All Interviews
Pagan's Mind
Pagan's Mind
Posted on Jul 24, 2005
by Anders
I discovered this Norwegian band when the released their last album "Celestial Entrance", which took me by storm. Pagan's Mind is now ready with their new and third album "Enigmatic : Calling", yet again a powerful and well played album, delivering very listenable and beautiful music. The band is getting closer and closer to becoming a frontrunner of the melodic progressive power metal genre. There has been a lot of development in the band since the start, the band has become very popular and have just played the Sweden Rock Festival and will soon go to England to play at their Prog Power festival. I hooked up with singer extraordinaire Nils K. Rue and got answers to all my curious questions.
Hey there, how are things in Norway?
HOT for a change, so we're all enjoying the summer heat for the small amount of time we have it here. Puts the energy back!!
Will you start off by introducing yourself and tell us why you play metal?
My name is Nils K. Rue, I'm the lead singer of Norway's Power Progressive metal band Pagan's Mind.
You are ready with your 3rd album "Enigmatic : Calling", how has it so far been received by the press and your fans?
We have felt the feedback the last past 2 years more strongly than earlier in our career, and these days a lot of musicians from Norway start to play melodic/progressive/power metal because they have seen that we have gained success. Kind of starting up a new trend, which I think is good since Norway always have been known for black metal. Of course, there can always be more success and we are not "there" yet of course, there is still a long way, but things are certainly starting to get better. We have received a lot more attention now than ever, which is good. Hitting the official charts on #15 here in Norway was good. Only Dimmu Borgir and Satyricon has done that before us. The fans and press has given us top scores all over.
How do you feel about the album?
Very good. It was a long process for us this time trying to top or at least do something as good as the last time. At the same time trying not to repeat ourselves, can be a long process. We ditched about 80% of the material we originally had, cutting off everything that we felt was not 100%. We are hard working and focused on quality I believe, and I feel we have delivered an even stronger album this time.
When you started to write music for the new album, what did you then want to end up with?
That's just it – we didn't try to aim for something (except for the above mentioned, doing a very good album) this or that, we just made songs in the faith and belief of doing strong melodic songs – how they would turn out wasn't planned at all. We just write, we wrote the music and it turned out as it did. Maybe just the concept/the art profile were somewhat more planned. So no "hey, let’s make a fast aggressive song" or "hey, we need a ballad", it all comes naturally!
Did you accomplish the goals and hopes you had for the albums, before you started to make it?
We made a pre-production demo for the album which gave us pretty good guidelines for how we wanted the whole thing to turn out. I believe we reached most musical goals and ideas compared to the demo. Actually we re-arranged a lot also to the better during the real recording. That's the good idea behind such a demo – being able to see which musical adjustments there are needed to be taken.
What do a great album and a great song consist of in your opinion?
Contrasts, emotions, a great production or sound, good lyrics – an interesting theme or topic, good cover artwork – if it makes my arms get goose bumps it's totally right- like Dream Theater's "Images And Words" or the track 'Take The Time'. If I had to pull out one of our own songs, that gives me the same feeling as the mentioned Dream Theater material, I would have to pick 'The Celestine Prophecy' from our latest album.
What do inspire you when you write music?
Movies and books inspire me, the sound of the wind in the leaves and branches of trees, the sound of waves, a sparkling night sky, a strange deja vu, visions, nature and dreams. And all kinds of music. Usually there is an emotion starting off the process of a Pagan's Mind song (which one or more in the band comes up with), and then we start working with it all together. If I get goose bumps when it's nearly finished, it's right and we might keep it! A Pagan's Mind song to me is a great puzzle and everybody in the band contributes in putting it together, starting off with one single piece coming from maybe one person and the other 999 pieces are made by the whole band together. I always make the lyrics as the last step, as the melodies always are the most important thing and shouldn't come in second place. The lyrics are more easily born when the emotions and "images" I get in my head of the song already are there....
