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Pagan's Mind: Full Circle
 As you can see from the track listing below the boat is certainly being pushed out in terms of formats for Full Circle, the second live effort from Norwegian prog metallers Pagan's Mind. Sensationally, the centre-piece of Full Circle is a full run through of the classic Celestial Entrance album which is one of the greatest achievements is musical history as far as I am concerned (yep, I really like the album and I really like what they have done with it here as well.)
This is all the Pagan's Mind one could ever want…until the next album of new material which is long overdue. It's virtually faultless musically especially the beyond wonderful instrumental title track which is just brilliant although quite why somebody in the crowd thought it could be improved by whistling is quite beyond my comprehension. Jorn Viggo Lofstad – guitars, Ronny Tegner – keys, Steinar Krokmo – bass and Stian Kristoffersen – drums are all virtuosos on their instruments especially Lofstad (is there a guitar player with a better tone anywhere in the world?)but there is never a sense of over-indulgence as one finds sometimes – everything has a purpose, there's no showing off just for the sake of it.
Add the sensational vocals of Nils K. Rue on top and you have one of the most accomplished acts around today who deserve a much wider audience. The DVD of the show (which unusually was available for review) adds much to the package and I found watching the band's enjoyment of performance quite mesmerising. This is the best live release of the year by quite some distance.
Track Listing:
2CD / DVD
DVD
1.Approaching
2.Through Osiris' Eyes
3.Entrance Stargate
4....Of Epic Questions
5.Dimensions Of Fire
6.Dreamscape Lucidity
7.The Seven Sacred Promises
8.Back To The Magic Of Childhood I: Conception
9.Back To The Magic Of Childhood II: Exploring Life
10.In Brilliant White Light
11.Aegean Shores
12.The Prophecy Of Pleiades
13.New World Order
14.Intermission
15.Enigmatic Mission
16.Live Your Life Like A Dream
17.Hallo Spaceboy
18.Full Circle
19.Walk Away In Silence
20.Eyes Of Fire
21.God's Equation
22.United Alliance
CD1
1.Approaching
2.Through Osiris' Eyes
3.Entrance Stargate
4....Of Epic Questions
5.Dimensions Of Fire
6.Dreamscape Lucidity
7.The Seven Sacred Promises
8.Back To The Magic Of Childhood I: Conception
9.Back To The Magic Of Childhood II: Exploring Life
10.In Brilliant White Light
11.Aegean Shores
12.The Prophecy Of Pleiades
CD2
1.New World Order
2.Intermission
3.Enigmatic Mission
4.Live Your Life Like A Dream
5.Hallo Spaceboy
6.Full Circle
7.Walk Away In Silence
8.Eyes Of Fire
9.God's Equation
10.United Allianc
Blu-ray / 2CD
Blu-ray disc
1.Approaching
2.Through Osiris' Eyes
3.Entrance Stargate
4....Of Epic Questions
5.Dimensions Of Fire
6.Dreamscape Lucidity
7.The Seven Sacred Promises
8.Back To The Magic Of Childhood I: Conception
9.Back To The Magic Of Childhood II: Exploring Life
10.In Brilliant White Light
11.Aegean Shores
12.The Prophecy Of Pleiades
13.New World Order
14.Intermission
15.Enigmatic Mission
16.Live Your Life Like A Dream
17.Hallo Spaceboy
18.Full Circle
19.Walk Away In Silence
20.Eyes Of Fire
21.God's Equation
22.United Alliance
CD1
1.Approaching
2.Through Osiris' Eyes
3.Entrance Stargate
4....Of Epic Questions
5.Dimensions Of Fire
6.Dreamscape Lucidity
7.The Seven Sacred Promises
8.Back To The Magic Of Childhood I: Conception
9.Back To The Magic Of Childhood II: Exploring Life
10.In Brilliant White Light
11.Aegean Shores
12.The Prophecy Of Pleiades
CD2
1.New World Order
2.Intermission
3.Enigmatic Mission
4.Live Your Life Like A Dream
5.Hallo Spaceboy
6.Full Circle
7.Walk Away In Silence
8.Eyes Of Fire
9.God's Equation
10.United Alliance
Double Gatefold LP, coloured blue vinyl:
LP 1
Side 1:
1.New World Order
2.Intermission
Side 2:
1.Enigmatic Mission
2.Live Your Life Like A Dream
3.Hallo Spaceboy
LP 2
Side 1:
1.Full Circle
2.Walk Away In Silence
Side 2:
1.Eyes Of Fire
2.God's Equation
3.United Alliance
Added: November 28th 2015
Reviewer: Simon Bray
Score:  
Related Link: Band Facebook Page
Hits: 4560
Language: english
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| » SoT Staff Roundtable Reviews: |
Pagan's Mind: Full Circle
Posted by Steven Reid, SoT Staff Writer on 2015-11-28 10:51:32
My Score:
So how do you follow an ultra-positive review like that above from Simon? Well, by agreeing whole heartedly, Full Circle being a mighty statement from the ultra melodic progressive metal outfit Pagan's Mind. Yes, deciding on which format suits you best and offers the best value for money may well be a mine field, but invest you should, for this live collection shows a long underrated outfit at their very best.
The set-list is stunning, revolving around the Celestial Entrance album but encompassing selections from across the PM catalogue, while the performances and energy on stage are second to none. Choosing highlights is a little pointless, for there isn't a single moment where the intensity drops, or the standard of musicianship, or sound quality isn't of the highest order. Although I have to admit that I could easily listen to the "Eyes On Fire", "God's Equation" and "United Alliance" closing trio over and over and over. If however you need a negative to balance out my and Simon's ultra positive thoughts on this release, then if I'm being super picky, the excellent cover of David Bowie's "Hallo Spaceboy" (which PM did a studio version of on the God's Equation album) could have been dropped in favour of another of Pagan's many captivating original tracks. Although the use of the intro to Sabbath's "War Pigs" to offer a different slant to "New World Order", is clever indeed.
However, my favourite moment of this release? Well, just listen to the guy introducing the band to the audience at Prog Power 2014 at the very beginning of the set and tell me that when he squeals, squawks and shrieks the band's name, he isn't actually soiling himself! That's genuinely how excited he sounds to have Pagan's Mind on the stage and the band respond in kind.
Is this the best live release of 2015? It's no contest, Full Circle is magnificent.
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