Pagan's Mind
Epic Fest - 2025
Text: Tobias Nilsson Photo: Lunah Lauridsen
Day two of Epic Fest started out with a pleasant return from our brothers to the north, Norway’s Pagan’s Mind. The last time we saw them was at the ProgPower Scandinavia festival back in 2008. Ending my review from that time, I said I wouldn’t miss a chance at seeing the band again, and apparently I’ve kept true to that promise, because Pagan’s Mind haven’t played in Denmark once in the intervening years!
Back in 2008, they came by twice in one year though, so let’s see if that’ll become a tradition this year…
“It’s so great to see you all this early in the morning!”
- Nils K. Rue (vocals)
As it turned out, there were a few things that had already turned into tradition from that time. The band still opened with Osiris’ Triumphant Return, God’s Equation was still the most represented album on the setlist, and songs from Infinite Divine were still completely absent.
Another thing that struck me was that they hadn’t had any personnel changes, except for the tragic passing of guitarist Thorstein Aaby, and that was quite impressive for a band that was celebrating their 25th anniversary after all.
Anyway, as I mentioned the first song was Osiris’ Triumphant Return, but Pagan’s Mind did have an intro leading up to it, during which the musicians entered the stage in a calm and collected manner, and kindly greeted the assembled audience without making a big fuss about it. Rue didn’t show up until it was time for him to start singing, but he did enter with more energy and enthusiasm than the rest, calling out to the crowd with a big smile on his face, and in return also got a more enthusiastic response.
I’m not saying the rest of the band didn’t look happy about being here, they definitely did, but they were operating on a low energy level. Who knows, maybe it was because they were the first band out and it was still early in the day?
The crowd was quite calm and collected at this point as well, but did encourage the band with applause and whistling, and the fact that Rue reached his mic out towards them from time to time encouraged more participation from this side of the security fence as well - in short, both band and crowd got more into it as the show went along. It never reached any great heights, like say Fabio Lione or Ross The Boss, but it was far from disaster that had been Stratovarius. Pagan’s Mind delivered top quality when it came to the music however, which was tight, sounded well, and was on point at all times. Of the musicians, especially Jørn Viggo Lofstad seemed to have fun jamming, and during the instrumental track, everyone - with the possible exception of Steinar Krokmo - got a chance to shine in the spotlight.
After a nice, enjoyable show that delivered more for the ears than eyes, Rue finished up with a walk through the security pit where he greeted the closest fans, and when it was time for taking a bow, Stian Kristoffersen showed up with a bunch of both drumsticks and skins that he sent flying to the crowd.
A good way to start the day, even though I had expected a bit more from them.
Setlist:
Osiris’ Triumphant Return
Enigmatic Mission
Intermission
God’s Equation
United Alliance
The Celestine Prophecy
Instrumental
Walk Away In Silence
Alien Kamikaze
Through Osiris’ Eyes
Back in 2008, they came by twice in one year though, so let’s see if that’ll become a tradition this year…
“It’s so great to see you all this early in the morning!”
- Nils K. Rue (vocals)
As it turned out, there were a few things that had already turned into tradition from that time. The band still opened with Osiris’ Triumphant Return, God’s Equation was still the most represented album on the setlist, and songs from Infinite Divine were still completely absent.
Another thing that struck me was that they hadn’t had any personnel changes, except for the tragic passing of guitarist Thorstein Aaby, and that was quite impressive for a band that was celebrating their 25th anniversary after all.
Anyway, as I mentioned the first song was Osiris’ Triumphant Return, but Pagan’s Mind did have an intro leading up to it, during which the musicians entered the stage in a calm and collected manner, and kindly greeted the assembled audience without making a big fuss about it. Rue didn’t show up until it was time for him to start singing, but he did enter with more energy and enthusiasm than the rest, calling out to the crowd with a big smile on his face, and in return also got a more enthusiastic response.
I’m not saying the rest of the band didn’t look happy about being here, they definitely did, but they were operating on a low energy level. Who knows, maybe it was because they were the first band out and it was still early in the day?
The crowd was quite calm and collected at this point as well, but did encourage the band with applause and whistling, and the fact that Rue reached his mic out towards them from time to time encouraged more participation from this side of the security fence as well - in short, both band and crowd got more into it as the show went along. It never reached any great heights, like say Fabio Lione or Ross The Boss, but it was far from disaster that had been Stratovarius. Pagan’s Mind delivered top quality when it came to the music however, which was tight, sounded well, and was on point at all times. Of the musicians, especially Jørn Viggo Lofstad seemed to have fun jamming, and during the instrumental track, everyone - with the possible exception of Steinar Krokmo - got a chance to shine in the spotlight.
After a nice, enjoyable show that delivered more for the ears than eyes, Rue finished up with a walk through the security pit where he greeted the closest fans, and when it was time for taking a bow, Stian Kristoffersen showed up with a bunch of both drumsticks and skins that he sent flying to the crowd.
A good way to start the day, even though I had expected a bit more from them.
Setlist:
Osiris’ Triumphant Return
Enigmatic Mission
Intermission
God’s Equation
United Alliance
The Celestine Prophecy
Instrumental
Walk Away In Silence
Alien Kamikaze
Through Osiris’ Eyes
Pagan's Mind
