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Band page - Pagan´s Mind
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| Thursday, September 27, 2007 - Pagan´s Mind to open for Fates Warning in Europe | Pagan's Mind has been confirmed as special guests for Fates Warning's European tour in November. The dates are:
Nov. 10 - Boerderij - Zoetermeer, Netherlands
Nov. 11 - Batschkapp - Frankfurt, Germany
Nov. 12 - Markthalle - Hamburg, Germany
Nov. 14 - Rockfabrik - Ludwigsburg, Germany
Nov. 15 - Live Music Hall - Köln, Germany
Nov. 16 - Bosuil - Weert; Netherlands
Nov. 17 - Lantaarn - Helendoorn, Netherlands
The band will release their new album, "God's Equation", on November 9 in Europe and January 15 in the U.S. The CD was recorded by Espen Mjøen at his Mediamaker Studio in Skien, Norway, and mixed at Toy Town Studios in Stockholm by Stefan Glaumann (Rammstein). A limited release "God's Equation" will include a bonus disc with 6 extra tracks, and MPEG video clip, poster, sticker and wallpaper.
PAGAN'S MIND will perform at this year's ProgPower USA VIII festival, set to take place October 5-6 at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia. The band will record their set for a possible DVD release, as well as perform as the backing band at the all star jam that will close this ProgPower event.
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Band Profile
What is your name and your current position in the band?
Jorn Viggo Lofstad -Guitarplayer - co songwriter and producer
How would you categorize the style of the band? And did you ever consider or try playing other styles of music than the one(s) you are playing now?
Pagans Mind is a metalband with progressive elements and guess we just play the music that is natural for us to play so no need to do something else :)
What is your latest album and why should people buy it?
Well i would say its a damn cool album and im super happy with it. Good songs, good individual performances, good production, interesting lyrics, cool artwork and its a journey in the way that there is a lot of different type of songs all the way without the band loosing any identity. Seems like a good reason to me ;)
Tell us about the history of the band. More specifically, when was the band formed, how did you meet, and have there been any particular highlights or low points in your career, any crucial events that have taken you where you are today?
It was basicly the merging of two bands, one with Nils;Stian and Thorstein (ex guitarplayer) and the other with Steinar,Ronny and myself but im abit lazy here so ill paste some general info bout the history of the band;)
PAGAN'S MIND are talented - you could already notice that on their debut album 'Infinity Divine', released 2000. At that time, this album was produced by no lesser than TNT guitar player Ronny Le Tekro. Within the scene, the album -released on a small label- became a fast-selling item and got excellent reviews. The band, established by Nils K. Rue (vocals), Stian Kristoffersen (drums) and Thorstein Aaby (guitar), operated as a sextet from the beginning until after the release of the second album. Encouraged by the success of their debut album, the band started immediately to work on new material for the next one, 'Celestial Entrance', which was produced by successful producer and at the same time DREAM EVIL guitarist Fredrik Nordström (among others, HAMMERFALL, ARCH ENEMY, IN FLAMES...). On this album, the sextet deepens its progressive style partially based upon DREAM THEATER, QUEENSRYCHE or RUSH, but topping the whole thing off with filigree Power Metal elements, enthralling melodies, and exciting arrangements. 2002, these facts lead to a cooperation with Limb Music Products: the company released 'Celestial Entrance' in the fall of the same year. The cooperation even intensifies, and 2004 band and label decide to rerelease the debut album 'Infinity Divine' due to growing demand. Completely overhauled and remixed by Tommy Hansen, the album contains a propulsive cover version of the KING DIAMOND classic 'At The Graves' as a bonus, and a newly recorded version of 'Embracing Fear' - as illustrious guests for that song, the band could win over Gus G. (FIREWIND) and Glen Dover (MEGADETH, EIDOLON).
The final mix of the third album 'enigmatic : calling' was done in well-proven cooperation with Fredrik Nordström in his Studio Fredman in Gothenburg. On this album, the band sounds more melodic, yet at the same time harder. The opus, to be understood as a concept album dealing with the origin of mankind and the possibility of modern mankind being a creation of an alien intelligence thousands of years ago, is brimming with unique song structures. It took over one year of work, and after its release in 2005, PAGAN'S MIND got the chance to play on prestigious festivals such as ProgPower Europe Festival, Sweden Rock Festival, Rjukan Rock, and Norwegian Rock Festival. 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, they even played 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 support for that plan: Stefan Glaumann in Toytown Studios / Stockholm (Glaumann is well-known for his productions with RAMMSTEIN which sold millions of copies). The result of the cooperation is called 'God's Equation' and surpasses even high expectations. The band around vocal talent Nils K. Rue has been able to improve itself yet another time, has applied all experiences of the past years precisely, and seems like exchanged. The band presents itself highly dynamic, extremely eager to play and keen on experimenting. The songs on 'God's Equation' seem effortless, very flowing, but nevertheless you notice that there is a lot of heart and soul and intellect in them. Songs like the classic monumental, really superb 'Osiris' Triumphant Return' with almost nine minutes length is one of the climaxes of this entertaining Progressive Metal album, bearing all trademarks for a classic. Due to the crystal clear, very transparent and hard production, songs like 'United Alliance', or the modern-experimental 'Atomic Firelight' do really 'explode'. The guitar wall is absolutely voluminous and shapes the whole album. With 'God's Equation', PAGAN'S MIND have created an album which doesn't need to hide behind the big, monumental works of the scene leaders.
The first edition of the album will be released as a limited edition 2-disc version in a paperboard slipcase with a poster. The second CD contains six bonus songs, four of them from the 2001 demo, which later were released as overhauled versions on 'Celestial Entrance' . Furthermore, a live version of 'Search For Life' can be found on it, and the so far unreleased track 'Shining Eternally'. The CD is completed by a video clip for 'Atomic Firelight', and various wallpapers of the band.
