PAGAN'S MIND
(Norway)
www.pagansmind.com
Norway does not only boast a unique, impressive nature - this country also has a lot to offer musically. Norway has been considered the breeding ground of Black Metal for years - but knowing that, many tend to forget that the land of unaffordable alcohol has hatched a handful of top-class, unmistakable progressive Metal bands. Throughout the eighties and nineties, bands like TNT, CONCEPTION and TRIVIAL ACT catapulted Norway into the daily Metal news with their skillful and often genre forming outputs, but by the turn of the new millennium; a new innovative scene evolved.
In the year of 2000, the Norwegian scene brought up PAGAN'S MIND, who now is releasing their fourth studio album in 2007. This progressive masterpiece is called God's Equation, and the Norwegian quintet has put all its musical experience so far into the album. God's Equation is a musical giant consisting of groove, melody, intelligent heaviness and ambitious song writing. Skillfully and cleverly, all musical essences of what constitutes progressive Heavy Metal, are joined here. But not only progressive for the sake of it - God's Equation sees the band combine riffs that hit you in the face as well as catchy melodies, with a production and mix that gives the band a unique sound.
PAGAN'S MIND's talent could already be noticed on their debut album Infinity Divine, released in 2000. This album was produced by no lesser than TNT guitar wizard Ronni Le Tekro. Within the scene, the album, released on a small label based in Oslo, became a fast selling item and got excellent reviews. The band, established by Nils K. Rue on vocals, Stian Kristoffersen, drums, and Thorstein Aaby on guitar (1971-2007), and later joined by Jörn-Viggo Lofstad (guitar), Steinar Krokmo (bass) and Ronny Tegner (keyboards), was encouraged by the success of their debut album and quickly commenced work on new material for the next album, Celestial Entrance, in co-operation with successful producer Fredrik Nordström (DIMMU BORGIR, HAMMERFALL, ARCH ENEMY, IN FLAMES). For this album, PAGAN'S MIND deepened its progressive style partially based upon DREAM THEATER, QUEENSRYCHE and RUSH, but topped it all off with filigree Power Metal elements, enthralling melodies, and exciting arrangements. In 2002, the band started a co-operation with Limb Music Products, known as LMP, which released Celestial Entrance in the fall of the same year. The album gave the band much deserved attention, and elite festivals as ProgPower USA and ProgPower Europe, as well as Sweden Rock Festival, invited PAGAN'S MIND to play in 2003. Celestial Entrance scored massive attention in the industry as well, and Stian Kristoffersen was invited to play drums for FIREWIND, Nils K. Rue joined Canadian EIDOLON, and Jörn-Viggo Lofstad became Jorn Lande's closest partner for his band, named JORN.
Still, PAGAN'S MIND was never put second, and the co-operation between the band and LMP intensified in 2004 when it was decided to re-release the debut album, Infinity Divine, due to growing demand. Completely overhauled and remixed by Tommy Hansen, the album contained a newly recorded version of "Embracing Fear" and a propulsive cover version of the KING DIAMOND classic "At The Graves" as a bonus. As illustrious guests for the cover song, the band won over Gus G. (FIREWIND) and Glen Dover (KING DIAMOND, MEGADETH, EIDOLON) to take part in the solo work.
The final mix of the third album, Enigmatic: Calling, was once again done in well-proven co-operation with Fredrik Nordström in his Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden. For this album, the band sounded more melodic, yet at the same time harder. The opus, to be understood as a concept album dealing with the origin of mankind and the possibility of modern mankind being a creation of an alien intelligence thousands of years ago, is brimming with unique song structures. It took over one year of work, and after its release in 2005, PAGAN'S MIND got the chance to play on more prestigious festivals as well as return to Sweden Rock Festival, ProgPower Europe and the newly established ProgPower UK. It was unforeseeable that the album stormed the Norwegian album charts shortly after its release, but that only affirmed the talented work of the band. At the end of that year, the band did a headliner tour in England.
All that encouraged PAGAN'S MIND even more: They started immediately working on new material, and at the same time they decided to climb to a new level with the band. Their idea for the next step was to incorporate none other than Stefan Glaumann from Toytown Studios in Stockholm, Sweden. (Glaumann is well known for his productions with RAMMSTEIN, PARADISE LOST, EVERGREY and DEATHSTARS). The result of the co-operation is called God's Equation and surpasses even the highest expectations. PAGAN'S MIND has been able to improve yet another time - they have applied all experiences of the past years to a point where they have their own distinct sound. On God's Equation, the band presents itself as highly dynamic, extremely eager to play and keen on experimenting, and the songs seem effortless, very flowing, but nevertheless you notice that there is a lot of heart, soul and intellect in them. Songs like the classic monumental, really superb "Osiris' Triumphant Return", with almost nine minutes length, is one of the climaxes of this entertaining Progressive Metal album, bearing all trademarks for a classic. Due to the crystal clear, very transparent and hard production, songs like 'United Alliance' or the modern and experimental 'Atomic Firelight' do really explode. The wall of guitars is absolutely voluminous and shapes the whole album. With God's Equation, PAGAN'S MIND has created an album that takes no second place to the big, monumental works of the scene leaders.
The first edition of God's Equation will be released as a limited edition 2-disc version in a paperboard slipcase with a poster. The second CD contains six bonus songs, four of them from the 2001 demo, which later were released as overhauled versions on Celestial Entrance. Furthermore, a live version of "Search For Life" can be found, and the so far unreleased track "Shining Eternally". The CD is completed by a video clip for "Atomic Firelight" and various wallpapers of the band.
Without exaggeration, God's Equation is one of the most intense, fundamental and outstanding albums released by Limb Music Products so far. PAGAN'S MIND is the future of innovative Metal - don't doubt it!
Line-Up:
Nils K Rue - vocals
Jorn Viggo Lofstad – guitars
Ronny Tegner - keyboards
Steinar Krokmo - bass
Stian Kristoffersen – drums