Pagan's Mind - God's Equation

Dear readers, this is a milestone. Tonight is the third time IÂ’ve reviewed a PaganÂ’s Mind album. No, IÂ’ve never reviewed more than two albums of a band. Normally I use the space on top of a review to introduce the artist, but does PaganÂ’s Mind really still need introduction? Â…Let me get back to you on that. I bet youÂ’re wondering why GodÂ’s Equation should be so special.
Laugh that thought away, ‘cause IÂ’m staring at you in disbelief right now. PaganÂ’s Mind continue right up their alley with catchy, yet complicated songs that combine the best of both power and progressive metal. After the atmospheric intro The Conception, The brilliant GodÂ’s Equation is a pounding opener for this fourth opus. Such is the case with PaganÂ’s Mind. They know how to combine heavy and melodic metal in a way other bands can only dream of. The perfect example for that is Atomic Firelight. This ground-razing track starts off fast and aggressive with thrashy drums, then immediately runs you over with distorted vocals. And what to think of the slow, dreamy Painted Skies that erupts in a battering blast fest near the end? Honestly, the surprises on this album are countless. We come across guitar solos that could have been written for a Rage Against The Machine record, for example. The poetic crossing of chaotic ranting like that into a melodic guitar solo, like in Painted Skies, forced a shiver down my spine. Fantastic. The best thing about it all is that PaganÂ’s Mind have set a new standard for their extremes when it comes to expanding the line between melody and aggressiveness. That which is melodic could become a tremor of pounding anger in a minute. You just have to admire the fact that it all comes so natural to them.  But not all that glitters, is gold. There is one song on this album whichÂ’s place on the disc is questionable. Dedicated fans will immediately know IÂ’m talking about United Alliance. What the hell is this song doing on a progressive metal album? ItÂ’s exhaling the stench of commercialism and looks like the gate to the big money, a backstab to the world of progpower! United Alliance is a catchy, melodic song that has nothing of the complexity weÂ’re used to of PaganÂ’s Mind. And thatÂ’s exactly what makes it so great, so fantastic. Genius, even. Yes, itÂ’s relatively simple, yes, it is fit for a wider audience. But does it make the song less good? Hell, no! ItÂ’s got power, soul and melodyÂ… It completely blew me away when I first heard it. I see IÂ’m running out of space here. I havenÂ’t even talked about the impressive David Bowie cover Hallo Spaceboy, the epic Oriris' Triumphant Return or the intriguing Spirit Starcruiser. ThereÂ’s so much I could talk about when it comes to disc, but I wonÂ’t keep you from running to the record store any longer. Ah, I nearly forgot. About that short band introductionÂ…

Formed in 2000, ruling in 2007.