Haken v. new single Nightingale (April 26)

[Fritzinger]

Definitely check out PANTHER, it's a great album. I'm surprised by the almost universally positive reactions to it though, I thought it would polarise more.

My Versions Of The Truth vinyl is coming in today, I'm very excited to hear Gavin Harrison's magic complementing mellow, well thought-through art pop songs again.

[Max Kuehnau]

Definitely check out PANTHER, it's a great album. I'm surprised by the almost universally positive reactions to it though, I thought it would polarise more.

My Versions Of The Truth vinyl is coming in today, I'm very excited to hear Gavin Harrison's magic complementing mellow, well thought-through art pop songs again.

Gavin is as clean and inventive and musical as ever. Nice and dynamic production as well.

[emtee]

Some songs from L-1ve came up randomly this morning on one of my playlists. Man...awesome!  These guys are just kicking my butt lately.

[425]

I'm no stranger to having songs slowly grow on me, but still: I got Affinity on release and have listened to it 15 times according to iTunes (sort of a lot for me; I know it might not be for others), and just this week, over four years in, The Endless Knot finally clicked hard for me. Went from being my least favorite song on the album to probably one of my favorites.

[LordCost]

I'm no stranger to having songs slowly grow on me, but still: I got Affinity on release and have listened to it 15 times according to iTunes (sort of a lot for me; I know it might not be for others), and just this week, over four years in, The Endless Knot finally clicked hard for me. Went from being my least favorite song on the album to probably one of my favorites.

It didn't click for me yet, so I have hope..

[Fritzinger]

I'm no stranger to having songs slowly grow on me, but still: I got Affinity on release and have listened to it 15 times according to iTunes (sort of a lot for me; I know it might not be for others), and just this week, over four years in, The Endless Knot finally clicked hard for me. Went from being my least favorite song on the album to probably one of my favorites.

It didn't click for me yet, so I have hope..

You have to see it live... it will click the shit out of you.

[Evermind]

I'm no stranger to having songs slowly grow on me, but still: I got Affinity on release and have listened to it 15 times according to iTunes (sort of a lot for me; I know it might not be for others), and just this week, over four years in, The Endless Knot finally clicked hard for me. Went from being my least favorite song on the album to probably one of my favorites.

It didn't click for me yet, so I have hope..

You have to see it live... it will click the shit out of you.

I love The Endless Knot and one of my biggest disappointments seeing Haken live (I had to travel to Germany to see them) is that they didn't play The Endless Knot. I was ready to rock out to that dubstep part so hard.

[Fritzinger]

I'm no stranger to having songs slowly grow on me, but still: I got Affinity on release and have listened to it 15 times according to iTunes (sort of a lot for me; I know it might not be for others), and just this week, over four years in, The Endless Knot finally clicked hard for me. Went from being my least favorite song on the album to probably one of my favorites.

It didn't click for me yet, so I have hope..

You have to see it live... it will click the shit out of you.

I love The Endless Knot and one of my biggest disappointments seeing Haken live (I had to travel to Germany to see them) is that they didn't play The Endless Knot. I was ready to rock out to that dubstep part so hard.

Yeah you're right, they didn't play it during their Vectours. They dug it out again in March 2020 though. So maybe travel to Germany again, maybe you'll have more luck Where did you go in Germany?

[Evermind]

That time I visited Hamburg for 5 days. It was my birthday vacation. Caught Steven Wilson and Haken back to back on 20th and 21st February 2019 I think. One of my fondest memories lately with all the travel bans and no concerts allowed. I just walked through the town for hours and hours. It was fantastic.

I also stayed in Koln in 2017 for two weeks. I love Germany so I do hope to visit again one day.

[Fritzinger]

That time I visited Hamburg for 5 days. It was my birthday vacation. Caught Steven Wilson and Haken back to back on 20th and 21st February 2019 I think. One of my fondest memories lately with all the travel bans and no concerts allowed. I just walked through the town for hours and hours. It was fantastic.

I also stayed in Koln in 2017 for two weeks. I love Germany so I do hope to visit again one day.

