Haken v. new single Nightingale (April 26)

[Evermind]

For those who already saw them on this tour (and SPOILERS about the setlist, although I think they will be quite obvious):
Which of the new songs work best for you guys during a live concert? I think, A Cell Divides has really grown on me. I always thought the song was awesome, but it worked even better in a live setting. My personal favourite was Nil By Mouth though!! This song kicked ass. So much that people behind us were starting a mosh pit. I have nothing against mosh pits since they are mostly peaceful, but I don't always want to take part in them. So it was good we stood in the very first row. But during the whole tune, I was like in a trance, it was absolutely mindblowing.

I still thought the latter was better than the studio version, but still was mostly bored. The former was absolutely glorious though, with the audience singing the chorus. I'm glad they've included it into the set in time for me to see it.

I thought the best one was Puzzle Box, it's such a perfect follow-up for the opener. The moment the intro riff kicked in I was in heaven.

[cramx3]

For those who already saw them on this tour (and SPOILERS about the setlist, although I think they will be quite obvious):
Which of the new songs work best for you guys during a live concert? I think, A Cell Divides has really grown on me. I always thought the song was awesome, but it worked even better in a live setting. My personal favourite was Nil By Mouth though!! This song kicked ass. So much that people behind us were starting a mosh pit. I have nothing against mosh pits since they are mostly peaceful, but I don't always want to take part in them. So it was good we stood in the very first row. But during the whole tune, I was like in a trance, it was absolutely mindblowing.

A Cell Divides wasn't in the set when I saw them, I'd say Nil By Mouth was much better live compared to the album, there was a good energy in that song that definitely gets the crowd pumped up.

[KevShmev]

I wouldn't have minded A Cell Divides getting played at our show here back in November, as I could have used a bathroom break.

[Evermind]

When I was complimenting them on the inclusion of A Cell Divides in the set, I had a thought like "shit, someone at DTF really hated this song, what if their show is still coming". Glad it worked out for you Kev.

[me7]

My favourite was Crystallised. The production on the studio release is somewhat underwhelming IMO, but this live version kicked ass.

EDIT: autocomplete

[Fritzinger]

My favourite was Crystallised. The production on the studio release is somewhat underwhelming IMO, this live version locked ass.

And they totally nailed the Acapella part!!! Sorry if all this tiny writing is getting ridiculous, but I don't want to spoil anything for anyone

Hey, did anyone see the awesome *very* last encore, too? I noticed they didn't play it everywhere. Fuckin AFRICA hell yeah

[nattmorker]

I really love A Cell Divides, I would really like it if it were on the setlist, although every song in the setlist was great for me. So, no complains!

[KevShmev]

When I was complimenting them on the inclusion of A Cell Divides in the set, I had a thought like "shit, someone at DTF really hated this song, what if their show is still coming". Glad it worked out for you Kev.

I don't hate the song, so much as I dislike the chorus a lot.  The rest of the song doesn't bother me, but I will never get past that "nails on a chalkboard" chorus.

[Mladen]

Yep, that chorus is attrocious.

[cramx3]

I don't love the song either, I'd have no issue with it being added to the set though.  I like a good rotation of songs and the more the better.

[nattmorker]

Yep, that chorus is attrocious.

It's funny how the same thing can be perceived in totally opposite ways. I really, really love that chorus! It's one of 2 or 3 things that stuck in my head after my first listen of the album.

[krands85]

Yep, that chorus is attrocious.

It's funny how the same thing can be perceived in totally opposite ways. I really, really love that chorus! It's one of 2 or 3 things that stuck in my head after my first listen of the album.

Likewise. It's my favourite song on the album I think.

[Progmetty]

I heard Visions when it came out and I've heard The Mountain when it came out. Neither one of them prompted me for a second spin. But I'm hearing too much buzz about this band, any other album recommendation you guys think can get me hooked?

[jammindude]

I heard Visions when it came out and I've heard The Mountain when it came out. Neither one of them prompted me for a second spin. But I'm hearing too much buzz about this band, any other album recommendation you guys think can get me hooked?

If The Mountain didn't bring you back for a 2nd spin, then you just don't like this band. 

But I strongly suggest my "5 spin rule".   I never judge an album until I've spun it 5 times.   Some albums just have an adjustment phase.   Especially albums that throw a big curve ball from what you're used to.

[Progmetty]

Roger that.

[me7]

Affinity is an interesting prog metal album, with some unusual influences. You could give it a spin to get a different take on Haken.

[Rattlehead]

Yep, that chorus is attrocious.

It's funny how the same thing can be perceived in totally opposite ways. I really, really love that chorus! It's one of 2 or 3 things that stuck in my head after my first listen of the album.

Likewise. It's my favourite song on the album I think.

It's one of my favorites on Vector too. Diego's part that starts at 3:00 is one of my favorite Haken moments on any album.

[erwinrafael]

I think I am the only Haken regular listener whose favorite album is Visions.  I really loved that phase of the band's music.

[cramx3]

I think I am the only Haken regular listener whose favorite album is Visions.  I really loved that phase of the band's music.

Nope, its just us two though

[KevShmev]

I went though a spell where I thought Visions was their best, but it was fleeting.  I do love how the production and keyboard sounds give it kind of a gritty and dirty feel, and the title track and Deathless are undoubtedly two of their best songs.

