Haken v. new single Nightingale (April 26)

[axeman90210]

Just learned this today, the Japanese version of Virus has an acoustic version of Canary Yellow as a bonus track featuring some vocals from Courtney of Bent Knee

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgODjCpmElU

[cramx3]

The final show of the NA tour was last night, thought they were pretty good as usual.  First time watching from the back in a theater balcony setting so I could actually see they do have a bit of a light show!  Looked like most of the band was hanging out after the show as well.    Good times, but I hope when they return some of these songs are no longer on the setlist.  Specifically, Nightingale which I don't think works live very well, Nil By Mouth, and one if not both of Cockroach King / 1985.  Those last two have been played at every single Haken show I've been too.  I get it, bands have songs they always play, but those aren't short songs and there's so much music that doesn't get played live when they aren't getting 90+ minute sets. 

Haken - Prosthetic LIVE @ Wellmont Theater Montclair NJ 6/12/2022

Haken - Nightingale LIVE @ Wellmont Theater Montclair NJ 6/12/2022



also I could clearly see Ray and Peter this time (the NYC venue was much smaller so they were cramped on the stage that night).  I'll have my full video of all my clips up later tonight.

[me7]

I just gave Charlie's solo album a listen and I'm pleasently surprised. The first two singles didn't resonate with me, "Arctic Cemetery" reminded me too much of BTBAM and "Tiktaalika" felt like a riff showcase without musical flow. I was worried that this was Charlie's aim with this solo project and that the whole album would be like that, and boy was I wrong. The album is diverse and flows beautifully from start to finish. The track "Tiktaalika" is placed near the end and with the rest of the album in the back of your head, it works really well as a retrospective and breather before the finale.

Anyway, don't sleep on this album.

[gmillerdrake]

I just gave Charlie's solo album a listen and I'm pleasently surprised. The first two singles didn't resonate with me, "Arctic Cemetery" reminded me too much of BTBAM and "Tiktaalika" felt like a riff showcase without musical flow. I was worried that this was Charlie's aim with this solo project and that the whole album would be like that, and boy was I wrong. The album is diverse and flows beautifully from start to finish. The track "Tiktaalika" is placed near the end and with the rest of the album in the back of your head, it works really well as a retrospective and breather before the finale.

Anyway, don't sleep on this album.

What's the album name?

[me7]

Tiktaalika

[ariich]

Yeah I think people who like the heavier, riffier side of Haken's music should generally like it. Lots of influences from Devin Townsend, BTBAM and thrash thrown in there too.

I agree with you about flow. I've been listening for a little while and there's not a huge number of strong vocal hooks, the album flows really well and he uses recurring themes really well! Overall a great album IMO.

[Fritzinger]

I am in the middle of a pretty heavy studying phase for an exam right now so I don't have the time to listen to any music  I'm looking forward to hearing this one though!!! I'm curious, how do Charlie's lead vocals sound?

[hefdaddy42]

Just listened to Charlie's new album, and I liked it a lot.  Very heavy, and very proggy, with a lot of energy.  10 pounds of fun in a 5 pound bag.

[me7]

I am in the middle of a pretty heavy studying phase for an exam right now so I don't have the time to listen to any music  I'm looking forward to hearing this one though!!! I'm curious, how do Charlie's lead vocals sound?

He does one of the shorter tracks, the song is heavily influenced by the more subdued side of Adrian-Belew-era King Crimson and his vocal performance is spot-on for what the music tries to accomplish.

[RodrigoAltaf]

 Matching the album release date, here's my chat with Charlie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGLhfz6AJtQ

[Glasser]

Just listened to Charlie's new album, and I liked it a lot.  Very heavy, and very proggy, with a lot of energy.  10 pounds of fun in a 5 pound bag.

Love it! Is that like "he looks like he won the 100 yard dash in a 50 yard gym" ? 

[NoFred]

Listened to this earlier during a long run... Wow this is way better than expected. Will repeat often next week while working, could be best of any of their side projects (thinking Novena is tops up til now).

Fantasy casting: would have been great to hear Burton Bell do Crawl Walk Run. After Prosthetic and this song I'm sure Charlie likes himself some early Fear Factory.

[Elite]

I got Tiktaalika in the mail today. Will listen to it soon

[devieira73]

I've listened to the album twice and it's actually really really good. I'm kind of pleasantly surprised by the quality of the songwriting... I don't know, I think I underestimated Charlie's skills as Richard was always the main songwriter on Haken.

[Nick]

I've listened to the album twice and it's actually really really good. I'm kind of pleasantly surprised by the quality of the songwriting... I don't know, I think I underestimated Charlie's skills as Richard was always the main songwriter on Haken.

