The Haken thread v. Restoration

[Zydar]

I'd be kind of disappointed if it was one of those lyric videos that seem to be popular nowadays.

[me7]

I don't even care about the video, I just want to hear Darkest Light in studio quality!!!!

[me7]

It's up: https://hakenmusic.com/blog/post/restoration-ep-darkest-light-video-released

[aprilethereal]

Damn, I won't be able to listen till tonight

[Nekov]

I'm not impressed by the new song. I hate that Haken seems to be going to a musical style where they seem to care more about showcasing their technical skills rather than trying to build songs that have a good flow and are consistent.

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

That was more proggish than any of their previous albums combined. Less ear friendly melodies. Not complaining though, nice to see them experiment with their music. Look forward to the other songs.

[Onno]

It's not exactly a new song though, it's a rework of a song from the pre-Aquarius demo. Thus, it's probably more in the Aquarius-Visions direction than a The Mountain direction. Haven't heard it yet though. I didn't think The Mountain was about technical prowess.

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

Oh didn't know it was a rework. Cool!

[ariich]

I'm not impressed by the new song. I hate that Haken seems to be going to a musical style where they seem to care more about showcasing their technical skills rather than trying to build songs that have a good flow and are consistent.

This is a reworking of a song from their original demo.

But besides, how is the song any more of a "showcase" than any of their other stuff?

In my view, the song flows great, definitely better than the original.

[ariich]

It's not exactly a new song though, it's a rework of a song from the pre-Aquarius demo. Thus, it's probably more in the Aquarius-Visions direction than a The Mountain direction. Haven't heard it yet though. I didn't think The Mountain was about technical prowess.

I would say tonally this rework is more like The Mountain actually. I love it.

[me7]

I would say tonally this rework is more like The Mountain actually. I love it.

I also think that this reworked version is more similar to The Mountain than Aquarius, while the original "Blind" sounds like an Aquarius-era song.

[Onno]

I have just listened to it, and you are completely right. It does sound more like The Mountain. I really like it.

[ariich]

For those who know/like Blind, how do you think this rework compares?

In terms of sound and flow, I think they've done an amazing job. I love the djent feel of the riffing now, and the song definitely feels a bit more mature.

On the first couple of listens, I really did miss the dark waltz sections and the lovely jazzy instrumental from the original. But we still have Blind to listen to, and I think the changes help this standalone as basically a separate song. More like a sequel than a re-recording.

[Mebert78]

Listening to the new video.  Very kick ass.  I'm curious why Haken would decide to do an EP as opposed to a full studio album.  The band just had a breakthrough album in The Mountain, so if I were them I'd want to get back in the studio and follow up that effort with another strong studio album to cement that growing fanbase.  As a fan, I've rarely bought EPs.  I think DT's A Change of Seasons is one of the few I have.  But I might have to reconsider in this case.

[me7]

They ARE working on album 4, this is just a small side project.
The band often said in interviews that they'd like to rework the demo at some point.

[ariich]

Listening to the new video.  Very kick ass.  I'm curious why Haken would decide to do an EP as opposed to a full studio album.  The band just had a breakthrough album in The Mountain, so if I were them I'd want to get back in the studio and follow up that effort with another strong studio album to cement that growing fanbase.  As a fan, I've rarely bought EPs.  I think DT's A Change of Seasons is one of the few I have.  But I might have to reconsider in this case.

It's reworked songs from their original demo. As me7 said, they have started writing album 4, this was just a small project because they've wanted to redo some of the demo for a while, and fans have been asking them to do it for ages.

[Elite]

Is it any good? I know I'm going to have mixed feelings about it when I hear it, but since it's one of only 3 songs on the whole EP, I won't listen to it before I get my copy (I didn't pre-order the thing for nothing). I like Blind, so I hope this one can top that.

[Sacul]

Just istened to it once and it was damn great, this EP is surely promising.

[Zydar]

Yeah, this is going to require about 26 listens from me before it sinks in but it sounds promising

[BlackInk]

Great song. I have heard Blind a few time, not enough to really know everything that's still in and what got cut or reworked (aside from the most notable parts), but it sounds awesome all the same.

