With heavy riffs and shapes thrown on stage, Paganize are determined to put heavy metal back on the map. With roots from the 70's and 80's metal, where melody and twin-guitars are in focus, Paganize set the standard
for heavy metal in the new Millenium!!! Paganize is based in Notodden, Norway, and have lately focused on writing music and recording demos. The band have evolved from being a sideproject for the members, to being a solid, ambitious and independent act, with one goal:
To Paganize the world!
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Lords Of Metal e-zine: Paganize is a relatively new band of drummer Trym from the well-known black metal giants Emperor and the death metal band Zyklon. In its three-year existence the band has released two self-financed demos in 2003 and 2005. That helped the band to score a deal with Candlelight Records, which resulted to this debut album.On the second demo (the first one is unknown to me), the band already showed a successful mixture of hard rock and heavy metal from the seventies and the early eighties. On this first long player they've perfected that style and come up with a mixture of bands like Black Sabbath and Dio and up to date power metal. The album opens with a sharp power metal riff and the first thing that strikes you from the very first second, is the outstanding production. Here and there they remind me of a band like Nevermore, but due to the use of influences from the progressive rock and metal and the high-pitched vocals of Geir Helge Fredheim (WinterStrain), the sound of old Queensr_che is audible as well. As you can guess, the songs are rather diverse and sound quite heavy in general. Although the music is not exactly original, Paganize can't directly be compared with another band, which is definitely a compliment. Besides that, the old-fashioned, somehow "dry", approach of the band sounds pleasant. Listen for example to the twin-guitars, which bands like Iron Maiden used to use a lot in the past, or the heavy groovy riffs a la Tony Iommi. And be honest, how often do you here music like this nowadays?'Evolution Hour' has become a respectable debut album that you would expect from experienced musicians and also an album that would apply to as well old-school heavy metal fans, as to the new generation metalheads. Give it a listen!Suburban horror:
Wow is it 1987 again, classic old school right here. Paganize have turned back the clock to yesteryear, and makes you think Kurt Cobain never existed and wiped out the whole 80's metal scene. With a double edged guitar attack that reminiscent of Murray and Smith, Downing and Tipton, and with vocals that remind you of Udo from Accept and Geoff Tate from Queensryche these guys make you want to break out the denim jacket and put pins all over the front of it and display a giant Paganize back patch. They also have a strong Megadeth influence, just without those scratchy Dave Mustaine vocals. This band is missing just a little punch to them, to put them over the edge, just a little bit more balls to it, and that would really kick my ass. I see this band gaining a huge following over in they home country of Norway, and in countries all across Europe where Metal is appreciated and supported. However, unfortunately in America, this would not go over too well. Which is a shame, this band is good. Dam good.Live 4 Metal:
Ready for this one? The Godly drummer Trym from the almighty Emperor and Zyklon in here as a permanent member of a band that plays straight up heavy metal. I thought the day would never come where he would give his feet a bit of a break and opt for something that is lighter paced. This one really slipped under the radar as they have released two demos before putting this debut out and have been going at it now for just about five years. At any rate, here they are ready to take on the true metal scene.
“The Hour†is a straight 4/4 tune with twin guitar attacks, high pitch vocals from Geir and drumming that goes from mid to fast paced. Sure, there is some double bass action, but
never reaching the heights of his other bands. The steel guitars have a slight Iced Earth tinge to them, but don’t mirror them exactly. It has that dated feel of 70’s-80’s hard rock classic metal vibe and nothing more. Believe it not, the guys opt to be retro rather than mix it with the modern times. “Conscience†is slightly better than the opening track as Geir swings his voice back and forth from high singing to a more crooning tone. The drums get intricate at times, but never going over the top. The solos on here have some shredding attitude on here, but this one is packed more with being melodic and containing some quite memorable riffs. The tracks float around back and forth making sure that each fans gets exactly what they want. I am more than positive that fans will have their fists raised in the air and pumping when they decide to hit the road. I would have never expected anything like this from Trym, but we all have more than one type of taste, no? When you listen to this, a lot of throwback bands will come to mind: anything from Heretic to Hellstar, Priest and numerous others that have paved the way. With the resurgence of old school metal making its way back, this should fit nice and snug in your collection.Deadtide:
If Paganize is meant to be taken literally as in that act of turning someone into a pagan, which it very well may be, it's a bit corny for a name. Luckily that is the only thing being labeled as such. Beyond the name lies an excellent dosage of old fashioned heavy metal.Coming out of Norway, you could say that Paganize is going against the grain considering the plethora of blackmetal that originates from the country. Perhaps such as the album title's play on words states; "Evilution Hour" suggests that heavy metal has come around full circle. We're in the presents of truly great riffing, thick precise drumming, and tracks rich with classic guitar solos of a modern kind. The whole experience unwillingly forces your head back, eyes closed, and fingers to whale on your air guitar. There's really a diverse array of moments reminiscent of styles from Iron Maiden to Iced Earth. Of course this means the vocals are of a power metal tone. Geir's range is definitely adequate and most fitting, changing perfectly to reflect the mood of some slower tracks, then kicking it up to a squealing pitch for the traditional faster ones.Paganize has certainly brought forth some exceptional metal, and to an extent is evolving the genre. With many familiar styles throughout and still having the necessary musicianship to attribute a creative touch, "Evilution Hour" goes beyond being pretty damn satisfying.Standout Tracks
