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PAGAN'S MIND

Progressive Metal • Norway


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Pagan's Mind picture
Pagan's Mind biography
Pagan's Mind, a Norwegian Progressive Metal band, formed in 2000 with Nils K. Rue on vocals, Stian Kristoffersen on drums, and Thorstein Aaby on guitar, They all played together in a 80s metal inspirated band but wanted to aim higher and quickly replaced the old bass player with Steinar Krokmo. Guitar virtuoso Jorn Viggo Lofstad joined with Steinar and brought a change to this new band. Jorn and Steinar added with them the Progressive edge that the band would have in the coming years. Their debut album was recorded just one month after Steinar and Jorn joined the band and they were all pleased with the finishing result which was called Infinity Divine Keyboardist Ronny Tegner, who recorded keyboards with them, saw a great potential in Pagan's Mind and joined the band. Since the formation and after two albums, co-founder and guitarist Thorstein Aaby left the band in 2003 and Pagan's Mind's guitar duties solely rested on Jorn Viggo Lofstad's shoulders. Pagan's Mind is what would remind you of a traditional PROG POWER band with influences of CONCEPTION, DREAM THEATER, QUEENSRYCHE, contemporary jazz, neoclassical elements and also some influences by Norwegian Black metal bands. When you put it together, it becomes the insane formula that is Pagan's Mind.

The first album brought the sounds of an old Norwegian giant, CONCEPTION, DREAM THEATER, QUEENSRYCHE and the sounds of 80's Metal all mixed together into an amazing dark, Progressive Power Metal assault that is somewhat like EVERGREY with a strange twist. The second album is the most complete, bringing classical, neo-classical, jazz and Black Metal influences forth and with amazing lyrics that can impress even the best of lyricists. Pagan's Mind's Celestial Entrance is excellent and fans of Progressive Metal should have a listen of it.

Pagan's Mind is one of these new-era Progressive Power metal bands that are very good. Sure they might take a lot from DREAM THEATER as an influence, but this is one of the more impressive Images and Words influenced bands out there. Highly recommended for Progressive Metal lovers.


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PAGAN'S MIND discography


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PAGAN'S MIND top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.25 | 70 ratings
Infinity Divine
2000
4.05 | 173 ratings
Celestial Entrance
2002
3.78 | 118 ratings
Enigmatic: Calling
2005
3.40 | 93 ratings
God's Equation
2007
3.44 | 78 ratings
Heavenly Ecstasy
2011

PAGAN'S MIND Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.80 | 15 ratings
Live Equation
2009

PAGAN'S MIND Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

3.52 | 10 ratings
Full Circle - Live at Center Stage
2015

PAGAN'S MIND Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

PAGAN'S MIND Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)

PAGAN'S MIND Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 Celestial Entrance  by PAGAN'S MIND album cover Studio Album, 2002
4.05 | 173 ratings

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Celestial Entrance
Pagan's Mind Progressive Metal

Review by martindavey87

3 stars 'Celestial Entrance' is the second album by Norwegian progressive metal band Pagan's Mind. Released in 2002, it sees a vast improvement upon the groups 2000 debut, with song-writing, instrumentation and vocals all taking a huge step up in quality.

I first got into Pagan's Mind by stumbling upon some of their music videos on YouTube, and found myself instantly digging their sound. So when my first album experience of theirs was their debut, 2000's 'Infinity Divine', I was slightly disappointed. I just felt like the music wasn't very inspired, and that vocalist Nils K. Rue (who is absolutely fantastic, by the way!), maybe hadn't quite found his niche in the band.

That all changes with 'Celestial Entrance'.

The band really hit their stride here, with a sound a bit more their own. With some fantastic compositions, excellent musicianship, including some remarkable interplay between the guitars and keyboards, and of course, the aforementioned Nils K. Rue, who's vocals are incredible, and has really found their place in the music.

While a couple of the tracks are still fairly hit-or-miss, there is plenty to enjoy here. 'Aegean Shores', '?Of Epic Questions' and 'Back to the Magic of Childhood' are all great tracks that are well worth repeated listens. But the true gems are 'Approaching/Through Osiris Eyes' and 'Dreamscape Lucidity'. Both songs are absolute masterpieces, and the album is worth checking out for these alone. Then there's the closing track which horribly rips off Dream Theater's 'Leaning to Live', in key, melody, even the lyrics are almost identical. It's a weirdly hilarious but forgivable way to end the album.

Overall, Pagan's Mind will go on to release much stronger albums than this, but this is a solid follow-up to their debut, and a highly recommended addition to the collection of any progressive or power metal fan.

 Infinity Divine by PAGAN'S MIND album cover Studio Album, 2000
3.25 | 70 ratings

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Infinity Divine
Pagan's Mind Progressive Metal

Review by siLLy puPPy
Special Collaborator PSIKE, JRF/Canterbury, P Metal, Eclectic

4 stars Norway may have been the epicenter for the explosion of black metal in the 90s, but the small nation of only 5.3 million inhabitants has had more than its share of stellar progressive metal bands emerge from within its borders as well. Of course the biggest contenders are Enslaved, Arcturus, Ved Buens Ende and even Leprous but another band that formed in Skien was PAGAN'S MIND who followed in the footsteps of the American band Watchtower and crafted an interesting sound that added plenty of technical wizardry along with the more melodic elements of band's like Dream Theater, early Queensryche and even the power metal bombast of Helloween.

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.

