Artist: PAGANs MIND
Album: HEAVENLY ECSTASY (CD)

Release date: 2011
Media type: CD

In the year of 2000, the Norwegian music scene, thus mostly known for its Black Metal, brought up PAGAN’S MIND. Formed by Nils K. Rue on vocals, Stian Kristoffersen on drums, and Thorstein Aaby on guitar (1971-2007), and later joined by Jцrn-Viggo Lofstad (guitar), Steinar Krokmo (bass) and Ronny Tegner (keyboards), the band quickly established itself worldwide with their second album in 2002, Celestial Entrance, in co-operation with successful producer Fredrik Nordstrцm (Dimmu Borgir, Hammerfall). For this album, PAGAN’S MIND deepened the band’s progressive style from the debut, Infinity Divine, but topped it all off with filigree Power Metal elements and exciting arrangements. 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 Jorn Viggo Lofstad became Jorn Lande’s closest partner for his band, named JORN.

The final mix of the band’s third album, Enigmatic: Calling, was once again done in well-proven co-operation with Fredrik Nordstrцm. Produced by Lofstad, the band sounded more melodic, yet harder. After its release in 2005, PAGAN’S MIND played more prestigious festivals as well as returned 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. In 2006, the band did a headliner tour in England.

PAGAN’S MIND’s idea for the next step was to incorporate none other than Stefan Glaumann from Toytown Studios in Stockholm, Sweden, well known for his work with Rammstein, Europe, Within Temptation and Bon Jovi. The result of the co-operation, titled God's Equation, surpassed even the highest expectations. God's Equation was a musical giant consisting of groove, melody, intelligent heaviness and ambitious song writing. The album saw the band combine riffs that hit you in the face as well as catchy melodies and keyboard magic, with a production and mix that gave the band a unique sound, and landed on the Norwegian charts at position 14 (domestic releases) and 35 (international releases). 

Following the release of God's Equation, which the band celebrated by bringing the roof down at the ProgPower US festival in Atlanta, the band hit the road in November 2007 with legendary Prog Metal veterans FATES WARNING. This stint was followed by three weeks with BRAINSTORM in March 2008, and a week of UK dates with SONATA ARCTICA. After a successful appearance at the Waldrock festival in Holland in July 2008, the band headlined the ProgPower Europe festival and treated their fans to a more than two hour set, followed by another European tour in November 2008, once again playing direct support for SONATA ARCTICA.

In November 2008, PAGAN’S MIND recorded and filmed their stage action at Rockefeller Music Hall in Oslo. Titled Live Equation, this mind-blowing performance was released in September 2009 as a double DVD set.

The band embarked on a tour in the US and Canada with Stratovarius, after the participation at ProgPower US X in September, where PAGAN’S MIND was welcomed back to Atlanta as “returning heroes” for the festival’s 10 year anniversary.

In the fall of 2010, the band finished work on the new album, Heavenly Ecstasy, once again mixed in Toytown Studios, Stockholm by Stefan Glaumann. A new partner for future releases was found in SPV/Steamhammer.

TRACKLIST:

01. Contact 0:48
02. Eyes Of Fire 5:48
03. Intermission 5:41
04. Into The Aftermath 5:18
05. Walk Away In Silence 5:08
06. Revelation To The End 8:32
07. Follow Your Way 5:18
08. Live Your Life Like A Dream 5:55
09. The Master`s Voice 5:16
10. Never Walk Alone 6:09
11. When Angels Unite 2:03

LINE-UP:

Nils K. Rue – vocals
Jorn Viggo Lofstad – guitars
Ronny Tegner – guitars
Steinar Krokmo – bass
Stian Kristoffersen - drums