Hamburg is a beautiful city and having seen SW and Haken within 5 days, it doesn't seem like your trip was in vain, although Endless Knot was not played

[Evermind]

That time I visited Hamburg for 5 days. It was my birthday vacation. Caught Steven Wilson and Haken back to back on 20th and 21st February 2019 I think. One of my fondest memories lately with all the travel bans and no concerts allowed. I just walked through the town for hours and hours. It was fantastic.

I also stayed in Koln in 2017 for two weeks. I love Germany so I do hope to visit again one day.

Hamburg is a beautiful city and having seen SW and Haken within 5 days, it doesn't seem like your trip was in vain, although Endless Knot was not played

The whole trip was one of the best things I've ever experienced so definitely not in vain

[El Barto]

Have they given any indication on when they might be touring? Like just some vague part of 2021? Seems that a lot of bands just rescheduled all of their dates for a year later, but as far as I know Haken had no European tour scheduled.

[cramx3]

Have they given any indication on when they might be touring? Like just some vague part of 2021? Seems that a lot of bands just rescheduled all of their dates for a year later, but as far as I know Haken had no European tour scheduled.

They are booked for at least one euro festival next summer.  I'm guessing they won't be back in NA until fall of 2021 the earliest, but being they didn't have a tour postponed, I wonder if they'll be pushed out even further since so many tours are already scheduled for 2021 due to postponement.

[CrimsonSunrise]

Sometimes I have a bad habit of ranking/rating albums too early after release.  Not giving myself enough time to really digest them.  So I really wanted to take my time with Virus.  I've been pretty much listening to it non-stop since it's release.  I think overall it comes in at my #1 Haken album.  It's just frikking brilliant!  The more I listen the more of the nuances, intricacies, and layers I hear.  This could very well make a push into my top 10 albums of all time list, time will tell!  I've even come around to Canary Yellow, which I really was initially kinda "Blah" on, but now appreciate and enjoy. Carousel and Messiah complex are both simply outstanding. The rest of the tracks are above average with the exception of the very last track.

[cramx3]

I've even come around to Canary Yellow, which I really was initially kinda "Blah" on, but now appreciate and enjoy. Carousel and Messiah complex are both simply outstanding.

I think it's placement makes it sound even better.  It flows really well from The Strain and both those songs area a nice break between the two epics.

Virus is a VERY good album IMO.

[me7]

I've even come around to Canary Yellow, which I really was initially kinda "Blah" on, but now appreciate and enjoy. Carousel and Messiah complex are both simply outstanding.

I think it's placement makes it sound even better.  It flows really well from The Strain and both those songs area a nice break between the two epics.

Yes, the flow is perfect. The drumming at the beginning of Carry Yellow after the fadeout of The Strain is spot-on. Everything about the album is spot-on.

[CrimsonSunrise]

I've even come around to Canary Yellow, which I really was initially kinda "Blah" on, but now appreciate and enjoy. Carousel and Messiah complex are both simply outstanding.

I think it's placement makes it sound even better.  It flows really well from The Strain and both those songs area a nice break between the two epics.

Virus is a VERY good album IMO.

Agreed, the lead into Canary is very good.  Something we didn't get to hear when the single was released.

[Nick]

FWIW, it wasn't announced yet, but Haken had a full US tour lined up for the fall to support Virus. I don't recall the exact timeframe, but they did have a tour get fucked by COVID, on top of the one they were already on.

[gmillerdrake]

FWIW, it wasn't announced yet, but Haken had a full US tour lined up for the fall to support Virus. I don't recall the exact timeframe, but they did have a tour get fucked by COVID, on top of the one they were already on.

SO upset about that tour being cancelled. St. Louis was one of the cities Affinity was going to be played in full. Had our tickets....me, the wife and the boys were ready to go and pumped.....then tour cancelled 6 days before they'd have played here.      totally get it but man, that was a tough one to swallow.

[cramx3]

FWIW, it wasn't announced yet, but Haken had a full US tour lined up for the fall to support Virus. I don't recall the exact timeframe, but they did have a tour get fucked by COVID, on top of the one they were already on.

