT style of prog metal. In truth the music here kind of falls to the background, I have listened to this album countless times and every time I find it difficult to bring to mind any music after the fact, let alone feel any strong desire to re-listen to the music. Don't get me wrong I enjoy the music while it plays but after the fact I have this anticlimactic 'well that happened' attitude towards the music.

There is great potential, the band is talented not only as musicians but as songwriters but without an identifiable sound or any creativity I don't feel as though the band can warrant anything beyond 3 stars.

Pagan's Mind is guitar driven attitude and precisely executed, aggressive Prog power metal. With crunchy chords, double bass choke cymbals accents, and more arpeggios than you can shake a stick at, this is wonderful musicianship, especially for budding shredders looking for inspiration. Just like the Varney cats on the Shrapnel label from my time, these bands have inspired the next generation of guitar acrobatics and pummeling polyrhythmic drums. There are compelling twists and turns during the solo sections of the arrangements which should keep music students captivated and listening intently in the practice rooms.

The downside is the fact that like many of the aforementioned bands, it's a formula that originated with Dream Theater and leaves an impression of "we can do that and let's try to one up them." If you can, great, but should that be the objective? What about developing your own unique sound? One could argue that Petrucci, Portnoy (now Mangini) and gang are the progenitors in prog metal and the pinnacle of the talent pool in that genre, however, Pagan's Mind does seem to be able to generate more attitude and passion in their songs. The vocalist, Nils Rue, really powers the songs in a way that DT can't seem to achieve. The power metal energy is delivered in a way that really makes up for any comparable loss of finger dexterity, and when all these clone bands are taken as a whole, Pagan's Mind is a comparable standout.

Kudos to the mix engineers: Fredrik Nordstrom and Patrik Sten and mastering engineer, Morten Lund. The sound quality really captures the aggressive power metal style and enhances the listening experience. Added guitar solos by Christian Clausen are well executed and creative. The cover art is intriguing and in line with the concept of the recording (though, I may like the uncensored "God's Equation" cover, slightly better' not sure why?) Big props to the band for not changing any of its members since the beginning of the band in 2000, a rare feat in the music world these days.

This title deserves at least 4 stars for talent and the recording quality, but, because it falls into a DT clone category and about 3/4 of the way through the songs start sounding a little of the same, a slight decrease in rating must ensue, though both this title and the even more exploratory "God's Equation" are the highlights of the Pagan's Mind catalog. If you're into the power prog scene this is indeed a necessity!

(Side note: I had pretty much given up on prog rock/metal just prior to Dream Theater's "Scenes From A Memory" to pursue studying jazz and fusion for the next 9 years. A few years ago I was standing in the music store to purchase a pair of drum sticks when I heard a band playing over the speakers that caught my attention. I asked the sales associate behind the counter who was playing? He told me he came across the Norwegian Dream Theater, called Pagan's Mind, and that he liked them even better than DT. I raised my eyebrows and determined right there that I needed a change of pace from the jazz scene. It was a calling: to return to my roots in prog pop, rock and metal and I get caught up on what became of the prog scene since my departure. So, it was Pagan's Mind's "Enigmatic Calling" that was the catalyst for my discovering the Prog Archives website and the 1000's of titles that would keep me busy listening for years to come. For that, I say "thanks Pagan's Mind" ...and the sales associate behind the counter playing them!)

On first listen, I found this album rather disappointing, as it has less to offer in the technicality/virtuosic field that Pagan's Mind has never before failed to impress us with. But after a while I found myself listening to this album repeatedly. And it took me a while to figure out why I was enjoying it so much.

What makes "Heavenly Ecstasy" what it is, is the powerful composition and emotion. While Pagan's Mind may have taken a more simplistic approach to their musicality on this album in terms of time signatures, speed, and harmonic features, their songs are way more emotional and the band have musically progressed more since "God's Equation" than they have between any of their other albums.

What will probably stand out to previous Pagan's Mind fans:

☢The new synth sounds - the synthesisers are more "futuristic" sounding and play a more melodic role on the album. These synths will sound very dated within a decade's time.

☢The simpler chord progressions - while I prefer the more complicated jazzy chord progressions, I feel that this works well within the album.

☢Slower, more ballady pieces - again, a large change to the Pagan's Mind sound.

☢A more sentimental approach to the composition - the pieces are more introspective and sentimental.

☢A more "epic" sounding mix - rather than speed, Pagan's Mind have made this album feel louder and more powerful. Though I love the fast pieces that made their previous sound, I think that this works to the album's advantage.

☢Cleaner production - the album has a nice clean production, but I can't help but feel like it gives the album a more commercial edge.

The album has quite many great tracks and so it is not easy to pick my favourite. But the key tracks for me are:

♪ Eyes of Fire - A great opener. I love the chord progression.

♪ Follow Your Way - This track is a very nicely composed piece of music, with a chorus that I find very moving.

♪ Live Your Life Like a Dream - Probably the cheesiest song on the album, but also a very beautiful and heartfelt one.

♪ Never Walk Alone - This track is by far my favourite on the album.

I personally think that this is an excellent addition to any progressive music library, but it is worth much more to me than a rating.

Celestial Entrance is the 2nd studio album by Pagan's Mind, and in this album we see potential realized. It is perhaps the most musically interesting of their albums, containing possibly the most interesting song structures, time signature changes, and technical wizardry. Some highlights include the dizzying instrumental "Back to the Magic of Childhood, Part 2: Exploring Life", the frightening metal sounds of "...Of Epic Questions", the spookiness of "The Prophecy of Pleiades", and the fist pumping "Aegean Shores". This is a perfect album for someone who loves Power Metal, and wants to experience Progressive Metal without diving in headfirst, and conversely would be a great album for any Progressive Metal lover who wants to try out some Power Metal.

God's Equation is the fourth studio album of the band, and while in many ways they sound much more polished, I personally felt like I was starting to see their decline, a conclusion that was re-inforced for me with their fifth album: Heavenly Ecstasy. I say this because I noticed in this album a decline in the interesting time-signature changes and technical playing I had heard in the previous two albums. This being said, God's Equation is a stellar album - the sound production is improved from the last album, and some of my favorite songs by the band are actually on this album, including the epic Osiris' Triumphant Return, the otherworldly Painted Skies, spacey sounding Spirit Starcruiser, and heavy monsters Evolution Exceed and Alien Kamikaze.