Can you pull out 5 bands/artists and 5 albums/songs that have meant a lot to you personally and for your way of writing/thinking music?
King Diamond "Them" – 'Coming Home': The spiritual influences. Dream Theater "Images And Words" – 'Take The Time': The fantastic music, the visions popping up in my head whilst listening. Mercyful Fate "Don't Break The Oath" – 'A Dangerous Meeting': Again spiritual influences. Lost Horizon "Awakening The World" – 'Heart Of Storm': Makes my will to do anything and face all fears so much stronger, builds up my self-esteem. And last I have Secret Garden "Dawn Of A New Century": Meditation music which makes the soul fly on its own and discover other spheres and dimensions.
How do you write music, do you have to be in a certain environment, mood or anything like that?
All moods are represented when writing music, but I believe staring at a starlit sky, listening to the waves, the wind in the branches of trees and dreaming/sleeping is the "environments" that cranks up my creative nerve – it's nothing like I seek those environments to force myself to write – that would never work anyway, I simply record my emotions or ideas in the back of my head when they come – naturally!
How do you know when you have hit the nail with a song, riff etc?
When the joy is on peak or my body gets goose bumps all over. When I feel like I'm on top of the world, invincible or whatever haha! I just feel STRONG, and then it's absolutely right.
How do you make the music in the band, do you all come with bits and pieces and assemble the songs at rehearsals… or?
This band is at times a mix-up of very different personalities, all with the gift of "creative overkill", to be honest we ditched about 80% of the riffs and ideas before shaping and building the song structures on "Enigmatic : Calling". There are powers within the band (as for instance Ronny Tegner, keyboards) that are educated professionally in music, and that helps out a lot. I don't think there are a lot of bands using a blackboard in the rehearsal studio, haha! We build the song structures up piece by piece and very little is coincidental. That really is the only way to make this kind of music work properly, and sound good at the same time. If we manage to create in this matter and pace, it would be great, but I also believe you always have to work and try harder to maintain a good band and not "losing". I don't fear that at all in this band because, like I said everybody has such good ideas all the time, and with the internal high sense of criticism upon ourselves. I think we will be able to ditch and sort out the worst "used-before" riffs and ideas till next time as well. Having said that, I have worked hard of course with the vocal lines and the lyrics, and in my opinion that is the only way to make things work out good. We're really an ambitious bunch of guys, and no one is of the opinion that things ever come for free. Hard work and aiming the right goals, "thinking like a winner" makes this band inspiring and fun to be part of.
I haven't been lucky enough to have read the lyrics for your new album, yet, but from judging from the song titles, I guess you are touching some of the bigger questions in life as always. Do you care to guide us through your lyrical universe?
I write all the lyrics and also stand for the concepts and ideas around them. I have always been very interested in "the unknown" and the use of terminology in lyrics is very important to me, because that creates the poetic touch to it that I believe adds the right "sophisticated" feel to it. English is a language with such many words to describe one single thing, and I prefer using a term with class to it rather than the "simple" ones.
The concept is based on mysticism, ethereal questions in space and time, alternative ways of philosophy around questions about life. In general we try to add a sophisticated "overlooking" way of expressing the concept and lyrics, never "telling anyone"....it's like it's up to everyone to figure out for themselves what the lyrics may contain and if they mean something to the individual listener. "Enigmatic : Calling" is partly a concept-album inspired by questions around extra-terrestrial life, parallel dimensions and the fact that human beings have been seeing strange objects in the sky for thousands of years......and still ignoring them.
I have to speak for myself when it comes to personal interest in these topics though, everybody in the band has different opinions on this and that, but since I write lyrics and concept, you will notice some of my own personal beliefs and ideas. I have been interested in different aspects of mysticism since I was a little boy, and think I always will be. I have experienced several strange episodes during my life, and some of those inspire me when I write lyrics. I am personally convinced that we can't see everything around us. We can't see electricity, but it exists. We can't see radio waves either, but that also exists. Either way I think these topics are a very exciting deep well of inspiration. Note that I personally prefer the "positive powers", though I can write and sing/express all aspects of them!
