My teenage years right there. My uncle knows them really well, they’re from Skien in Norway. So I got celestial entrance signed by everybody including Thorstein who sadly passed away. Been to a couple of rehearsals also. Killer band that should have been much much bigger 🤘🏻🤘🏻
Thanks again, Jason and Pete, for another Ranking The Albums episode. Like your other episode today, unfamiliar with this band prior to your discussion. Quick listening to some excerpts from your top choices make this a catalogue for me to listen to further.
I saw them open for Stratovarius 9-25-09, I wasn't familiar with them but was hella impressed! They played these nine songs: The Conception, God's Equation, United Alliance, Atomic Firelight, Hallo Spaceboy, Enigmatic Mission, Approaching, Through Osiris' Eyes, Alien Kamikaze. I see they only played nine US dates that tour, so very pleased to have seen them.
They really need to make a comeback. Fantastic players who can write compelling songs with great riffs. They can really bring it live, too. I haven't seen them live since 2007!
I would have loved to do this!!!! I LOVE THIS BAND!!!! Jorn Viggo Lofstad is in my top 5 guitarists. 5) Infinity Divine - my least favorite by far, but you can see some signs of the excellence to come in A New Beginning. These next four are all VERY close! 4) God's Equation - United Alliance is amazing! That chorus! PM come up with the best choruses. As Pete would say, more on that later. The outro to Spirit Starcruiser is my favorite outro of all time. Osiris Triumphant Return is winner for me as well. 3) Celestial Entrance - the one that started it all for me. Pandora of all things turned me on to Pagan's Mind. I was listening to my Dream Theater station many years ago, and Osiris' Eyes came on. What is THIS? Then later Entrance:Stargate, Dimensions of Fire, and my favorite on this album, Seven Sacred Promises - another amazing chorus. Great album 2) Heavenly Ecstasy - USed to be my #1. WHat a track list! LOVE Intermission, Follow Your Way, Never Walk Alone, Live Your Life Like a Dream, Eyes of Fire, The Power of Mindscape, and my favorite on the album, Walk Away in Silence. The choruses on Walk Away in Silence and Intermission are killer! 1) Enigmatic Calling - what an album! Enigmatic Mission is my favorite song of all time, any artist and any genre. I also love New World Order, Taken, Celestine Prophecy, Coming Home, Celestial Calling, Entrance to Infinity, Resurrection, and Supremacy, Our Kind. The latter being my favorite chorus of all time. The musicians are all top notch, Nils is an absolute beast, and their Full Circle DVD is a MUST WATCH! I cannot wait for their new release. Also, check out Jorn Viggo Lofstad's collaboration with Floor Jansen of Nightwish called Northward. The single "While Love Died" is amazing! This made me so happy! Thanks, Pete!!!
Pete, they did they play Progpower in 2009 and 2014 and they also did a few club dates at the same time in 2009 because they played at Jaxx’s in Springfield Virginia which I saw them live. They were absolutely great
The only album of theirs that I have owned or heard is 2002's Celestial Entrance. I like it, but haven't dug further into the catalog. That'll probably change after this video goes up.
Only have two (but have heard all 5): Enigmatic: Calling & Heavenly Ecstasy (which is pretty good & their fifth, I don't think they did anything after that). I don't really care much for anything off their other 3 releases which to me sound more like standard power metal & kinda blends into that landscape...I'm not big on Prog Metal in general but these guys are pretty good overall, they set themselves apart with their good vocals and the fact that they actually feature a lot of harmony/melody & variety, especially on Heavenly Ecstasy. My favorite Prog Metal bands are probably Haken & Pain Of Salvation (Daniel Gildenlow). Damn The Machine, Distorted Harmony, Poverty's No Crime are other good ones, so are OSI, Mullmuzzler, Abydos, Sithu Aye, Uli Jon Roth, some Tool & Vanden Plas. Dream Theater of course. So ranking these 5 is very easy for me: 1. Heavenly Ecstasy - by a mile 2. Enigmatic: Calling 3. The other three
Nice to see you rank Pagan's Mind's catalog. Great band. They have played ProgPower four times: 2003, 2007, 2009, 2014 5. Heavenly Ecstasy 4. Infinity Devine 3. God's Equation 2. Enigmatic: Calling 1. Celestial Entrance
Don't know this band, but sounds interesting. I like the science fiction Star Gate comparison. The singer sounds good. I'm not from NY, so forgive me for not knowing, but I hear Jason has a martial arts studio. My question is do you listen to this kind of music while working out?
I absolutely love this band! Albums 2,3, and 4 are incredible. 5th album is not quite my cup of tea! I’ve been waiting for a new album for a decade now!!
Pagans Mind are a good band. I’ve seen them live a couple of times, and one of my earlier bands played a gig with them in Oslo in 2010. Nice guys, and really good musicians.
Superb band, and Celestial Entrance is a masterpiece! Seen them live and I can confirm that Nils vocals are equally good on stage. He hits every high note.