Without exaggeration, 'God's Equation' is one of the most intense, fundamental and outstanding albums released by Limb Music Products so far. PAGAN'S MIND, the future of innovative Metal? Without any doubt.
I would say some of the highlights would be the Sweden Rock Festivals we have done, also the PPUSA gigs, every album we released has been a highlight awell, in general gigs are what drives us, the downside is the studio time, none of us enjoy that very much but its a nessaseary evil !
Was there ever a time when you wondered if your band would remain just a local outfit and never make it in the industry?
Sure, until i started with Pagans Mind and also Jorn I didnt plan to give "everything" for the music like i do now. But my love and passion for writing songs and playing music have allways been there, but the latest 7 years of my life i've put the music first :)
Can you share with us one or two of your favourite moments with the band?
First time on SRF playing for 5000 people, wow what a feeling and its very special the first times u do that.hehe and also the cardrive home from Fredman studio in 2002 listening to Celestial Entrance beeing so proud with the result and realizing what a huge step we had taken from our debu.
How is the writing process in the band?
We write all the songs together as a band on rehersals, jamming etc and then we work more in details with the ideas we find interesting, offcourse feks Ronny or me can come up with a part or an idea and introduce it to the others in the band but its no oneman show regarding the songwriting, we do it together.
What brought you on the path to becoming a musician? Did you ever consider or take any other paths through life besides music?
I have allways since I was born been crazy about music, but beeing a restless boy a piano etc was not the thing for me but when i was introduced to an electric guitar with distorted sound i was sold !:) Well i have a dayjob aswell but my main priorities are playing in Pagans Mind and Jorn. Guess besides maybe wanting to also play football as a teenager I never considered any other direction.
Do you have any idols? If yes, who?
Van Halen,Deep Purple,Pink Floyd,Dio,Pantera,Rammstein,Toto etc are bands that have inspired me over the years ,also guitar players like David Gilmour,Eddie Van Halen, Ronni Le Tekro,Marius Muller among so many others
Do you have any regrets looking back at your career? For example any songs or even full albums that you regret recording? If so, what made you regret it?
Think the only thing i regret is that i did not give full attention to the music allready from the age of 20 , when the first pm album came out. I was 26 and that was the moment the music got my full attention. Guess there are some songs on out debut that I don't like so much but then again it was mainly old songs from Stian and Nils band Silverspoon and not stuff written by the band but its nothing to regret , it was the exciting beginning of our journey and there are absolutely a couple of cool songs there as well.
Are there particular songs in your catalogue that the fans love but you're not particular fond of yourself?
Guess its certain songs on our debut album i don't like very much and i guess its people that for instance want to hear the more "sing along german powermetal songs" that was on that album and that is very far from the stuff i like. I'd choose Pantera over for instance Raphsody any day !!
How important do you rate the lyrical side of your albums?
Personally i guess i think the overall feeling of the song and the melody thats beeing sung is more important than the lyrics but when that beeing said in Pagans Mind the lyrics and concept is very important . We try to make the overall feel of the music, artwork and lyrics blend perfectly together.
What do you think about the state of the music industry today?
The industry being labels etc absolutely dont have the power they once had, mostly cause of the above mentioned downloading problem etc, i think there will be changes in a few years, the record sales for every label is in general seriously going down. Big Festival Generals are probalbly one of the most powerful people in the Metal Industry today.
What do you think is the best way to fight music piracy?
I have no idea, its a shame people dont buy the albums instead of downloading, and for smaller bands its often a "to be or not to be" but of course its not only negative sides about people downloading but if i could choose it would be much better if people actually bought the stuff instead of stealing it ..
Do you have a life philosophy? If yes, what is it?
I do not have a strict life philosophy but i guess i try to treat people in the way i want to be treated myself.
Can you describe a typical day in your life?
Last year has almost only been work from morning till bedtime but a typical day would be, work during the day, eighter bandstuff/rehersals in the evening or, relax at home/visit friends watch movies eat nice food in the evening, but i guess its not so many typical days in my life right now hehe
What do you like to spend your time with besides music?
To be with family and friends, i looove movies ! Nice food, some beers on a saturday night,u know just ordinary stuff ! :)
What's the craziest thing that has ever happened on a tour?
That must be the time when both Steinar and Ronny where totaly sober on the same gig ;) lol......
You're heading off to live on a deserted island for a couple of years with your portable entertainment system... Which albums, movies or books would you bring? (Max. 3 of each)
Movies : Pay It Forward , The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy and maybe Austin Powers Goldmember hehe..
Albums : Van Halen 1984,Pink Floyd the 1987 live album and Deep Purple's Machine Head.
Books : Im pretty restless and its been a looong time since i read anything but newspapers and magazines but guess i should bring some stuff cause it would be alot of time to kill lol, so u hook me up with something ;)
What is your favourite joke?
Come on Ketchup ;)
Can you tell us about any future plans for you and your band?
In 2008 we will tour and do as many gigs as possible, festivals in the summer, we will also record and film some gigs for a future DVD wich probably will be released in 2009.Other then that there is a new Jorn slbum coming out in may and it will be called Lonely Are The Brave and a European tour with Jorn will take place in october. Also ive started to write some songs with Floor Jansen of After Forever so lets see what comes out of that 2 ! :)
Thanks for answering these questions. Now you are free to write a few lines to our readers.
Well hope to see as many as possible of u at a Pagans Mind gig during 2008 ! :) Thanks for all the support and be good to yr neighbour hehe!
Added by Steen - 2/6/2008
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Album Review - Celestial Entrance
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Album Review - Enigmatic: Calling
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Band Information - Band Information
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