The Haken thread v. Restoration

[Kyo]

a special cover which will feature the one and only Richard Henshall on guitar. Worth the price of a ticket just for that spectacle

Oh boy...

Let me guess, Hotel California? 

[ariich]

ARGH DAMMIT, can't make the gig on Friday as I'm playing in my work's annual football match.

[Nick]

Soccer over Haken... tssk tssk.

[Perpetual Change]

I'd kill a mermaid to see Haken in concert. It should go without saying that I'd skip a silly soccer match.

[ariich]

Well, for a start I've seen Haken about 5 times now, with all combinations of their lineup.

Also, these aren't Haken shows, it's To-Mera. Who I'd also really like to see, but I'm sure I'll get another chance to!

[John94]

They sound really good. Some great pieces from them. They are British right? If so, we can be proud of this up and coming band as I can see big things for them.

[ariich]

They are indeed British, from London!

[Zook]

What do the growls represent? They're very out of place.

[Perpetual Change]

Well, for a start I've seen Haken about 5 times now, with all combinations of their lineup.

Also, these aren't Haken shows, it's To-Mera. Who I'd also really like to see, but I'm sure I'll get another chance to!

You saw Haken 5 times? Well, for that, I'd not only kill a mermaid; I'd kill its orphaned offspring, too!

[Zook]

I think Haken can be filed under the genre: Crazy Wackado Metal.

[Nick]

I simply file them under awesome.

[ariich]

I file them under Awesome Crazy Wackado Metal. Whatever the hell 'wackado' means.

You saw Haken 5 times? Well, for that, I'd not only kill a mermaid; I'd kill its orphaned offspring, too!

I might go and see them play the Summers End festival, especially as they're on the same day as Karmakanic and Agents of Mercy (Flower Kings side bands), which also happens to be a Saturday.

[TimmyHiggy]

Whatever the hell 'wackado' means.

Something like a cross between a mallet and an avocado?

[Nick]

Dude, Karmakanic is AMAZING, you better hit that show.

[ariich]

Dude, Karmakanic is AMAZING, you better hit that show.

I know, Who's The Boss... is one of my favourite albums ever.

[Dimitrius]

So I finally was able to find this album and... OMFG they're awesome!!! The RORORO kinda takes me by surprise but God they're so good!!

[Groundhog]

Amazing band. This is the best prog album that's come out for a long time. I love the quirky stuff and the genre hopping. I'm not that into growling, but here it really works. Haven't got the CD yet, but the production based on the youtube clips sounds great too. Kudos for having a slightly better dynamic range than what's usual nowadays. Maybe even better on the next album? 

[ariich]

Yay, more fans!

Apparently there's a chance they might do a small UK tour supporting Freak Kitchen. That would be so much damn fun!

[faemir]

Dude, Karmakanic is AMAZING, you better hit that show.

car mechanic?

[ariich]

By the way, if anyone doesn't have the original Haken demo they did in 2008 and wants it, I've uploaded it to sendspace: https://www.sendspace.com/file/2xj428

Can't remember how long it stays up, think it's like a week or so? Anyway there it is.

[faemir]

I'll upload it to my dropbox for a more permanent residence.

[ariich]

Nice one

[Perpetual Change]

I really like the original demo. It's really cool, you can definitely tell how key parts of their sound have developed.

The vocals on that demo are really interesting to me, too. It sounds like Ross is singing soprano on that first track 

Anyway, I've decided that if Haken ever tour the states, I'd be willing to sign my life away to them. As long as they feed me/transport me, I'd be willing to be a volunteer roadie.

Seriously, Haken are awesome. I said this in Nick's chat the other night, but I'll say it here. Aquarius is easily better than most Dream Theater albums for me.

[Nick]

As I said to Phant during the show, Aquarius is still EASILY the best debut album put out this year.

[Groundhog]

Got the CD today. 

Will do some serious listening tomorrow.

[faemir]

Souls is such a brilliant song, been listening to it on repeat while planning my NaNoWriMo novel

[ariich]

I like it as it has loads of really good sections, but it's dragged down a little by a serious lack of flow or structure.

It's a great live song though, the end is epic. I wonder if they'll ever play old songs live still or if they'll just play officially released stuff.

[Haken]

It certainly has been a fair amount of time since we last played Souls or any of the other tracks from the demo, I'm sure in time to come we'll bring them back to life. At ProgPower Europe and Summers End festival we'll only be playing music from 'Aquarius', we're really looking forward to getting back on the stage. I hope to see some of you there!

Hen

[ariich]

Still potentially considering Summers End, but not sure how busy I'll be with college/training.

You need to play some headlining gigs dammit!

[Haken]

Hi guys,

Got some good news in the Haken camp. We're playing at the Camden underworld, in support of the great Freak Kitchen, on November the 12th. It's going to be a honour for us to share the stage with these guys, they are truly excellent at what they do. We hope to see some you londoners there.

We've also been announced in the ProgPower USA 2011 lineup. It'll be our debut performance in the US, it goes without saying that we're extremely pumped for this show. It'd be great to see some of you guys there!

Also, I've begun writing the next album. It's coming along nicely, four of the songs are pretty much complete. We're hoping to release it during the second half of next year, that's assuming everying runs smoothly. 

Thanks

Hen

[Nick]

Although swinging it would be tricky in the first place I will definitely be missing you guys at ProgPower unfortunately. Frankly you guys and Labyrinth are the only two bands I care about on the bill this year.

[Haken]

That's fair enough, hopefully you can catch us next time we're over there.

[ariich]

Already got my ticket for the Underworld gig, as does Sigz and possibly XJDenton!

Exciting news about a second album

[Nick]

Dammit, I am still mad Sigz gets to meet you before me.

HE'S MY LOVER DAMMIT, KEEP YOUR SEXINESS AWAY SIGZ.

[Haken]

Excellent stuff Rich, I look forward to seeing you there!