For me Pagan's Mind's discog goes in one direction. Each album shows they have refined their songwriting to the point that while I agree Heavenly Ecstasy might not be super proggy the songs work better. THe melodies are really strong and the playing is heavy. I like the way the synths are used and the whole vibe is really positive. I have high hopes for a new record, but at this point I'm guessing that they've packed it in. Hope I'm wrong
I’m usually out of my league with most bands featured on this channel, but this time I do know Pagan's Mind since I’m into SF Rock. I was interested to hear Pete’s ranking of this group. Usually with Classic Rock, Pete and I have similar tastes, and he somewhat ranks albums like I do. When it comes to Metal or non-70s Prog catalogues I either don’t know the albums or only know a few of them. As I said this is one time I do know the body of work by the group being discussed, so I was interested in hearing Pete’s list. Would it more or less match how I rank the albums? It did. His top 3 are definitely my top 3. I’m not so sure about 4 & 5, since I haven’t listened to those albums as much, but I think even there I match his list because, I think I remember liking their most recent album the least.
Can you do your favorite bands or artists by country next month or so? With many countries representing the kind of music you show, I know there are at least 30 countries where there is at least 1 great band or artist .
Impossible for me to rank, every album is incredible, 5 stars. Maybe take a fraction of a point off "God's Equation" for the David Bowie cover which I don't care for and which should have been a bonus track at the end, not placed in the middle of the set.
I'll have to check out the Circus Maximus Ranking video as well
Watch their two DVDs, these guys are quality!
My first look at this band today
Excellent band! More people should know about them.
My teenage years right there. My uncle knows them really well, they’re from Skien in Norway. So I got celestial entrance signed by everybody including Thorstein who sadly passed away. Been to a couple of rehearsals also. Killer band that should have been much much bigger 🤘🏻🤘🏻
Thanks again, Jason and Pete, for another Ranking The Albums episode. Like your other episode today, unfamiliar with this band prior to your discussion. Quick listening to some excerpts from your top choices make this a catalogue for me to listen to further.
I listen and learn. Thank you guys !
I saw them open for Stratovarius 9-25-09, I wasn't familiar with them but was hella impressed! They played these nine songs: The Conception, God's Equation, United Alliance, Atomic Firelight, Hallo Spaceboy, Enigmatic Mission, Approaching, Through Osiris' Eyes, Alien Kamikaze. I see they only played nine US dates that tour, so very pleased to have seen them.
Jørn Viggo Lofstad is a brilliant guitarist. Both technically and melodically.
Jorn Viggo is a super nice guy and a killer guitar player. I was sad when he stopped making music with Jorn Lande.
The guitarist is brilliant! very technical, great solos, very complete player!
They really need to make a comeback. Fantastic players who can write compelling songs with great riffs. They can really bring it live, too. I haven't seen them live since 2007!
Yeah where the fuck are they??
I would have loved to do this!!!! I LOVE THIS BAND!!!! Jorn Viggo Lofstad is in my top 5 guitarists.
5) Infinity Divine - my least favorite by far, but you can see some signs of the excellence to come in A New Beginning.
These next four are all VERY close!
4) God's Equation - United Alliance is amazing! That chorus! PM come up with the best choruses. As Pete would say, more on that later. The outro to Spirit Starcruiser is my favorite outro of all time. Osiris Triumphant Return is winner for me as well.
3) Celestial Entrance - the one that started it all for me. Pandora of all things turned me on to Pagan's Mind. I was listening to my Dream Theater station many years ago, and Osiris' Eyes came on. What is THIS? Then later Entrance:Stargate, Dimensions of Fire, and my favorite on this album, Seven Sacred Promises - another amazing chorus. Great album
2) Heavenly Ecstasy - USed to be my #1. WHat a track list! LOVE Intermission, Follow Your Way, Never Walk Alone, Live Your Life Like a Dream, Eyes of Fire, The Power of Mindscape, and my favorite on the album, Walk Away in Silence. The choruses on Walk Away in Silence and Intermission are killer!
1) Enigmatic Calling - what an album! Enigmatic Mission is my favorite song of all time, any artist and any genre. I also love New World Order, Taken, Celestine Prophecy, Coming Home, Celestial Calling, Entrance to Infinity, Resurrection, and Supremacy, Our Kind. The latter being my favorite chorus of all time.
The musicians are all top notch, Nils is an absolute beast, and their Full Circle DVD is a MUST WATCH! I cannot wait for their new release. Also, check out Jorn Viggo Lofstad's collaboration with Floor Jansen of Nightwish called Northward. The single "While Love Died" is amazing!
This made me so happy! Thanks, Pete!!!
They have a full 4k concert on UA-cam! Thanks for doing this, Pagan's Mind are a fantastic band! Hopefully they put out new stuff soon.
Thanks for the two ranking shows Jason and Pete. I'll be checking out the number one albums from both Circus Maximus and Pegan's Mind.
A couple live dvds out there 💯🔥
ONE OF THE MOST UNDERRATED BANDS EVER! I love all their albums. Please come and play Germany! Spirit Starcruiser is mindblowing!
My heart skipped a beat when I saw the title. Love the band and the Stargate connection.
