ENIGMATIC: CALLING

Couple of years ago I read a book by James Redefield (?) titled as "The Celestine Prophecy" which is basically a book about spiritual journey. Having read the book, I would have not thought that there would be a song with the same title in the style of progressive metal leaning itself onto heavy rhythm section and relatively fast tempo. I would have thought that if a music would ever be created for the book, it should be in the vein of "inspirational moments" kind of music - the kind of music that Kitaro or Vangelis plays, not the one with heavy metal scheme. Yeah, as you know it by now that it's the opening track by Pagan's Mind's "Enigmatic: Calling" that has the same title of the book. In fact, I almost forget what are the key contents of the book. Let's just talk about this album by Pagan's Mind. As far as style concern, this opening track is truly a heavy music with relatively fast tempo and loaded with guitar riffs.

It flows wonderfully with faster tempo track "Enigmatic Mission" (5:17) which in a way reminds me to Queensryche music but in much faster tempo. As usual, vocal line is the key strength of Pagan's Mind music plus the harmony of guitar riffs combined with inventive keyboard solo. Guitar gives the solo part nicely combined with keyboard that gives symphonic nuance. The interesting thing about this song is the speed of music and the harmonies of instruments being played, accompanying the melodic vocal line. "Supremacy, Our Kind" (6:01) brings the music even harder. This time, it's really wonderful how heavy guitar riffs and moldy blend beautifully with keyboard solo. In fact, the keyboard solo just before the first lyrical verse enters the music is really inventive and matches the music. This demonstrates the band's virtuosity and creativity in composing such wonderful and energetic music like "Supremacy, Our Kind". Well, this song is suitable for the power and the glory theme.

The intro part of "Entrance To Infinity" (7:50) serves like a break to the heavy rhythm music the band has played thus far, followed with bass guitar serving as main rhythm section that anchors other instruments into one cohesive whole of music. Tempo-wise, this is slower than previous tracks. The band then demonstrates a good and mind-provoking instrumental piece "Coming Home (Instrumental)" (2:37) - demonstrating great keyboard work - as another break to arrive at "Celestial Calling" (7:01). This track starts off with heavy guitar riffs in fast tempo followed with high register notes vocal line. It's quite bombastic as an intro part. The music is quite varied as it moves along, there are many changes in mood as well as tempo and breaks which make this song is so energetic and entertaining. Again, keyboard solo is really stunning.

"Taken" (7:35) has strong roots in classical music as well as symphonic in nature through nice rhythm section which merges guitar riffs, symphonic keyboard, drums as well as bass guitar. When the vocal enters, it sounds like typical melodic metal plus some inventive and interesting breaks between segments. When the tone is lowering down, I like the music which comprises only bass guitar, drums and simple keyboard work. The album concludes nicely with a political composition "New World Order" (8:11) where George Bush involved in it. The song kicks off elegantly through a stream of music that moves in crescendo. Guitar riffs and keyboard punches still dominate the music that accompanies melodic vocal line. It's an excellent concluding track.

Overall, this album is at par excellent as its predecessor. The music reveals the excellent combination of inventive keyboard as rhythm section or as solo, and guitar riffs and melody. This album would definitely favor those of you who love and can appreciate heavy side of prog music: it's a progressive metal! It's an excellent addition to any prog music collection. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

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