Is there a concept behind your albums, both the single albums and the 3 albums as a whole?
There are strong concepts on each of the three albums, and together they form a trilogy - which contains some of the same characters, places and messages. They all talk together and fit nicely together, but are going back in time – the last album is the first story in the trilogy.
Where do you find inspiration to write the lyrics?
The night sky, stars, nature, wilderness, books, films, other lyrics, music, you name it – almost everything everywhere around me. The creation in it self is such an inspiration because nothing can match it – it's the greatest wonder of them all. Just look at the human body! Magnificent to the core.
Will you tell us the idea and thought behind the album title "Enigmatic : Calling"?
Encrypted, hidden messages, a riddle. That's the "Enigmatic". The "Calling" is the message coming from a far galaxy… The calling is enigmatic – it's encrypted, a riddle left for us humans to solve. It's also a mind-fire starter, to try to see the hidden signs all around us, they are everywhere.
How did you come up with the idea for the cover artwork for the album, and what are your thoughts behind it?
I wanted to keep the "goddess" in focus of the cover artwork but this time more human-like, she is kind of a "messenger, bringing the secret codes and wisdom from space", followed by a lot of encrypted codes flying around her. Ever saw the movie Contact with Jodie Foster? A lot of the album concept is based upon ideas in that film. I wanted to make something I felt built up around the concept of the movie, and I also think I did.
If you look back to when the band started and up till now, how would you describe the progression of the band and the music?
The progression has been very fast I believe, at least musically. From year 2000 when we first got together and until now we have grown extremely much as musicians, gotten to know so many people in the business, experienced so much – really grown in every aspect. Merging from more straight based power metal on our debut through the progressive second album and to this (as some have said) more "mature" album I think we have really found ourselves, but also, we did every album in good faith.
How far do you think you can take Pagan's Mind progression-wise?
We just want to make good music and good songs, and I believe we have extremely much to give. Many more albums, I am pretty sure!
How important is it for you to keep focus on the "good song" and not make it all progressive wanking? It seems like it is an important deal for you, to make good and catchy songs.
It is extremely important. We make music to make good songs, not premature wanking. We could play almost any difficult song, structure or whatever, we have proved it and don't have to show off at all. We're musically capable of anything. A good song with good melody is always the most important. Progressive "wanking" as you call it bores me to death. You know, think of this: How can it be called progressive when everything contains odd rhythm patterns? It's not progressive at all (the TERM progressive means contrasts – not doing the same stuff over and over again) If 4/4 is forbidden you are all of a sudden not progressive anymore at all! Progression are contrasts, which means mixing all types of moods and emotions – not just frenzy wanking.
How do you feel about being put as the successors to lift the heritage of TNT and Conception?
Proud, very proud! Those bands inspired us big time and I have a great fan since I remember.
How far do you see yourself from reaching the state TNT and Conception had on their respective hey days?
TNT – a bit, hehe, since they were on a major label, had airplay on MTV and toured the whole world. Man, they were hitting the charts everywhere. They breaked when the 80's metal were commercial music – POP music, so everyone knew them. I doubt that we will reach what they did.
Conception – I believe we almost have (or soon will) surpass them. They did well, but didn't sell millions of albums as TNT. I don't think they got THAT kind of a commercial breakthrough.
You recently played at Sweden Rock Festival, how was that experience and how did the audience react towards your music?
Absolutely fantastic – nearly 8000 people and we broke the stage audience record for that particular stage, fans everywhere, great reviews, and a fantastic experience! The crowd was WILD. We could easily notice that Pagan's Mind has more fans now than two years ago, the last time we played there, there were twice as many in the audience this time!
How do you look upon the future of Pagan's Mind?
