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, whose latest album is the progressive masterpiece God's Equation,released in November 2007. The Norwegian quintet 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 and keyboard magic, 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 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.
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. 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,
well known for its work with RAMMSTEIN, PARADISE LOST, WITHIN TEMPTATION and BON JOVI. The result of the co-operation, God's Equation,
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. With God's Equation, PAGAN'S MIND prove that they take no second place to the big, monumental works of the scene leaders.
Following the release of God's Equation, which the band celebrated by bringing the roof down at the ProgPower US festival in Atlanta, Pagan’s Mind
have worked hard to support the latest album, and in November 2007 the band hit the road with legendary Prog Metal veterans Fates Warning. This
stint was followed by three weeks with German band Brainstorm in March 2008, and a week of UK dates with Sonata Arctica from Finland.
After a successful appearance at the Waldrock festival in Holland in July 2008, the band is currently shaping up for the ProgPower Europe and
Scandinavia festivals in October and yet another European tour in November 2008, once again playing direct support for Sonata Arctica. This will take the
band into 2009, with plans to intensify the hard work and keep recording and playing live for the ever increasing number of fans all over the world.
This is probably Christopher Lee's last album: he will be 88 soon - although with his energy, he might well reach 100!! :)
We do appreciate your support. If you haven't already done so, please check the samples we have uploaded for "Charlemagne: By the Sword and the Cross".
we are pleased to invite you to join Myhybris' page on Facebook! Come in and get crispy news, exclusive photos and videos, keep in touch with the band and its other fans just by clicking here:
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! ... With live concert at the metal bar, På Hjørnet, Kristiansand. It will be a kick ass show, hope to see you there!
Hi there Pagans , you guys are the best - Great to be friends - hope you like what you hear from our Europe/Japan release , "Infinite Stargaze"! Have a Rockin week. Cheers /Michael
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