Haken v. new single Nightingale (April 26)

[KevShmev]

If you think Vision is really good (it is!), wait till you hear the other albums. 

And I have to say I am envious of those who "get" Haken right away, as it took me a while.

[CrimsonSunrise]

If you think Vision is really good (it is!), wait till you hear the other albums. 

And I have to say I am envious of those who "get" Haken right away, as it took me a while.

I had heard so many folks say they were great and I have no clue why it took me so long to give them a listen.  I just started the "Streaming" thing yesterday.  It got me fired up to just start really trying to check out some other bands.  But yeah....  these guys have some serious talent!  Can't wait to start absorbing the discography!

[jammindude]

THE. FREAKIN. MOUNTAIN.

[Mladen]

I haven't listened to Haken in a while, but Aquarius was my favorite with The Mountain being close behind.

[Zydar]

The Mountain would be my favourite, but Affinity is very close on 2nd. Aquarius would be 3 and Visions 4. They're all great though.

[KevShmev]

Affinity gets slightly dinged for me because it has the only song of any of their studio albums that I flat-out do not like (Initiate), but the rest is just so good.  1985 is a top 5 Haken tune, and songs like Red Giant, Bounded by Gravity and Lapse are great songs that seem to rarely get mentioned.  Plus, the sound of the CD is killer.

[jammindude]

I didn't like Initiate for the longest time.   But once I saw how it musically meshed with the rest of the albums and how the repeating themes made the whole thing tie together, I loved it for what it was.

[DTA]

I agree that Initiate is weaker than the rest, and I actually find their straight-ahead prog-metal songs to be their weakest overall (Darkest Light, In Memoriam, Initate, The Mind's Eye).

[KevShmev]

The Mind's Eye doesn't stand out, but I find it to be a good, enjoyable song.

I agree that Darkest Light is weak.

In Memoriam is great.

I would describe Earthrise and Lapse as straight-ahead songs as well, and both of those kick ass.

[Zydar]

In Memoriam is in my Top 5 Haken songs.

[jammindude]

I love The Mind's Eye....but I suppose that's mostly because I can never just hear that song by itself.   It's the whole Mind's Eye/Portals/Shapeshifter Suite that I adore.....that payoff at the end of Shapeshifter is where the whole thing really hits home.   So I can't hear them individually in my head any more.

[cramx3]

I love The Mind's Eye....but I suppose that's mostly because I can never just hear that song by itself.   It's the whole Mind's Eye/Portals/Shapeshifter Suite that I adore.....that payoff at the end of Shapeshifter is where the whole thing really hits home.   So I can't hear them individually in my head any more.

I dont care what anyone says, but Visions is my favorite Haken album.  Love that run of songs.

[El Barto]

As always I'm late to the party. Had heard of them but for whatever lame reason I never gave them a go.  Just gave them a first listen. SERIOUSLY impressed!!!  Listening to "Visions" Remastered.

I only got into them a few months ago, myself. Aquarius and The Mountain are both fantastic albums. I have nothing against Visions, but if you're really into that those two oughtta knock you on your ass. And don't forget the two EPs.

[GasparXR]

Just want to drop a comment about how great Ross is. The performance of As Death Embraces on L-1VE is probably my favourite Ross performance ever. It's SOO good and even better than on the album. A true testament to what a great singer he is.

[CrimsonSunrise]

Thanks for all the feedback guys.  I can tell this is gonna be a fun journey absorbing their work.  Live DVD/CD is on the way.  I figure an album a month to digest them all.

[gzarruk]

Thanks for all the feedback guys.  I can tell this is gonna be a fun journey absorbing their work.  Live DVD/CD is on the way.  I figure an album a month to digest them all.

Don't forget to check their Restoration EP as well 

[twosuitsluke]

I love The Mind's Eye....but I suppose that's mostly because I can never just hear that song by itself.   It's the whole Mind's Eye/Portals/Shapeshifter Suite that I adore.....that payoff at the end of Shapeshifter is where the whole thing really hits home.   So I can't hear them individually in my head any more.

I dont care what anyone says, but Visions is my favorite Haken album.  Love that run of songs.

It's not quite my favourite, but I adore it. The main reason is the title track, it's easily their best 'epic', as far as I'm concerned.

[jakepriest]

It's not quite my favourite, but I adore it. The main reason is the title track, it's easily their best 'epic', as far as I'm concerned.

But Visions is the worst track on the album though 

[cramx3]

It's not quite my favourite, but I adore it. The main reason is the title track, it's easily their best 'epic', as far as I'm concerned.

But Visions is the worst track on the album though 

These might both be true

[The Letter M]

I guess I'm in some weird minority regarding "Visions" (the song and album), because I *love* that epic, and I think part of the reason is because I really love the video that Marc Papeghin made for "Visions" - it really sold the song on me and it's become one of my favorite epics by any band in the last 10 years! That ending gets me every single time!

-Marc.

[Zydar]

Yeah the actual song Visions is awesome, and one of their best songs ever.

[KevShmev]

I go back and forth between what I think their best song is: Visions or Celestial Elixir.  The latter has their best moments ever (that godly instrumental section in the middle), but Visions seems to be more consistent and just gets better and better as the song moves along. Tough call.

[Fritzinger]

In my opinion, the great thing about Celestial Elixir is that it's not a suite made of different parts, but actually a very slowly built up SONG.
My favorite Haken song still might be The Archtect though.

[gzarruk]

Celestial Elixir was the song that introduced me to Haken, so it has a special place in my heart, but I think Visions is better. Their best song, though? That might be Crystallised, imo.

[jakepriest]

Where is the love for Crystallized tho? Absolutely my favourite epic from Haken.

[KevShmev]

Crystallized is really good, but doesn't have the wow factor that both Visions and Celestial Elixir have; I would say the same thing about The Architect, except for the 1-minute intro, which is totally bad ass. Neither Crystallized nor The Architect would make my Haken top 10, even if I like both a lot.

[King Postwhore]

Crystalized is my favorite.   Sorry.  I've seen all 3 songs live and it was the best seeing it played live.

[KevShmev]

"LOOK AT ME! I HAVE SEEN EVERY CONCERT EVER!!"

[King Postwhore]

*Beats chest*

I'm just speaking from experience you plebeian.   

[Ben_Jamin]

Heard Crystallized for the first time. My god its pretty good.

[jammindude]

Heard Crystallized for the first time. My god its pretty good.

By far my favorite epic from them.   One of the most cohesive epics I've ever heard.  It's just a masterpiece.

[King Postwhore]

See Kev!

[KevShmev]

All I see are wrong opinions.

[King Postwhore]

 

I love that the love is spread out. It means their music transcends.

[KevShmev]

For sure.  Should be interesting to see if they do another long one on the next album...