Review Summary: Overly ambitious, but catchy.
I am not one to praise (with great detail) solitary tracks, but this is a special case. The opening track is brilliantly put together, with multiple verses, bridges, solos, etc. It is progressively thrilling as every part in the story unfolds more triumphantly than before. Dynamics are used brilliantly, effectively setting the scenes, and foreshadowing future events. The band members are also wizards at playing their instruments, and have both the technical skills and impressive restraint to remain in endless sync. The song has an epic scale about, almost cinematic, and let’s not forget that bold chorus! In short, ‘The Celestine Prophecy’ embodies everything superb about melodic metal (or in this case, progressive power metal). If only the rest of the album was as good as that track.
Although not their intent, Pagan’s Mind set themselves up for failure by placing their best song first. Everything fit together seamlessly for the first song, but such a feat was never duplicated. They definitely tried to recover, but everything else just seems lackluster in comparison. The progressive elements, although well-done, prove tiresome with time. The songwriting is great but their obsession with long songs proves to be their undoing. The whole album sounds like one long track and it is practically a chore to get through it all in one sitting.
After all is said and done,
Enigmatic: Calling is a great progressive power metal album. Although overly long and ambitious (it’s also a concept album, but the concept is so ridiculous that it wasn’t worth mentioning) the cheese is served tastily through technical, yet restrained instrumentation. However, they are certainly not restrained in distortion, crushing guitars permeate every song. Those who enjoy heavy, progressive, melodic, power metal, should find something enjoyable here. Others who can’t stomach this sort of thing should be given a bag for their travels, and their vomit.
