This is the fifth album from this collective of highly talented musicians from Norway. I own three of them and have enjoyed seeing them live twice, so it was a pleasure to receive their new work. Armed with a singer in Nils K. Rue whose voice is as clear and powerful as any, and a lead guitarist Jorn Viggo Lofstad who could make his instrument walk down the street if he wanted it to, Pagan’s Mind’s music seems to be in a semi-permanent state of climax and excitement. There’s never been any one element of their work. It’s melodic, Progressive in structure, it’s heavy, keyboard-laden, there are elements of Power Metal, and Classic Rock and it has the drama of a musical or a sound score.
It’s clear from the outset of “Heavenly Ecstasy” that Pagan’s Mind are going to take us to the heights once again. “Eyes of Fire” is instantly recognisable. Nil’s big voice is set in a colourful and melodic framework of the piano, intergalactic throughput and a chunky guitar riff. Nils is on top of the clouds. It’s then time for heavy guitar work and a sublime solo. If “Eyes of Fire” was good, then “Intermission” is even stronger. It starts with an exciting rock riff. Nils captures us again with that rich voice. This track is catchy and fun. After some instrumental shenanigans, there’s a break and we return to the pulsating chorus. Nils is on top of his range but he’s never going to burst his lungs. The mood changes for “Into the Aftermath”, whose heavy, dark and mobile beginning recall Mercenary. The drama unfolds. This is a smooth song with heavy undertones. It speeds up and appropriately the album titled is invoked: “heavenly ecstasy … carry away to the stars”. The track captures the all-embracing sound of Pagan’s Mind. Electro chaos leads to a quieter section. The drum re-creates an air of regularity. There are distorted vocals. “Into the Aftermath” takes us on another exciting journey. By contrast “Walk Away in Silence” doesn’t deviate so much from the core song. It has classic elements but most noticeably Power Metal, including an exhortation to “raise me up from the seven seas”.
What is impressive is the variety between tracks and within tracks. The 8 minute “Revelation to the End” is another voyage of exploration. After a rousing beginning, the vocalist takes centre stage to a heavy framework and envelops us with his expansive vocals. The drums bang out a memorable and catchy beat. The mix is very powerful. Creeping vocals intervene but we’re soon led back to the central drama. A bit of guitar indulgence takes us to another magnificent solo which fits in neatly with the sinister and edgy nature of this track. The track ends climactically. No opportunity to go large is missed. So it is with “Follow Your Way”. A combination of an entrancing keyboard-driven background and a deep thunderous rhythm provide the foil for a vocal display which is delicate, distorted, dark and above all dramatic. “Turn back time … find the pictures of life” … sophisticated guitar work cuts in. The track speeds up. It has layers and depth. We’re given a breather with “Live Your Life like a Dream”, a softer and more emotive number with good instrumentals.
The track of the album for me was “The Master’s Voice”. This is a new departure for Pagan’s Mind. It’s different and unusual. Classic in some ways, it’s fast and catchy but above all it’s imaginative. The drummer leads the merry witches’ dance while Nil’s vocals turn ghoulish. As usual there’s drama but it’s also crowd-pleasing as there’s a very special atmosphere to this most theatrical track. The drums roll and we’re led into the staggered, catchy chorus “I .. am .. strong for my master”. I could listen to “The Master’s Voice” over and over again. It would be a great live track. It’s dark, rocky and has all the musical variety and colour you come to expect from this band. Most of all it’s full of life. It only slows down to end menacingly. “When Angel’s Unite” provides a form of recovery with a quieter track. The piano taps out the rhythm. It’s a kind of ballad but thanks to the dominant production quality accentuating Nil’s voice, it has power and authority. The album ends with another classic Pagan’s Mind track “Never Walk Alone”. It’s edgy, melodic and exudes passion and depth. At the same time we’re back to Power Metal territory: “Let’s start climbing across the seven seas”. There’s an interlude with a rich guitar and keyboard combination. “Never Walk Alone” is smoothly delivered and is a fantasy-filled piece of Melodic Metal. More magical guitar work from Mr Lofstad ends the work on a high quality and suitably dreamy note.
Powerful and exciting are the two words I’d use to describe the memorable and appropriately titled “Heavenly Ecstasy”. There was so much of interest that I just didn’t want it to end. As is usual for a Pagan’s Mind work, it’s full of ideas, creativity and musical excellence. Be prepared to be taken to the heights.
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