Pagan's Mind are a Norwegian band, combining the aggressive and technical aspects of metal with the more melodic and epic areas. Pagan's Mind are not an old band, as they were founded out of the remains of the band Silverspoon in the summer of 2000. They have created a sound of their own, and have been described as TNT meets Dream Theater meets Annihilator!!

INFINITY DIVINE (2000) FACEFRONT

A Norwegian band playing progressive power metal, is somewhat of an unusual thing. The other band I can think of is Trivial Act, and Pagan's Mind is comparable to them, but with a heavier sound. Hollow is another band I think sound very similar. 'Infinity Divine' is a good debut, and gives promise of better things to follow. I, for one, will follow this band closely, as I like this album a lot. The album is very even all the way through, but I don't really find any songs that stick out. So for their next record, I hope they come up with 1 or 2 over-the-top songs, just to put some icing on the cake.

Killer tracks: Angels Serenity, Infinity Divine

CELESTIAL ENTRANCE (2002) LIMB/SPV

Holy cow, batman!! What an improvement! I was hoping for 1 or 2 great songs, and I got an entire album!!!! This is easily one of the best progressive metal albums ever recorded! There is not a dull moment anywhere on the CD. Just sit back and enjoy this beautiful masterpiece, and re-discover your love for metal. It's so cool to have another Norwegian band in the metal elite. If you mix Queensrÿche and Dream Theater, then add touches from Symphony X, and you'll have a fair idea of what Pagan's Mind sound like. Not that they need any comparison any longer, because this band is definitely standing on their own 12 feet now, manifesting themselves as one of the leading bands in this genre. A MUST!

Killer tracks: There is not a note on this album that is not killer.

INFINITY DIVINE (2004) LIMB/SPV (Re-release)

After signing with Limb Productions, and the success of their second release, 'Celestial Entrance', the band started to receive numerous questions about their debut album. But since it was pretty difficult to obtain, and the band was never overtly happy with the overall sound on it, they decided to remix and re-release it. The result is stunning! The album have gained a thicker and heavier sound, and Nils' vocals aren't as dominating as was the case on the original. I think the killer tracks report below shows you just how much better this version of the album really is. It's like listening to a new album all together. The track "Moonlight Pact" is gone, but as a bonus we get a completely new recording of "Embracing Fear". We also get a killer King Diamond cover in "At The Graves". And if you can tell the difference between the evil man himself, and Nils' haunting vocal performance, then you've got better ears then me! Also look out for special appearances by Gus G. (Firewind, ex-Dream Evil, Nightrage) and Glen Drover (Eidolon, Megadeth, ex-King Diamond). 

Killer tracks: Caught In A Dream, Infinity Divine, Embracing Fear, Angels Serenity, Embracing Fear (2004), At The Graves

ENIGMATIC: CALLING (2005) LIMB/SPV

It was of course with great anticipation I bought this Pagan's Mind release. And all the reviews I read told me that I was in for a treat. Now I've lived with this CD for months, not knowing quite what to write about it. 'Enigmatic: Calling' is of course yet another stellar album from the Norwegian masters of progressive power metal. The musicianship is flawless, and especially Jørn Viggo is shining! He is, without a doubt, one of the top 5 guitar-players from Norway, EVER! But nevertheless, I cannot say that I like 'Enigmatic: Calling' as much as I did 'Celestial Entrance'. Sure, we get over-the-top songs like "Supremacy, Our Kind", but the problem might lie in the fact that I find most of the songs too similar. There is just no telling them apart. It's also odd in that some times when I listen to this release I can really find no faults with it at all, but other times I just can't get that much into the tunes. Guess I'll just conclude with that this is solid work, but not their best.

Killer tracks: Enigmatic Mission, Supremacy, Our Kind, Coming Home, Taken, Resurrection (Back In Time)

GOD'S EQUATION (2007) LIMB/SPV (Limited Edition 2CD)

I'm always excited when Norway's premier power/prog metal band is out with a new constellation. I know I'll get premium musicianship, mixed with some of the most innovative songwriting in today's metal scene. What I don't know in advance though, is whether or not I'm going to like what I hear. 'God' Equation' came highly recommended, both from the press, and from the long time fans. Still, I'm a little undecided about this album. Just like with 'Enigmatic: Calling', I'm left with a feeling of disappointment. Sure, the music is played better than most others could have, and the production is excellent and all. So why can't I seem to remember any of the songs when the CD stops? 'God's Equation' sees a change of directions for Pagan's Mind. I wouldn't call it a commercial approach. But the song structures are not as complex as we have gotten used to from the boys from Skien. Still, I can't seem to really get into the music as much as I'd hoped for. When I listen to the songs, my jaw is at the floor listening to the stuff that comes out of Jørn Viggo. He is perhaps the most talented guitar-player in Norway, no make that the world, right now. He is not content on delivering just another Pagan's Mind album, but seems determined to outdo himself on every new release. Mission accomplished I say. You just have to hear him to really get a grasp of how good this man is. Too bad that he can't seem to deliver the memorable songs needed to keep my interest for the band up. Each song listened to separately sounds more then good, but as a whole I loose interest in what I hear pretty fast. "Farewell" is a beautiful instrumental track dedicated to the bands former guitar-player, Thorstein Aaby, who died so prematurely on July 24th 2007. "Hello Spaceboy" is a David Bowie cover, that actually works quite well. They should have put the song as the last track though, as it sort of divides the album in 2 halves.

The limited edition double CD issue I bought of the album comes with a sticker, a poster, and a bonus CD. Packed in a cardboard sleeve with the US version of the cover (with the girls breasts hidden behind her hair), once you take the sleeve off, the booklet picture is the same as shown above (as is the case with the sticker and poster too). The bonus disc comes with 1 new track, a live track, and 4 demos recorded back in 2001. And to tell you the truth, I think I prefer these songs to the new album.

Killer tracks: God's Equation, United Alliance, Painted Skies

Nils K.Rue guest appearances:

Carnivora - 'Judas'

Ronny Tegner guest appearances:

  Arvinger - 'Helgards Fall'

Jørn Viggo Lofstad guest appearances:

Carnivora - 'Re-Incarnal'

Related artists:

 Silverspoon, Firewind, Eidolon, Trivial Act, Jorn