[Estiui]

I didn't love especially Blind. I don't like especially this new song. So I guess everything is OK. I'm looking forward to hearing the Snow remake, though.

[Lucien]

If you read the comments of that video, you'll find a lot of people actually like the "circus music" and wish it were still there. Some of them say the magic was lost from Haken when they ditched it.

How strange 

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

Haken started sucking after the demo.

tru haken 4ever

[Dr. DTVT]

I don't get the decision to only put a CD version with the vinyl.  I could see vinyl with no CD version, but if you are going to include a CD copy with vinyl, why not just sell a CD version as well?

[BlackInk]

DAT 8 STRING DOE

[Nick]

For those who know/like Blind, how do you think this rework compares?

To be completely honest, it's been so long since I've given the demo much of a listen it's tough for me to compare. That said, this version kicks all sort of ass!

ALL HAIL HAKEN

[mike099]

Haken started sucking after the demo.

tru haken 4ever

I am new to Haken and have not heard the demos, but those are fighting words

[Nick]

Haken were cooler before they started writing the music.

[ariich]

I don't get the decision to only put a CD version with the vinyl.  I could see vinyl with no CD version, but if you are going to include a CD copy with vinyl, why not just sell a CD version as well?

Yeah that's what I was saying a few days ago. They've got the expense of making the CDs anyway, why not sell them alone?

For those who know/like Blind, how do you think this rework compares?

To be completely honest, it's been so long since I've given the demo much of a listen it's tough for me to compare. That said, this version kicks all sort of ass!

ALL HAIL HAKEN

ALL HAIL

[Dr. DTVT]

Rich; you, more than anyone else here, are in position to forward our concerns to the band.

[Lucidity]

I think it feels like a step back form The Mountain; it's lacking the melodiousness that made me love The Mountain so much. But that's just my personal taste. It also feels more sonically overwhelming and less nicely mixed. Not what I was hoping for, but maybe it'll grow on me.

[jammindude]

I've been getting very familiar with the demo tracks over the last couple weeks.   I love every single note.   That CD has been stuck in my car since I got it in the mail.

Having said that...this is a BIG improvement over the original. 

And all the nay-sayers are still talking like they don't know that this is re-worked demo tracks from '07-'08.   How many announcements does there have to be???  This doesn't sound like The Mountain BECAUSE THEY ARE RE-RECORDED SEVEN YEAR OLD DEMOS!!!   (there...hopefully that clears things up.  )

[ariich]

And all the nay-sayers are still talking like they don't know that this is re-worked demo tracks from '07-'08.   How many announcements does there have to be???  This doesn't sound like The Mountain BECAUSE THEY ARE RE-RECORDED SEVEN YEAR OLD DEMOS!!!   (there...hopefully that clears things up.  )

Yeah, I've said it twice in the last page or so, and so I can't be bothered to say it again. People need to learn to read the thread.

[GasparXR]

And all the nay-sayers are still talking like they don't know that this is re-worked demo tracks from '07-'08.   How many announcements does there have to be???  This doesn't sound like The Mountain BECAUSE THEY ARE RE-RECORDED SEVEN YEAR OLD DEMOS!!!   (there...hopefully that clears things up.  )

Yeah, I've said it twice in the last page or so, and so I can't be bothered to say it again. People need to learn to read the thread.

Indeed! I find this new version is like a blend of newer and older Haken, much like the definitive version of ACOS is a mix of older and newer (at the time) DT we all know and love.

I'm really loving it, especially after hearing only the bootlegs of this. As much as I did love the jazzy instrumental from Blind, the song as a whole is better and more concise than it used to be.

EDIT: It looks like the US InsideOutStore will also have the vinyl/CD. I'm assuming it's going to be cheaper, so I will probably cancel my import order if that's the case. Also, the Haken store will have crystal clear vinyls! (It's on the blog on the website)

[Nick]

EDIT: It looks like the US InsideOutStore will also have the vinyl/CD. I'm assuming it's going to be cheaper, so I will probably cancel my import order if that's the case. Also, the Haken store will have crystal clear vinyls! (It's on the blog on the website)

Alright then... as long as price isn't crazy, I'll be cancelling my Burning Shed order and getting the clear version direct from them.