Paganus

Paganus: Scandinavias heaviest Folk Rock act - Forest rockers of Wermland.
The band was formed in 2004 by singer and songwriter Johannes Söderqvist and already in summer 2005 we did our very first recording, a five-tracker called Memento Mori. It was when we got our very first review ever that the sub-genré that we nowadays are being acossiated with first was to be seen. Paganus plays what have ben known as "forest rock"! We guess you could say that this brand is a shorter way to say: Really heavy folk rock with influences of both Scandinavian and Celtic folk music, with a touch of prog, stoner and psychedelica. The fact that Paganus also can be seen as an artistic contribution to the environmental debate, that many songs deal with the sanctity of Nature, has also made a big diffrence when the band was given this our very own brand.
Well, Memento Mori led to several very good reviews, a lot of gigs amongst one was a 22 minutes live show for Swedish radio P4, tv interview at tv4 Värmland and maximum weeks at Värmlandstoppen (our local radio top list) where we reached third position. Not bad at all for a demo.
"Skogsrock" - the album you’re listening to right now - is our first full length. It is being released on our own label Earth n Wood and being distributed by the true giants on Scandinavian prog Record Heaven. It is going quite well for the album. You can read some clips from reviews below the slide show.
REVIEWS ON "SKOGSROCK":
SOUNDS UNDER THE SURFACE (Germany – no grading system)
“...[Skogsrock is] moreover personal in a sense that makes most of the nowadays acclaimed “singers & songwriters” look like black/white illustrations next to colour photos – yes, this music is so lively that it even stands the comparison with the better [Jethro] Tull albums.”
DALADEMOKRATEN (Sweden--- graded 4 of 5)
”I like Forestrock, the music have ben found from mossy stones and proud tres.”
GÖTEBORGS FRIA TIDNING (Sweden---no grading system)
”…like the better moments of the Swedish prog-heritage. It’s kickin’ in quite good.”
LUNA KAFÉ-world music e-zine (Norway---no grading system)
...“Folk and rock continue to meet with stirring results. Paganus offer a delightful change of pace from the usual city-fixated hipsters.”
NWT ( Sweden ---Grade: 4 of 5.)
On Paganus dazzling "Skogsrock" [Forest-rock] you can find everything that you won’t find anywhere else. Swedish singing, a clear scent of folk-music and a furry groove that really kicks. "Skogsrock" is an experience beyond modern references, gaining on being different.
PROGRESSIVEROCK (Brazil---No grading system)
Paganus is a new band that came from Sweden. Musically they are a Hard Rock band, but especially on their new album they have mixed it with some other musical influences such as Classic Rock, Country Rock, Folk and Progressive Rock, so in the end they sound very sensational and, are in quality, as good as the legendary American and British Hard Rock bands from years 70’s.
GROOVE (Norway---Grade 7/8 – album of the month)
Musically this is a strong and overwhelming example on what krystal clear do-it-ureself-thinking can lead to; a better life and understanding in a spiritual way. [...] Paganus’ has grown their rock organic and independently - I hope they can gather hordes of wild-men into their rock n roll-dance in sun circles all over Scandinavia.
BLASKAN (Sweden---No grading system)
Paganus is the most humanistic band I’ve heard in a long time. [...] Paganus is music for Joy and Soul.
METAL HAMMER (Greece---No grading system)
Skogrock is a strong, real, honest and unvarnished folk/rock album."
VF (Sweden---Album of the week Graded: 4/5)
..."’Skogsrock’ (Wood-rock) is a relieving and seducive display of classic hard-rock dressed in forest gnomery. The woods versus Stockholm." "A worthy crusade for the countryside"
ST (Sweden---Graded 4/5)
"Wonderful music and great lyrics"
ARVIKA NYHETER (Sweden ---No grading system)
“Forest rock is an honest album that gives you a feeling of being wild and free."
So why do we think we’re needed. Is there really need for moore music in this world almost contaminated with catchy tunes? We’re needed because there are too few who sing in Swedish; because everyone is obsessing with Stockholm, who in turn obsess with London, New York and Paris. We’re needed to give a voice to forests, bark, grass, river and bog; to give a voice to the things beyond everything plastic, without for that matter rub shoulders with politics.
Contact Paganus: [email protected]