I believe this band has an enormous potential and could do most anything. It's my greatest love in life and I want it to go all the way. Seriously – this band has made a lot of my dreams come true so far, and I really thing more are to come. A lot of fantastic years are ahead of us.
Will you share your 5 all time favourite albums with us?
King Diamond -Them
Mercyful Fate -Don’t Break The Oath
Metallica - Master Of Puppets
Beatles - Abbey Road
Lost Horizon - Awakening The World
HOT for a change, so we're all enjoying the summer heat for the small amount of time we have it here. Puts the energy back!!
Will you start off by introducing yourself and tell us why you play metal?
My name is Nils K. Rue, I'm the lead singer of Norway's Power Progressive metal band Pagan's Mind.
You are ready with your 3rd album "Enigmatic : Calling", how has it so far been received by the press and your fans?
We have felt the feedback the last past 2 years more strongly than earlier in our career, and these days a lot of musicians from Norway start to play melodic/progressive/power metal because they have seen that we have gained success. Kind of starting up a new trend, which I think is good since Norway always have been known for black metal. Of course, there can always be more success and we are not "there" yet of course, there is still a long way, but things are certainly starting to get better. We have received a lot more attention now than ever, which is good. Hitting the official charts on #15 here in Norway was good. Only Dimmu Borgir and Satyricon has done that before us. The fans and press has given us top scores all over.
How do you feel about the album?
Very good. It was a long process for us this time trying to top or at least do something as good as the last time. At the same time trying not to repeat ourselves, can be a long process. We ditched about 80% of the material we originally had, cutting off everything that we felt was not 100%. We are hard working and focused on quality I believe, and I feel we have delivered an even stronger album this time.
When you started to write music for the new album, what did you then want to end up with?
That's just it – we didn't try to aim for something (except for the above mentioned, doing a very good album) this or that, we just made songs in the faith and belief of doing strong melodic songs – how they would turn out wasn't planned at all. We just write, we wrote the music and it turned out as it did. Maybe just the concept/the art profile were somewhat more planned. So no "hey, let’s make a fast aggressive song" or "hey, we need a ballad", it all comes naturally!
Did you accomplish the goals and hopes you had for the albums, before you started to make it?
We made a pre-production demo for the album which gave us pretty good guidelines for how we wanted the whole thing to turn out. I believe we reached most musical goals and ideas compared to the demo. Actually we re-arranged a lot also to the better during the real recording. That's the good idea behind such a demo – being able to see which musical adjustments there are needed to be taken.
What do a great album and a great song consist of in your opinion?
Contrasts, emotions, a great production or sound, good lyrics – an interesting theme or topic, good cover artwork – if it makes my arms get goose bumps it's totally right- like Dream Theater's "Images And Words" or the track 'Take The Time'. If I had to pull out one of our own songs, that gives me the same feeling as the mentioned Dream Theater material, I would have to pick 'The Celestine Prophecy' from our latest album.
What do inspire you when you write music?
Movies and books inspire me, the sound of the wind in the leaves and branches of trees, the sound of waves, a sparkling night sky, a strange deja vu, visions, nature and dreams. And all kinds of music. Usually there is an emotion starting off the process of a Pagan's Mind song (which one or more in the band comes up with), and then we start working with it all together. If I get goose bumps when it's nearly finished, it's right and we might keep it! A Pagan's Mind song to me is a great puzzle and everybody in the band contributes in putting it together, starting off with one single piece coming from maybe one person and the other 999 pieces are made by the whole band together. I always make the lyrics as the last step, as the melodies always are the most important thing and shouldn't come in second place. The lyrics are more easily born when the emotions and "images" I get in my head of the song already are there....
Can you pull out 5 bands/artists and 5 albums/songs that have meant a lot to you personally and for your way of writing/thinking music?
