Haken v. new single Nightingale (April 26)

[KevShmev]

Haken's lead singles have been a dud for me from the last three albums, even on Affinity (where every other song was a major winner), so I won't write them off if this song isn't to my liking, but I will reiterate that my expectations for them in general are drastically lower following two pretty average albums combined with the departure of my favorite member of the band.

[King Postwhore]

Kev, have you heard the Nova Colective album.  Pete is excellent on it.

[KevShmev]

No, I have not, but the last thing I need right now is something new, as I am so behind already. 

[King Postwhore]

Lolol. It would give you an idea of Pete's playing style.

[gzarruk]

A couple listens in and I already like this song much more than all of Virus

The Haken I love is back

[jammindude]

So freaking jealous right now. 

[GasparXR]

My first impression is that it sounds a bit like the more offbeat whackiness of The Mountain, but with riffs akin to what's on Vector/Virus, but also something new I can't quite put my finger on. It's not quite as a dark as Virus, but more on par with the darkest songs from the first four albums. Something that struck me production-wise (at least from the YouTube version which is all I've heard, is how not up-front the guitars are, despite being pretty audible. That's some magic mixing wizardry there. The keyboards have tons of room to breathe.

Another note, is it just me, or does Ross sound ridiculously good on this? Something about his performance, and the way his voice is produced/mixed on this song, seems to bring out all the best from his voice.

Btw, I noticed they got Jens Bogren back on board. I liked what he did for them from The Mountain to Affinity, and this sounds even better than those by a wide margin.

[The Letter M]

https://youtu.be/zh-zbJfDO40

After 1 listen - I don't hate it, but I didn't really get into it right away. Album context might bring me around to it though. Very rhythmically complex!

-Marc.

[ariich]

My first impression is that it sounds a bit like the more offbeat whackiness of The Mountain, but with riffs akin to what's on Vector/Virus, but also something new I can't quite put my finger on. It's not quite as a dark as Virus, but more on par with the darkest songs from the first four albums. Something that struck me production-wise (at least from the YouTube version which is all I've heard, is how not up-front the guitars are, despite being pretty audible. That's some magic mixing wizardry there. The keyboards have tons of room to breathe.

Another note, is it just me, or does Ross sound ridiculously good on this? Something about his performance, and the way his voice is produced/mixed on this song, seems to bring out all the best from his voice.

Btw, I noticed they got Jens Bogren back on board. I liked what he did for them from The Mountain to Affinity, and this sounds even better than those by a wide margin.

This is all really perceptive, some great observations. A few thoughts in response:

Yep, Bogren is back. What I really like about this is that he's managed to maintain enough of the punchy sound from Vector/Virus, but not at the expense of his trademark sense of atmosphere. The man is a genius and I'm really glad Haken are using him again, and I completely agree that this is the best he's made Haken sound.

Your comments on the guitars/keys mix are great to read. My understanding is that the band paid attention to this - not in a "this is a keys-led song" way or anything, but in more of a "the guitars are too dominant in some places" sort of way.

Also cool to see your comments about Ross, again I agree. I think (but I might be wrong) that on Vector and Virus he'd recorded his vocals with Diego and they ended up sounding a bit processed (although I personally still thought he sounded great). He sounds more natural here and stronger for it.

Finally in terms of style, yes my view is similar. Some Mountain, with a bit of Vector and in my opinion a bit of Visions in there too.

[ariich]

https://youtu.be/zh-zbJfDO40

After 1 listen - I don't hate it, but I didn't really get into it right away. Album context might bring me around to it though. Very rhythmically complex!

-Marc.

Not sure it's unusually complex for them (some sections of other songs I still can't quite follow having listened for years - which isn't the case here). But yes it's not a very immediate song - it's somewhat rhythmically complex, the song structure is unusual, and the melodic hooks don't quite go where you might expect at first.

If you plan to give it several listens now (rather than waiting for an album) I'd be interested to see what you think.

[me7]

I prefer the atmosphere over Virus, but I miss the ability to easily distinguish both guitar lines at all times.

