INFINITY DIVINE

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).