 Infinity Divine by PAGAN'S MIND album cover Studio Album, 2000
3.25 | 70 ratings

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Infinity Divine
Pagan's Mind Progressive Metal

Review by martindavey87

2 stars Yikes! What is this?! Did I pick up the right album? This isn't the same Pagan's Mind who had that awesome video for 'Through Osiris' Eyes' is it? This isn't the same band who released 'God's Equation" surely?

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.

 Full Circle - Live at Center Stage by PAGAN'S MIND album cover DVD/Video, 2015
3.52 | 10 ratings

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Full Circle - Live at Center Stage
Pagan's Mind Progressive Metal

Review by rdtprog
Special Collaborator Heavy, RPI, Symph, JR/F Canterbury Teams

3 stars This DVD and tour may not have happened because the father of guitar player Jorn Viggo was terminally sick, but he wished himself that the band and his son goes on. He passed away one year later. In this show, the band played the complete "Celestial Entrance" album in the first set. The music is very similar to Dream Theater leaning towards the Power Metal style. The voice of Nils K' Rue is almost a copy of Geoff Tate of Queensryche, which means a little irritating. It seems that every time he was stepping off the stage, it was a relief for my ears because I felt that throughout this show, the instrumental parts were the strongest moments. I am thinking of "Back to The Magic of Childhood suite" and the Dream Theater "a lot like", but brilliant "Full Circle". "Hallo Spaceboys" was another highlight because it was not the usual band's style. In fact, it's a song composed by Brian Eno and David Bowie! The Blu-Ray package has no extras but the full concert on 2 audio CDS and 1 video Blu-Ray. 3.5 stars
 Heavenly Ecstasy by PAGAN'S MIND album cover Studio Album, 2011
3.44 | 78 ratings

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Heavenly Ecstasy
Pagan's Mind Progressive Metal

Review by Prog Leviathan
Prog Reviewer

3 stars Pagan's Mind continues their streak of rock solid power/prog metal with Heavenly Ecstasy, an album that is very enjoyable despite being very average and predictable.

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

 Celestial Entrance  by PAGAN'S MIND album cover Studio Album, 2002
4.05 | 173 ratings

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Celestial Entrance
Pagan's Mind Progressive Metal

Review by MJAben

3 stars Musicianship? Yes. Songwriting? Yes. Originality? Absolutely Not. This album suffers from the same old, it fits the the cookie cutter, progressive / power metal design to a tee and yet, despite all this the music is quite good. I am well and truly conflicted on this album, ranging from 2-4 stars depending on my mood, it certainly doesn't have the originality, memorable music or timeless nature to be rated 5 stars and it is without a doubt too well written to be given 1 star.

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.

 Enigmatic: Calling by PAGAN'S MIND album cover Studio Album, 2005
3.78 | 118 ratings

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Enigmatic: Calling
Pagan's Mind Progressive Metal

Review by buddyblueyes

3 stars "Attack of the Clones!" Upon returning to the prog metal world from a long departure I clearly see the influence of Dream Theater everywhere. Numerous DT clones have spawned and multiplied. If you are a fan of Symphony X, Anubis Gate, Haken, Suspyre, Circus Maximus, Beyond Twilight, Distorted Harmony and Seventh Wonder, then Pagan's Mind (if it isn't already) belongs in your catalog.

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!)

 Enigmatic: Calling by PAGAN'S MIND album cover Studio Album, 2005
3.78 | 118 ratings

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Enigmatic: Calling
Pagan's Mind Progressive Metal

Review by Warthur
Prog Reviewer

3 stars Pagan's Mind may have an "Enigmatic Calling" but their musical agenda here couldn't be more easily digestible, offering up mostly traditional power metal fare with sufficient influence from progressive metal to add some interesting twists to proceedings. With a futuristic sheen added at points by Ronny Tegner's keyboards, I'm reminded of a mashup of the prog-leaning approach Iron Maiden took on Seventh Son of a Seventh Son with the aesthetic they adopted for Somewhere In Time, which is no bad thing. Vocalist Nils K. Rue takes the opportunity to show off some impressive range to boot, helping set Pagan's Mind ahead of the pack, but the musical backing itself is sufficiently generic that you're only likely to give this heavy rotation if you are very into the more prog-flirting end of power metal.
 Heavenly Ecstasy by PAGAN'S MIND album cover Studio Album, 2011
3.44 | 78 ratings

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Heavenly Ecstasy
Pagan's Mind Progressive Metal

Review by The Mystical

4 stars Excellent.

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  by PAGAN'S MIND album cover Studio Album, 2002
4.05 | 173 ratings

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Celestial Entrance
Pagan's Mind Progressive Metal

Review by dtguitarfan

5 stars Pagan's Mind is a unique act that leans more towards european melodic Power Metal, but in many of their albums add progressive elements that make their music very interesting and, to be quite frank, quite wonderful. They have a dark, spacey-futuristic feel that mainly comes from the keyboard playing of Ronny Tegner. Add to this the stellar guitar work of Jorn Viggo Lofstad (who I have heard compared to Eddie Van Halen, and while I see this I feel his playing is far superior and adds some of the flavor and techniques of Steve Vai and Joe Satriani maybe) and the unearthly, often banshee-like, 80's metal-style singing of Nils K. Rue, and thunderous drumming of Stian Kristoffersen, and you have quite an amazing style.

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.

Thanks to ProgLucky for the artist addition.

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