[Elite]

Could this be their best song in years?
Unsure yet whether I prefer this one over Invasion and Puzzle Box (my favourites from the last two albums), but I can see it overtaking them eventually.

[Zydar]

I gave it a listen this morning, and as expected it's a lot to take in. It needs many more spins before it all clicks with me. But I really like the sound and mix of it.

[emtee]

First spin was at 4 am while waking up. I don't recommend this 😀.

Not sure what to think yet.

[TM172003]

I love the chorus and the general mix sounds good but to my ears the drums don't sound as punchy as they did on Vector/Virus.

I do like it from the first listen but it'll definitely be a grower, it's a lot to take in.

[faizoff]

That was a great track. Is that the artwork they're going for just the track or the whole album?

[MinistroRaven]

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/IeENKWcitCw

Stream & download the track here: https://haken.lnk.to/Nightingale-Single

The band comments:

"Nightingale was the first track Pete Jones presented to the band after rejoining Haken this year. The initial song idea quickly inspired of the classic Haken sound and naturally evolved into some new harmonic territory. The song ranges from delicate moments to monstrous riffs.

We enlisted Jens Bogren to mix Nightingale and, as always, he's blown us away by capturing every detail while delivering power and energy. We couldn't be happier with the finished product.

Lyrically, the song reflects on the creative process itself; with a message that although it may be difficult of late, we must remember to be thankful for the positives in life; be they big or small."

[ReaperKK]

Just gave Nightingale a spin and I liked it more than most of the stuff Haken I've heard (which isn't much to begin with). I love the heaviness of the track but I don't like the quirkiness of it. I'm interesting in giving the album a spin because this song does have some beautiful moments.

[jammindude]

On the first spin, I really really really liked that!

[WilliamMunny]

My first impression is that it sounds a bit like the more offbeat whackiness of The Mountain, but with riffs akin to what's on Vector/Virus, but also something new I can't quite put my finger on. It's not quite as a dark as Virus, but more on par with the darkest songs from the first four albums. Something that struck me production-wise (at least from the YouTube version which is all I've heard, is how not up-front the guitars are, despite being pretty audible. That's some magic mixing wizardry there. The keyboards have tons of room to breathe.

Another note, is it just me, or does Ross sound ridiculously good on this? Something about his performance, and the way his voice is produced/mixed on this song, seems to bring out all the best from his voice.

Btw, I noticed they got Jens Bogren back on board. I liked what he did for them from The Mountain to Affinity, and this sounds even better than those by a wide margin.

Yes! This is, by far, more interesting to my ears than virtually anything on the previous two albums.

Listening to Aquarious and Visions, I'm always struck by the raw emotion in Ross' voice, emotion that becomes muted by the prouduction tecniques used on later albums.

His solo disc proves that he has the chops to croon, and there are a few moments here where he does just that.

As for the music, Gaspar is spot on: a solid mix of styles here.

Can't wait to hear this in the context of the record!

[cramx3]

Great mix on this, sound is great here.  First listen and as others have said, I'm going to need more to really "get" this song.  Having said that, I did enjoy it on first listen, but kind of hard to form much of an opinion besides what is very clear to me that this is a good mix and the band sounds great.

[lonestar]

So. Fucking. Good.

[NoFred]

My first impression is that it sounds a bit like the more offbeat whackiness of The Mountain, but with riffs akin to what's on Vector/Virus, but also something new I can't quite put my finger on. It's not quite as a dark as Virus, but more on par with the darkest songs from the first four albums. Something that struck me production-wise (at least from the YouTube version which is all I've heard, is how not up-front the guitars are, despite being pretty audible. That's some magic mixing wizardry there. The keyboards have tons of room to breathe.

Another note, is it just me, or does Ross sound ridiculously good on this? Something about his performance, and the way his voice is produced/mixed on this song, seems to bring out all the best from his voice.

Btw, I noticed they got Jens Bogren back on board. I liked what he did for them from The Mountain to Affinity, and this sounds even better than those by a wide margin.

Yes! This is, by far, more interesting to my ears than virtually anything on the previous two albums.

Listening to Aquarious and Visions, I'm always struck by the raw emotion in Ross' voice, emotion that becomes muted by the prouduction tecniques used on later albums.

