There’s something slightly ubiquitous about progressive music and beards. No one exemplifies that more than London based Haken. Whilst the photo above might look like the mug shots for a diamond heist gang from the East End, it is in fact a picture of prog metal supremos Haken.
I first heard these guys in 2018, naturally as a reaction on the channel. The track I heard was what I thought was one of the most bonkers pieces of music I’d ever come across. I really had no idea, did I?!
Aside from the arresting video, the music quickly established itself as the important thing here. I was hearing all sorts of influences and references in the music, and was loving what I was hearing! Up to this point, I was unaware of Gentle Giant, but had I known them I’d have heard the link between the sound of the two bands. This was wild, adventurous, off the wall, impeccably performed, unpredictable and utterly absorbing. I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen or stop listening. I played it again, and again and again after making the video. I’d never heard music like it, and it excited me very much! Little didn’t I know I was taking my first tentative, baby steps into the weird and wonderful world of progressive metal.
Just a few weeks later, I was back with more. This time a live performance. This sealed the deal for me. I knew Haken were about to become a very very important band for me.
I didn’t know any albums at the stage, I didn’t know Aquarius from which this was taken. I had so much to discover and uncover. The rollercoaster journey that their music takes you on is just wonderful. Although they’ve been compared with heavy weights Dream Theater, and you can certainly understand that, I always felt Haken had whimsy in their music, a quirkiness and English eccentricity that gelled and connected with me in a way that Dream Theater didn’t. I absolutely adore Dream Theater, don’t get me wrong, but Haken have a certain something that just sits right with me. It’s like a cheeky friend with a knowing wink that you are comfortable with rather that the perfect specimen that can be admired and respected, but can never share a pint with! If Haken was a bloke, we’d be mates, whereas Dream Theater would be the fella that you’re always slightly in awe of but too intimidated to get to know well!
I’ve had the good fortune to see the band live a few times and chatted with Ray Hearn (drums) and Richard Henshall (guitar/keys). They are such down to Earth, ordinary guys who happen to be in this amazing band! That they’ve mostly known each other from teenage years is evident in the way they talk about each other and the chemistry on and off the stage. Releasing music since 2010, I sense there’s a lot more to come yet!
The links below will take you to Amazon where you can buy these amazing records.
Jim’s Adventures In Music 