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Every now and then, you know an album is going to be a bit special within seconds of it starting, and such is the case with Heavenly Ecstasy, the fifth studio release from melodic progressive metal act Pagan’s Mind.

Since debuting with Infinity Divine back in 2000, the Norwegians have been somewhat of a well-kept secret, rightly lauded by those in the know, but largely unknown on a wider scale. If there’s any justice, this release will rectify that state of affairs as it is a spectacular success.


Although the ever present comparisons to the likes of Dream Theater, Threshold and Symphony X remain valid, Heavenly Ecstasy is without doubt the least overtly progressive album to yet emerge from the quintet, instead being very much song-orientated with any technical flights of fancy neatly constrained within concise musical structures.

Highlighting weak links is difficult, as every one of the eleven tracks is loaded with fantastic musicianship and shimmering melodic power, whether in the pulsating rhythmic twists or the subtle guitar and keyboard interplay. This is an album founded on the classic eighties metal sound so well perfected by the likes of Savatage and Fates Warning, yet with more than enough contemporary crunch to make it very much a product of today.

Both the sprawling “Revelation To The End” and in particular the infectious “Walk Away In Silence” have more than a touch of classic Queensryche about them, while the sweeping “Follow Your Way” is an expert fusion of vaguely trance-like keyboards and state of the art modern metal, topped off – as are many of the songs – with some awesome lead guitar work from Jorn Viggo Lofstad.

And if that isn’t enough to convince you, let’s just point out that in Nils K. Rue, Pagan’s Mind also happens to have one of the very best metal vocalists around today. Engaging, passionate and melodic throughout, the man has a fine set of lungs and when he really lets loose the screams as on “Intermission,” the results are stunning.

Heavenly Ecstasy is the sound of a band at the top of their game and if you’ve ever harbored a love for melodic, progressive and above all, powerful metal, you need this album in your life.

(released May 31, 2011 on SPV Records)



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