His solo disc proves that he has the chops to croon, and there are a few moments here where he does just that.

As for the music, Gaspar is spot on: a solid mix of styles here.

Can't wait to hear this in the context of the record!

Good song, the denser visions sound but with their more all over the place writing.

Ross comment on a Reddit post comparing Nightingale to his solo and Novena work:

Thanks for the comment! For Nightingale, I made the decision to have my vocals engineered by the same guy who produced Novena's stuff, since I also felt they sit among my finest work. We have a great working relationship and he really gets the best out of my voice. His name is Paul Winstanley and he also engineered my solo album vocals too! All previous Haken releases have been self produced/engineered by band members. Rj

[hefdaddy42]

This just in:

The new single is pretty damn good.

[ariich]

This just in:

The new single is pretty damn good.

Excellent, I'll let Pete know that the hef hath spoken.

[jammindude]

This just in:

The new single is pretty damn good.

Excellent, I'll let Pete know that the hef hath spoken.

Tell him The Dude abides!!

[ariich]

This just in:

The new single is pretty damn good.

Excellent, I'll let Pete know that the hef hath spoken.

Tell him The Dude abides!!

He's going to think I've lost my mind.

Perhaps I'll just let him know that DTF digs the song and sends their best wishes.

[425]

Just listened to it once, and I agree with the positive impressions that have been posted here. Definitely a move in a stylistic direction that interests me more than the last couple of albums did, and I liked the song itself.

[King Postwhore]

This just in:

The new single is pretty damn good.

Excellent, I'll let Pete know that the hef hath spoken.

Tell him The Dude abides!!

He's going to think I've lost my mind.

Perhaps I'll just let him know that DTF digs the song and sends their best wishes.

Send him a picture of the Hefnotoad. 

[hefdaddy42]

This just in:

The new single is pretty damn good.

Excellent, I'll let Pete know that the hef hath spoken.

Yes, and ask when there will be another Nova Collective project, because that shit is fire.

[gzarruk]

To echo some of the comments already made here, Nightingale is amazing

To me, it sounds like Visions and The Mountain combined with a little bit of Vector thrown in there, and I agree that bringing Jens Bogren back was the best decision sonically, as I'm not a fan of the sound of Virus at all.

Now, some things I hope happen next in Haken land are:
- They get to finally record that Vector/Virus live album this year and include a live version of Nightingale with it.
- We also get the new studio album soon, either later this year or very early next year.
- They give the Restoration treatment to the other 3 songs from the original demo to bring them full circle now that Pete's back in the band. They could probably include them as bonus tracks on their new album, since they apparently write shorter albums now.

[Nick]

Gotta say, how I'm listening to Nightingale is really affecting how much I enjoy it. Generally at work I have one earbud in, with everything mono to it, and I was having a hard time. But then when I was able to listen with both or watch the video at home it's certainly growing on me. I generally agree however with those that say it's a pretty hard "single" to get into.

Knowing that their cruise sets will most likely be an hour each, here is my prediction based on what was originally hoped for 2020.

Set 1:
Vector in full
The Endless Knot or Initiate
Cockroach King

Set 2:
Virus in full
Nightingale

Then, for the SX tour I'm expecting something like:
Prosthetic
The Good Doctor
The Endless Knot
Nightingale
Carousel (That's what I want, but it'll likely be Invasion or The Strain more realistically)
Cockroach King

And even that might be a little long.

I think they wanted to get a Peter song out and in front of people for a reason and so I think they'll play that, otherwise they could have held it till after the tour and closer to album release.

[KevShmev]

Will need more listens, but the new song sounded pretty good on the first one.  Sound and production reminded me of the last three albums.

[ariich]

Knowing that their cruise sets will most likely be an hour each, here is my prediction based on what was originally hoped for 2020.

Set 1:
Vector in full
The Endless Knot or Initiate
Cockroach King

Set 2:
Virus in full
Nightingale

Nope.

[Nekov]

Well, the new song is definitely not for me. But that is to be expected. Based on the latest trend with Haken, this is an album that I probably won't like. I'll have to wait for the next one