King Diamond "Them" – 'Coming Home': The spiritual influences. Dream Theater "Images And Words" – 'Take The Time': The fantastic music, the visions popping up in my head whilst listening. Mercyful Fate "Don't Break The Oath" – 'A Dangerous Meeting': Again spiritual influences. Lost Horizon "Awakening The World" – 'Heart Of Storm': Makes my will to do anything and face all fears so much stronger, builds up my self-esteem. And last I have Secret Garden "Dawn Of A New Century": Meditation music which makes the soul fly on its own and discover other spheres and dimensions.
How do you write music, do you have to be in a certain environment, mood or anything like that?
All moods are represented when writing music, but I believe staring at a starlit sky, listening to the waves, the wind in the branches of trees and dreaming/sleeping is the "environments" that cranks up my creative nerve – it's nothing like I seek those environments to force myself to write – that would never work anyway, I simply record my emotions or ideas in the back of my head when they come – naturally!
How do you know when you have hit the nail with a song, riff etc?
When the joy is on peak or my body gets goose bumps all over. When I feel like I'm on top of the world, invincible or whatever haha! I just feel STRONG, and then it's absolutely right.
How do you make the music in the band, do you all come with bits and pieces and assemble the songs at rehearsals… or?
This band is at times a mix-up of very different personalities, all with the gift of "creative overkill", to be honest we ditched about 80% of the riffs and ideas before shaping and building the song structures on "Enigmatic : Calling". There are powers within the band (as for instance Ronny Tegner, keyboards) that are educated professionally in music, and that helps out a lot. I don't think there are a lot of bands using a blackboard in the rehearsal studio, haha! We build the song structures up piece by piece and very little is coincidental. That really is the only way to make this kind of music work properly, and sound good at the same time. If we manage to create in this matter and pace, it would be great, but I also believe you always have to work and try harder to maintain a good band and not "losing". I don't fear that at all in this band because, like I said everybody has such good ideas all the time, and with the internal high sense of criticism upon ourselves. I think we will be able to ditch and sort out the worst "used-before" riffs and ideas till next time as well. Having said that, I have worked hard of course with the vocal lines and the lyrics, and in my opinion that is the only way to make things work out good. We're really an ambitious bunch of guys, and no one is of the opinion that things ever come for free. Hard work and aiming the right goals, "thinking like a winner" makes this band inspiring and fun to be part of.
I haven't been lucky enough to have read the lyrics for your new album, yet, but from judging from the song titles, I guess you are touching some of the bigger questions in life as always. Do you care to guide us through your lyrical universe?
I write all the lyrics and also stand for the concepts and ideas around them. I have always been very interested in "the unknown" and the use of terminology in lyrics is very important to me, because that creates the poetic touch to it that I believe adds the right "sophisticated" feel to it. English is a language with such many words to describe one single thing, and I prefer using a term with class to it rather than the "simple" ones.
The concept is based on mysticism, ethereal questions in space and time, alternative ways of philosophy around questions about life. In general we try to add a sophisticated "overlooking" way of expressing the concept and lyrics, never "telling anyone"....it's like it's up to everyone to figure out for themselves what the lyrics may contain and if they mean something to the individual listener. "Enigmatic : Calling" is partly a concept-album inspired by questions around extra-terrestrial life, parallel dimensions and the fact that human beings have been seeing strange objects in the sky for thousands of years......and still ignoring them.
I have to speak for myself when it comes to personal interest in these topics though, everybody in the band has different opinions on this and that, but since I write lyrics and concept, you will notice some of my own personal beliefs and ideas. I have been interested in different aspects of mysticism since I was a little boy, and think I always will be. I have experienced several strange episodes during my life, and some of those inspire me when I write lyrics. I am personally convinced that we can't see everything around us. We can't see electricity, but it exists. We can't see radio waves either, but that also exists. Either way I think these topics are a very exciting deep well of inspiration. Note that I personally prefer the "positive powers", though I can write and sing/express all aspects of them!
Is there a concept behind your albums, both the single albums and the 3 albums as a whole?
There are strong concepts on each of the three albums, and together they form a trilogy - which contains some of the same characters, places and messages. They all talk together and fit nicely together, but are going back in time – the last album is the first story in the trilogy.