[Elite]

Portals and Deathless are undoubtedly two of their best songs.

Sure!

[gzarruk]

I think I am the only Haken regular listener whose favorite album is Visions.  I really loved that phase of the band's music.

I rank The Mountain first, but Visions is a close second

[The Letter M]

I think I am the only Haken regular listener whose favorite album is Visions.  I really loved that phase of the band's music.

I, too, really love Visions, both the song and the album. I came in to the band around when The Mountain came out, but it didn't impress me the way Visions did, and I like it the most out of their first three albums. I think I like Affinity slightly more, but Visions is still really high up there for me, especially the title track.

-Marc.

[faizoff]

Since I'm a newish fan of the band and having listened to all the records now quite a few times (though Visions and Aquarius still need more) I would rank them as such

1. Affinity
2. The Mountain
3. Vector
4. Visions
5. Aquarius

All very good but prefer them in this order. For the Restoration EP, I really love Crystallised don't have that much of a connection to the other two.

[MinistroRaven]

Since I'm a newish fan of the band and having listened to all the records now quite a few times (though Visions and Aquarius still need more) I would rank them as such

1. Affinity
2. The Mountain
3. Vector
4. Visions
5. Aquarius

All very good but prefer them in this order. For the Restoration EP, I really love Crystallised don't have that much of a connection to the other two.

That's my ranking too!

[Mladen]

Since I'm a newish fan of the band and having listened to all the records now quite a few times (though Visions and Aquarius still need more) I would rank them as such

1. Affinity
2. The Mountain
3. Vector
4. Visions
5. Aquarius

All very good but prefer them in this order. For the Restoration EP, I really love Crystallised don't have that much of a connection to the other two.

Oddly enough, if you switch 1 and 5, you get my ranking. 

[gzarruk]

Let's do this:

1. The Mountain
2. Visions
3. Affinity
4. Vector
5. Aquarius

[erwinrafael]

I went though a spell where I thought Visions was their best, but it was fleeting.  I do love how the production and keyboard sounds give it kind of a gritty and dirty feel, and the title track and Deathless are undoubtedly two of their best songs.

For me, the run from Insomnia to Deathless is perfect. I still have a high regard for the epic Visions, but over the years, I got tired listening to it. It has the opposite flaw of Celestial Elixir. While Celestial Elixir's problem is that there is no proper climax or payoff that's worth the time listening to such long piece of music, Visions' problem is that it has so many climaxes.

On another note, I just like to say that I love Ray Hearne's drumming. It's a shame he's not talked about much as one of the top prog drummers of this generation. I guess what's lacking with him is that he does not yet have a signature sound, the way Mangini, Portnoy, Jarzombek, Donati, Minnemann is recognizable just by hearing how the drums are played. He's like the Alan White of prog metal. 

[Zydar]

1. The Mountain
2. Affinity
3. Aquarius
4. Vector
5. Visions

[KevShmev]

I think I've done this before, but it is pretty set in stone now:

1. The Mountain
2. Aquarius
3. Affinity
4. Visions
5. Vector

[Implode]

1. Affinity
2. The Mountain
3. Aquarius
4. Vector
5. Visions

Every album is very good though imo.

Also +1 for liking The Cell Divides chorus.

[ariich]

Vector has solidified itself as my second favourite just slightly edging out Affinity (the latter is more varied but the former is more consistent IMO). I think Restoration has dropped a bit as well, I love the first two tracks, but it's mostly made up of Crystallised which is good but not one of my favourites.

1. The Mountain
2. Vector
3. Affinity
4. Visions
5. Restoration
6. Aquarius
7. Demo

[ariich]

Oh and also Saturday night's London gig was fantastic, the sound and performances were incredible from all three bands.

In terms of Haken's set, I loved the first hour as it was exciting to hear the Vector songs and they're really great live, and then FBTE and 1985 are among my favourite Haken songs. Bit less exciting after than, Architect is a lower-ranked song for me although some of it is amazing live, and Crystallised similarly has some great bits and pretty meh bits and I always find it slightly underwhelming live personally. And then we got treated to their cover of Africa with a few people from VOLA and Bent Knee (plus some crew) joining them. It was a very cool note to end the tour on.

Also, some of you have probably seen the Haken/Britney Spears mash up that was posted on Facebook a week or two ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqZ7hie6Ng0

Well that's what Ross sang for the final verse in The Good Doctor on Saturday night.

[erwinrafael]

I have been binge-listening on Haken the past few days and I have got to say that Affinity is one of the most frustrating albums to listen to. It's brillian EVERY OTHER SONG, but it's also really underwhelming every other song.  I actually decided to just create an affinity EP in my phone that consists of

Affinity.exe/Initiate
Lapse
Earthrise
The Endless Knot

I am thinking of just combining these songs to the ones I like in Vector as my playlist of this phase in Haken's sound.

Also, why does Haken think it a good idea to split Tracks 1 and 2 in these last 2 albums when they are obviously meant to go together? I don't get it.

[Evermind]

Well that's what Ross sang for the final verse in The Good Doctor on Saturday night.

I'm usually against filming with phones during gigs (occasional photo or two is fine by me), but I need to see the video of that.

I really liked The Architect live, thought the song came across way better than the studio version. Crystallized was a bit of a letdown though, yeah.