Guess that makes sense that it was in the works, sucks big time.  Do you happen to know who they would have been touring with?

[Nick]

FWIW, it wasn't announced yet, but Haken had a full US tour lined up for the fall to support Virus. I don't recall the exact timeframe, but they did have a tour get fucked by COVID, on top of the one they were already on.

Guess that makes sense that it was in the works, sucks big time.  Do you happen to know who they would have been touring with?

Chances are I wouldn't say even if I did know, but I can honestly say I do not know.

[emtee]

Still hearing cool little nuances. Also getting more comfortable with how the rhythms unfold.

No way any other album tops this for me in 2020. They captured magic in a bottle with this one. Last album that gobsmacked me like this was Ghost Reveries.

[gmillerdrake]

Still hearing cool little nuances. Also getting more comfortable with how the rhythms unfold.

No way any other album tops this for me in 2020. They captured magic in a bottle with this one. Last album that gobsmacked me like this was Ghost Reveries.

I think we're on opposite ends of the spectrum on this one. I have little desire to listen to it. In fact, the only time I hear a song off this album now is when one of my boys picks it on their turn in our car.

I think the music is 'good' and all.....I love HAKEN in general......I just prefer their sound prior to this heavier less melodic kick.

[Evermind]

I revisit it occasionally. I feel better about it than I did during the promo/release date. I don't think it'll end up in my Top 3 this year though, maybe not even Top 5.

[Fritzinger]

VIRUS is my album of the year. I knew it when I first heard the promo copy and my opinion hasn't changed after 6000 more listens and the release of a buttload of awesome albums since then.

[Kwyjibo]

I like it, but it's my least favorite Haken record.

[mike099]

Hope they come back to Nashville.  They played the 500 capacity Exit-inn last time and hoping they can upgrade to a bit larger venue this time around.  Some place with seating would be nice.  Last time I stood for all three bands and was wiped at the end.

[Kram]

Top 5 album for me this year for sure.  Maybe number 2 - but I definitely have PANTHER above this which will undoubtedly be my number 1 album this year

[me7]

Virus has staying power

[cramx3]

Virus has staying power

clearly 

[jammindude]

Agreed. I do hope they change up the sound again for the next album, but these last two albums complement each other wonderfully.

[KevShmev]

A song from Virus randomly played in my car a few weeks ago (thanks to the automatic shuffle once I plug my iPhone in) and it occurred to me that it was the first time I had listened to a song from it in months.  I can't say I disliked the album, but I wasn't crazy about it, and its shelf life in my rotation was about the same as a carton of milk.  Hoping the next album is a return to form.

[Zydar]

Around the time of its release I proclaimed it my Album Of The Year. I haven't listened to it in quite a while now, but I think it has slipped from my top spot, the luster has worn off a bit. It's still in my Top 5 for 2020 though.

[Ben_Jamin]

Nothing new. Just wanted to share a neat playlist I made.

1. Sun
2. Deathless
3. Because It's There
4. Lapse
5. Host
6. Canary Yellow

It started from Sun (instrumental) playing on my shuffle. I then thought, "it has a similar vibe to Host", so I played them back to back, and liked the way it sounded. Then, I played Deathless, and thought, hmm...I wonder if Haken has similar songs on all the albums. This is the playlist that I created going chronologically.

[Nick]

Nothing new. Just wanted to share a neat playlist I made.

1. Sun
2. Deathless
3. Because It's There
4. Lapse
5. Host
6. Canary Yellow

It started from Sun (instrumental) playing on my shuffle. I then thought, "it has a similar vibe to Host", so I played them back to back, and liked the way it sounded. Then, I played Deathless, and thought, hmm...I wonder if Haken has similar songs on all the albums. This is the playlist that I created going chronologically.

Well, might as well...

Deathless / Canary Yellow >>> Sun / Because It's There >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Host / Lapse

I loved Canary Yellow not just as a standalone song when it was released, but more so for its place on the album in lifting up at a critical point when Host and Lapse both took a big chunk out of their respective albums.