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By naming their album God's Equation, Pagan’s Mind sets
up a pretense to universal understanding. Whatever this “God’s
equation” is, it sounds important, and Pagan’s Mind are going
to enlighten us. In liner notes, Pagan's Mind explain that,
"The God formula is the balance and core of our DNA, which
is the key to all life in the universe... [Furthermore,] the
Equation has developed and constructed the universe, but modern
man still struggles for answers: Who is God? Man or woman,
black or white?" They continue, "Extremely briefly, the equation
can be explained as the link between life, death, light and
dark and the positive and negative sides of the grand universe."
Oh, how illuminating…***
No, but seriously, perhaps we'd all be better off if
Pagan's Mind left physics and philosophy to the physicists
and the philosophers. While their foray into the philosophy
of science is somewhat embarrassing, they should stick to
what they're evidently not bad at—rocking.***
Progressive rock tends to take itself very seriously,
and Pagan’s Mind are no exception. Seriousness is good when
it is backed by intelligent ideas. Songs like Pagan's Mind's
"Atomic Firelight" are interesting in their distinctly prog-poetic
lyrics and unquestionably kick-ass composition--bonus points
for lyrical themes of immortality and destruction (timelessly
good prog-rock subject matter).***
The opening sequence on God's Equation, titled "Conception,"
alludes to the generation of... the universe? ...human life?
...the lives of each band-member? All of the above, in some
mytho-poetic way? In any case, the opening sequence is not
particularly transporting, but listeners can "go there" if
they want to—why not have some fun and enjoy, right?***
Later songs like "Hallo Spaceboy" take on a Bowie-like
quality in their vocals; and screaming lyrics like "Moon dust
will cover you" add a cartoonish (and somewhat silly) quality
to the album—moon dust?—it will?...***
Lower points of this album include songs like "Evolution
Exceed," which epitomize unoriginal and uninspiring prog.
However, higher points include death-cartoonish trips like
"Alien Kamikaze"--this song is a keeper!***
“God’s Equation” is well marketed prog-rock without very
much virtuosic display; but what this album lacks in technical-virtuosity
is sometimes made up for in colorful compositions. And, don’t
get me wrong, this album does have its virtuosic moments.
Pagan’s Mind’s aggressive sound is also a saving grace; however,
the aggressive-knob could be turned up a notch.***
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