Pete, they did they play Progpower in 2009 and 2014 and they also did a few club dates at the same time in 2009 because they played at Jaxx’s in Springfield Virginia which I saw them live. They were absolutely great
The only album of theirs that I have owned or heard is 2002's Celestial Entrance. I like it, but haven't dug further into the catalog. That'll probably change after this video goes up.
Only have two (but have heard all 5): Enigmatic: Calling & Heavenly Ecstasy (which is pretty good & their fifth, I don't think they did anything after that). I don't really care much for anything off their other 3 releases which to me sound more like standard power metal & kinda blends into that landscape...I'm not big on Prog Metal in general but these guys are pretty good overall, they set themselves apart with their good vocals and the fact that they actually feature a lot of harmony/melody & variety, especially on Heavenly Ecstasy. My favorite Prog Metal bands are probably Haken & Pain Of Salvation (Daniel Gildenlow). Damn The Machine, Distorted Harmony, Poverty's No Crime are other good ones, so are OSI, Mullmuzzler, Abydos, Sithu Aye, Uli Jon Roth, some Tool & Vanden Plas. Dream Theater of course.
So ranking these 5 is very easy for me:
1. Heavenly Ecstasy - by a mile
2. Enigmatic: Calling
3. The other three
They are all 🤘I hope they aren't done the last album was more than a decade ago
On their You tube channel you can check out all their albums
Nice guys. Great band. Love those first three albums
One of my Favorite Progressive Metal acts, Pete that don't get enough credit
I’ll need to watch again as I spent all my time watching Jason’s judo videos, cool
Nice to see you rank Pagan's Mind's catalog. Great band. They have played ProgPower four times: 2003, 2007, 2009, 2014
5. Heavenly Ecstasy
4. Infinity Devine
3. God's Equation
2. Enigmatic: Calling
1. Celestial Entrance
1) Celestial Entrance
2) Infinity Divine
3) Enigmatic: Calling
4) Heavenly Ecstasy
5) God's Equation
Don't know this band, but sounds interesting. I like the science fiction Star Gate comparison. The singer sounds good. I'm not from NY, so forgive me for not knowing, but I hear Jason has a martial arts studio. My question is do you listen to this kind of music while working out?
I'd say this singer's easily near the top of the prog metal heap
I absolutely love this band! Albums 2,3, and 4 are incredible. 5th album is not quite my cup of tea! I’ve been waiting for a new album for a decade now!!
Pagans Mind are a good band. I’ve seen them live a couple of times, and one of my earlier bands played a gig with them in Oslo in 2010. Nice guys, and really good musicians.
I challenge SoT to review the albums of Ningen Isu. It will be a fun process!
They do a smoking cover of King Diamond 'At the Graves'.
Superb band, and Celestial Entrance is a masterpiece! Seen them live and I can confirm that Nils vocals are equally good on stage. He hits every high note.
FYI, seen the band multiple times, Nils sounds as powerful as on cd, maybe a little rougher.
For me Pagan's Mind's discog goes in one direction. Each album shows they have refined their songwriting to the point that while I agree Heavenly Ecstasy might not be super proggy the songs work better. THe melodies are really strong and the playing is heavy. I like the way the synths are used and the whole vibe is really positive. I have high hopes for a new record, but at this point I'm guessing that they've packed it in. Hope I'm wrong
I'm with you, for me the songs on Heavenly Ecstasy work the best. Big prog metal fans probably don't enjoy them so much
I’m usually out of my league with most bands featured on this channel, but this time I do know Pagan's Mind since I’m into SF Rock. I was interested to hear Pete’s ranking of this group. Usually with Classic Rock, Pete and I have similar tastes, and he somewhat ranks albums like I do. When it comes to Metal or non-70s Prog catalogues I either don’t know the albums or only know a few of them. As I said this is one time I do know the body of work by the group being discussed, so I was interested in hearing Pete’s list. Would it more or less match how I rank the albums? It did. His top 3 are definitely my top 3. I’m not so sure about 4 & 5, since I haven’t listened to those albums as much, but I think even there I match his list because, I think I remember liking their most recent album the least.
I believe they played Prog Power twice. In the late 2000s, 2007 I think, and in 2014.
For those interested they have full live shows on their You tube channel
Check out their 2015 full circle DVD/album release.
Live from headline at prog power.
Can you do your favorite bands or artists by country next month or so?
With many countries representing the kind of music you show, I know there are at least 30 countries where there is at least 1 great band or artist .
My favorite band Pagans mind Circus Maximus is my second Adagio is third Thy Majestie forth Symphony x
I need to relisten to them all, but I have listened to God's Equation the most.
Will the record a new album?
Impossible for me to rank, every album is incredible, 5 stars. Maybe take a fraction of a point off "God's Equation" for the David Bowie cover which I don't care for and which should have been a bonus track at the end, not placed in the middle of the set.
Check Serbian genius band " Block Out " . Only four albums , not in English .
5. Heaven'y Ecstasy
4. Infinity Devine
3. Enigmatic: Calling
2. Celestial Entrance
1. God's Equation
Pagans Mind is the greatest band to come out in the past 20 years. They are ALL super proficient musicians.