AllHardrockhaven.net:
Comments: With Noise-core, Grind-core, Math-core, Gore, Extreme Metal, and dozens of other genres surfacing in the past decade it is truly refreshing to see a band come out and state they simply want to create quality "heavy metal." It is in that spirit that Paganize from Norway were born. A five-piece dedicated to creating kick ass traditional metal, these boys have done just that with their debut Evilution Hour on Candlelight Records. A 10-track basic yet really well played record is what you get here. Solid vocals, spirited guitars and well written NWOBHM styled songs is all you will get, nothing more nothing less. And frankly, what the hell else is there?The album starts with a bust in the mouth as "The Hour" makes listeners stand up and pay attention to their obvious talent. Riffs that pound and stimulate, drums that lead and challenge and soaring almost smoky vocals highlight this solid track. The traditional guitars solo is similar to Craig Goldy (Dio), and though short a harbinger of the great axe play to come.The start of the next song "Conscience" reminds one of Carcass's kick ass melodic riffs of Steer and Ammott and is obviously heavier then the last cut. The axe solos found here are woven together and really well played. The best thing is there are two guitars blazing and no one knows who is playing which solo, Thomas Rokne (nice '70s porn 'stache) or Stian Mausethagen. The overall sound harkens Priest one moment as vocalist Fredheim (Winterstrain) hits the high notes then Dio a moment later as the melodies really blaze a torturous evil path.Take the beautiful melodic combo solo in the third cut "Dark" where the boys tear it up but never show off or outdistance the metal. Track four starts slow and heavy like a Sabbath track from the Dio lead singer days. The vocals here are deeper then the previous and show Fredheim's range. The guitar here is almost Ted Nugent 1975-1980 good and it's nice to see that the boys can play the heavy rock just as well.The fifth cut is "Turn of the Tide" and the bass player Tor Seltveit plugs his ass off before being joined by the rest of the boys in a fast fun metal song. In this song the solos are layered again and mix tones really well starting off with the eerie metal pitch while also incorporating the kick ass soulful rock sound too. The next ditty "The Wraith" has Queensryche written all over it, as it is calm then wakes up with tremendous vocals and twin guitar attack of the Northwest U.S rockers. The drums are outstanding on this cut as Trym (Zyklon/Emperor) realty stands out. The guitar solo is deep and unique while still speeding through the darkness. "Divinity in Vain" has a nice solo and has us see the heavy metal staple of four minutes and a cloud of dust. "Blind Eyes" is back to the Queensryche style for a five minute joint. The guitar solo is done in a step by step approach of almost a lead in on top of a lead in before finally playing a nice clean sinister lead. There is a faster deeper George Lynch like lead as the song closes too."Mary King's Close" is early Judas Priest or Iron Maiden inspired for sure as the legions of troops seem to be surging forward with the riffs and drumlines.The finale sees near Steve Lukather beauty being played in the first guitar solo and then after 4 minutes and 45 seconds there is another 15 minutes of silence. That's a pretty stupid way to end an album. Oh well nonetheless this is one of the best American debuts in ages. Folks, forget the silence and get your asses online and buy this awesome metal album. This is an early runner for the year's Top Records.Black Angel Promotions:
Who doesn't love heavy metal? (Note: if you don't, get the hell out of here!) Especially when you're talking about the classics like Maiden or Priest, but when you dig deeper and touch on bands like Gamma Ray, Iced Earth, Fates Warning and Queensrÿche, it only gets better.
Every so often a band like Paganize comes along and reminds us why metal (and every form of it) is one of the best styles of music out there. With influences ranging from the aforementioned bands along with the likes of Hammerfall and Symphony X, I have no doubt that if metal flows through your veins, you'll come down with a case of lead poisoning (yes, that's a good thing in this scenario!).
EVILUTION HOUR is the debut album from Paganize which features former Emperor and current Zyklon drummer Trym. Not only does the band squeeze out gem after gem of power infused heavy metal, but on songs like "Hollow" the band shows some post-grunge tendencies. In the harmonizing breakdowns and choruses, "Hollow" could easily pass for an Alice in Chains song and at certain times, vocalist Geir Helge Fredheim gave me goosebumps as he hit some notes that only Layne Staley could.
As not only a metal fan, but a reviewer of heavy music, I think it'd be a crime if I didn't bring Paganize's EVILUTION HOUR to your attention. Stand out tracks would be the opening "The Hour", "Dark", "Hollow", "Blind Eyes" and "Mary King's Close".BallBusterHardMusic.com:
Well shit yes!!! These guys rock. When's the last time you heard a band from Norway the was not a black/extreme metal band? Yeah, me either. Paganize are a thousand miles away from that. Metal they are though. Heavy Metal that is. I think it's great that there are more and more bands forming and heading bank to the earlier roots of power metal. And with just enough of a touch of their own originality to not make it sound just like one of those other discs in your collectin. This is the bands debut and it is power pack with plenty of riffs to make your ears bleed. The clean soaring vocal are very close to that of Geoff Tate/ "Ripper" Owens. The guitar work throughout borderlines on exceptional and is back by former Emperor current Zyklon drummer Trym. There really isn't much to dissect here. You've just got to go out and get and you'll love it. This will appeal to fans of Poisionblack, Iced Earth, Demons & Wizards, Kamelot, Edguy, Gamma Ray and Hammerfall.
