Haken v. new single Nightingale (April 26)

[Nekov]

As I said in my review, that song is the most standard Haken song. By quite a long way in fact.

Brilliant vid though!

Agreed, very standard Haken song. Not bad at all, but not really that interesting. I want more!

[mikeyd23]

Eh, the single was okay... nothing too memorable from it though.

[jakepriest]

Pretty average by Haken standards. Nothing exciting to be honest.

[Evermind]

Average by Haken standards or not, I really like this song.

[ariich]

A couple of other observations about the song, which I also mentioned my in my review.

1. The whole album, in my opinion, takes a few listens to really sink in.

2. This is very much an opening song that introduces the album. Stylistically it's the most typically-Haken song on the album, but it introduces musical themes and lyrical concepts that are explored in later songs. In particular, there is a glorious reprise of the chorus (though adapted) at the end of The Architect, and the main rhythmic motif is similarly reprised in a more atmospheric way to close off the album at the end of Bound by Gravity.

My point is, this song makes more sense as a part of the album. From that point of view, it's an unusual single choice, as other songs are more clearly defined on their own. I guess it was the "safe" single for fans who like their style.

[me7]

Wanted to post a lengthy speculation how it feels like a song that leads up to later things, but ariich rendered any speculation unnecessary.
Next time, give us some time for discussion before you come with the facts 

Love the Leprous influence, the drumming is really tasty, but I won't spin this single as often as I did Atlas Stone. It's not exciting on its own.

[Crow]

okay when i was joking that DT should make djent I didn't expect Haken to go and actually do it
i mean it's not pure-brootal-djent or anything but the rhythmic chords throughout and the grooves of the instrumental bit in the middle are obviously djent-inspired

anyways i find it pretty meh

[ThatOneGuy2112]

It's a decent song, just not much more IMO. Not the most satisfying of endings when it sorta just fizzles out so it doesn't really work as a stand-alone song for me, but I'm sure it'll work much better in context with the rest of the album.

[Evermind]

okay when i was joking that DT should make djent I didn't expect Haken to go and actually do it
i mean it's not pure-brootal-djent or anything but the rhythmic chords throughout and the grooves of the instrumental bit in the middle are obviously djent-inspired

I really like this song.

See, it's obviously not djent.

[ariich]

Wanted to post a lengthy speculation how it feels like a song that leads up to later things, but ariich rendered any speculation unnecessary.
Next time, give us some time for discussion before you come with the facts 

Sorry, I'll try and be less helpful in future.

Love the Leprous influence, the drumming is really tasty, but I won't spin this single as often as I did Atlas Stone. It's not exciting on its own.

Yeah this is not a song I would listen to on its own.

okay when i was joking that DT should make djent I didn't expect Haken to go and actually do it
i mean it's not pure-brootal-djent or anything but the rhythmic chords throughout and the grooves of the instrumental bit in the middle are obviously djent-inspired

Indeed, though they were already doing this on The Mountain and even in one of two places on Visions.

[Enigmachine]

Really great song. Unexpectedly mid-paced and melancholy (sounds like a mid-album track really as opposed to something more upbeat like Atlas Stone), but still works really well. Leprous influence is welcomed from me.

[ariich]

Just watched the vid again and it really highlights how awesome Conner's bass work on the song is.

[hefdaddy42]

I really like the new song!  Can't wait for the rest of the album!

[mike099]

Just watched the vid again and it really highlights how awesome Conner's bass work on the song is.

I just now listened on my phone and was coming here to post how the bass and drum sound is impressive.  Whomever is responsible for the sound on Haken's cd's does a wonderful job.  It will be difficult to match The Mountain, but I am sure that I will love it.

Concerning Aquarius, I notice the cd is not available on the Haken site and some folks say it may be out of print, but why would it not be available on iTunes?  I would purchase it if is was available. 

[Nekov]

Aquiarius is not available in Spotify either. Maybe there's a legal problem with it?

[Sir Walrus Cauliflower]

Yeah I noticed that. I think it might be some sort of issue with licensing renewal as far as Spotify is concerned. Every Cicus Maximus album expect Nine disappeared for a long time but was finally added again. Digging the new song tho

[Heretic]

New song is great, glad to hear it's also the most Haken-y of the songs!

[BlackInk]

I love the track.

Singles are rarely among my favorites from any album, and if that is true here as well then this album will be amazeballs.

[Mosh]

Didn't really care for it, hope the rest is better.

[Sacul]

Didn't really care for it, hope the rest is better.

[erwinrafael]

Well, comparing to the first "non-intro" full songs from the first three albums (The Point of No Return, Nocturnal Conspiracy, Atlas Stone), this is pretty  underwhelming.

[BlackInk]

It's like everyone's listening to a different song than I did.

[Orthogonal]

I like the Initiate. It is standard Haken and that is more than good enough for me. I have high hopes for the album with so many other disappointing releases this year.

[me7]

Well, comparing to the first "non-intro" full songs from the first three albums (The Point of No Return, Nocturnal Conspiracy, Atlas Stone), this is pretty  underwhelming.

Apparently this time around, the intro track "affinity.exe" is just sound effects. "Initiate" (according to ariich) introduces musical themes that are expanded later in the album, not unlike "Premonition" from Visions. I don't think it's appropriate to compare it to "Atlas Stone" and "Nocturnal Conspiracy".

EDIT: But this doesn't change that it's a bad single.

[erwinrafael]

I hope so. But Haken opened their past three Lbums well, so I was kind of let down by this one.

[KevShmev]

Pretty below average song; don't care to hear it again.

Then again, their stuff is usually hit or miss for me; I am sure the new album will have some songs I will enjoy. 

[Zydar]

I have high hopes for the album with so many other disappointing releases this year.

Yeah, it's the album I am waiting the most for this year. TA didn't really do it for me.

[BlackInk]

Nothing on The Astonishing is as good as Initiate.

[Implode]

Nothing on The Astonishing is as good as Initiate.

Debatable, but only because i'm in love with the verse to Life Left Behind. Initiate is better than 99% of The Astonishing.

Count me in the with the crowd that loves it. Really looking forward to the album.

[Nick]

Well, the Haken cup overfloweth as of late.

https://wpapu.com/interview-diego-tejeida-of-haken/

There is my interview with Diego, enjoy!

[Enigmachine]

Even though I think Initiate is good, I don't think it's as good as at least half the stuff on TA.

[Train of Naught]

Just bought tickets to my first Haken concert ever!  Really pumped for this.

Checked out that supporting act, not crazy about it, but it's pretty cool.

[Elite]

See you there then!

[Train of Naught]

 

[twosuitsluke]

Really getting to the point where I'm starting to fall in love with this band. I ordered a t-shirt off their website and everything  I'm going to try not to OD on them but it's pretty hard.

Plus I've just realised they're playing about a 45 minute drive away from me at the end of May. May have to buy 2 tickets and get a friend into them by then, no chance my girlfriend will be up for it