FWIW Richard WAS the main songwriter in Haken, from what I understand the last few albums have been much more of a group effort in that department.

[me7]

I've listened to the album twice and it's actually really really good. I'm kind of pleasantly surprised by the quality of the songwriting... I don't know, I think I underestimated Charlie's skills as Richard was always the main songwriter on Haken.

I think I know what you mean. I've had the misconception that Hen was sort of an editor who was needed to mold the ideas of the other members into coherent albums. Hen's great solo album solidified this belief at first, but the quality of Ross' and Charlie's albums changed my perspective. What a coincidence that this outrageously talented bunch of musicians found together.

[devieira73]

Yes, I saw some interviews where they say the approach of their songwriting changed since The Mountain (I believe...), but I was still thinking (maybe wrongly) that Charlie was the main driving force behind it. Anyway, I'm very happy to confirm the amazing set of songwriters that Haken has, I also love Ross's album and Hen's is amazing.

[krands85]

Just had my first listen to Tiktaalika and really enjoyed it 

[gmillerdrake]

Just had my first listen to Tiktaalika and really enjoyed it 

Yeah....I've listened to it about 4 or 5 times now, really digging it.

[cramx3]

Since everyone here seems to be liking it, I'm listening to Charlies album now... I'm getting some Devin Townsend (the heavy/proggy side) vibes which could make sense since they toured together before this album.  Liking it so far 

[Metro]

Jumping on the hype wagon for Tiktaalika. This is a fantastic album 

Definitely wears its influences on its sleeve. I hear Megadeth, Metallica, BTBAM, Dream Theater,  and parts of it sound like if King Crimson wrote a Thrash Metal album.

[RodrigoAltaf]

Jumping on the hype wagon for Tiktaalika. This is a fantastic album 

Definitely wears its influences on its sleeve. I hear Megadeth, Metallica, BTBAM, Dream Theater,  and parts of it sound like if King Crimson wrote a Thrash Metal album.

The press release said it bridged the gap between King Crimson and King Diamond! 

[nick_z]

Finally got around to listening to Tiktaalika...I have to agree with the good people on this thread...what a fun ride!! Great playing and songs. Love the thrash metal influence creeping in 

[faizoff]

I concur with everyone that wrote above, what a fantastic album this Tktaalika is, had no idea Tommy Rogers was on it. Great album start to finish, it has so many cool ideas, riffs, vocals, everything. Such a fun listen.

[frogprog]

Sounds great Charlie! Nice work by a nice guy!

[emtee]

Charlie's album deserves a thread of its own. Amazing playing and one hell of a ride from front to back. So many cool parts and killer riffs!

[goo-goo]

Charlie's album deserves a thread of its own. Amazing playing and one hell of a ride from front to back. So many cool parts and killer riffs!

Tremendous album. I was not expecting to be heavy af. LOL. So far it is a very strong AOTY candidate.

[emtee]

Charlie's album deserves a thread of its own. Amazing playing and one hell of a ride from front to back. So many cool parts and killer riffs!

Tremendous album. I was not expecting to be heavy af. LOL. So far it is a very strong AOTY candidate.

Yep, VERY heavy.

[Zydar]

Haken announced just now that they've finished drum tracking for the new album.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CgmRyqns10Z/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

[gzarruk]

For those interested, here's the setlist for their show at Radar Festival today (basically their Symphony X tour set with 2 more songs):

Prosthetic
Invasion
Nightingale
Falling Back to Earth
Cockroach King
Nil by Mouth
1985
Carousel
The Architect

[KevShmev]

I'd be showing up late for any concert that started with Prosthetic.  What a tuneless technical piece of garbage that song is.  I just gave it a fresh listen to see if maybe I missing something,  Nope.  It is terrible.  What a shame that they are now ignoring songs from the first two albums and going down this road of these tuneless super metal tracks. 

[Buddyhunter1]

I can see why a lot of Haken fans wouldn't like Prosthetic and it's not one of their best songs, but it's easily my favorite from Virus.

[Deadeye21]

I absolutely love Prosthetic. It's a great tune!

[jammindude]

I absolutely love Prosthetic. It's a great tune!

Absolutely. Prosthetic alone saved me from my fears of where Haken might be headed. Vector was pretty good, but mostly a big letdown after the 4 album run that preceded it. But once I heard Prosthetic, I knew they were back with a vengeance. Saved the whole V/V cycle in my eyes.

[cramx3]

I absolutely love Prosthetic. It's a great tune!

Yup, awesome opener too. I'm not going to say it's "top Haken" or anything, but it's certainly not a song to miss.