Where do you find inspiration to write the lyrics?
The night sky, stars, nature, wilderness, books, films, other lyrics, music, you name it – almost everything everywhere around me. The creation in it self is such an inspiration because nothing can match it – it's the greatest wonder of them all. Just look at the human body! Magnificent to the core.
Will you tell us the idea and thought behind the album title "Enigmatic : Calling"?
Encrypted, hidden messages, a riddle. That's the "Enigmatic". The "Calling" is the message coming from a far galaxy… The calling is enigmatic – it's encrypted, a riddle left for us humans to solve. It's also a mind-fire starter, to try to see the hidden signs all around us, they are everywhere.
How did you come up with the idea for the cover artwork for the album, and what are your thoughts behind it?
I wanted to keep the "goddess" in focus of the cover artwork but this time more human-like, she is kind of a "messenger, bringing the secret codes and wisdom from space", followed by a lot of encrypted codes flying around her. Ever saw the movie Contact with Jodie Foster? A lot of the album concept is based upon ideas in that film. I wanted to make something I felt built up around the concept of the movie, and I also think I did.
If you look back to when the band started and up till now, how would you describe the progression of the band and the music?
The progression has been very fast I believe, at least musically. From year 2000 when we first got together and until now we have grown extremely much as musicians, gotten to know so many people in the business, experienced so much – really grown in every aspect. Merging from more straight based power metal on our debut through the progressive second album and to this (as some have said) more "mature" album I think we have really found ourselves, but also, we did every album in good faith.
How far do you think you can take Pagan's Mind progression-wise?
We just want to make good music and good songs, and I believe we have extremely much to give. Many more albums, I am pretty sure!
How important is it for you to keep focus on the "good song" and not make it all progressive wanking? It seems like it is an important deal for you, to make good and catchy songs.
It is extremely important. We make music to make good songs, not premature wanking. We could play almost any difficult song, structure or whatever, we have proved it and don't have to show off at all. We're musically capable of anything. A good song with good melody is always the most important. Progressive "wanking" as you call it bores me to death. You know, think of this: How can it be called progressive when everything contains odd rhythm patterns? It's not progressive at all (the TERM progressive means contrasts – not doing the same stuff over and over again) If 4/4 is forbidden you are all of a sudden not progressive anymore at all! Progression are contrasts, which means mixing all types of moods and emotions – not just frenzy wanking.
How do you feel about being put as the successors to lift the heritage of TNT and Conception?
Proud, very proud! Those bands inspired us big time and I have a great fan since I remember.
How far do you see yourself from reaching the state TNT and Conception had on their respective hey days?
TNT – a bit, hehe, since they were on a major label, had airplay on MTV and toured the whole world. Man, they were hitting the charts everywhere. They breaked when the 80's metal were commercial music – POP music, so everyone knew them. I doubt that we will reach what they did.
Conception – I believe we almost have (or soon will) surpass them. They did well, but didn't sell millions of albums as TNT. I don't think they got THAT kind of a commercial breakthrough.
You recently played at Sweden Rock Festival, how was that experience and how did the audience react towards your music?
Absolutely fantastic – nearly 8000 people and we broke the stage audience record for that particular stage, fans everywhere, great reviews, and a fantastic experience! The crowd was WILD. We could easily notice that Pagan's Mind has more fans now than two years ago, the last time we played there, there were twice as many in the audience this time!
How do you look upon the future of Pagan's Mind?
I believe this band has an enormous potential and could do most anything. It's my greatest love in life and I want it to go all the way. Seriously – this band has made a lot of my dreams come true so far, and I really thing more are to come. A lot of fantastic years are ahead of us.
Will you share your 5 all time favourite albums with us?
King Diamond -Them
Mercyful Fate -Don’t Break The Oath
Metallica - Master Of Puppets
Beatles - Abbey Road
Lost Horizon - Awakening The World
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