Haken thread v. "Evening With" tour (some set spoilers)

[BlackInk]

Still really liking the album, although I noticed that I often start at Alphabet, skipping the first two tracks. Not that they're necissarily bad (although there's something about Nightingale I find difficult to get into), I just find them the least interesting of the bunch.

[twosuitsluke]

This album hasn't grabbed me by the balls yet (hopefully there's still time), but I will say I'm loving Lovebite followed by Elephants Never Forget.

[NoFred]

Still really liking the album, although I noticed that I often start at Alphabet, skipping the first two tracks. Not that they're necissarily bad (although there's something about Nightingale I find difficult to get into), I just find them the least interesting of the bunch.

Nightingale comes across as "Haken writes a Haken song" (not a bad thing at all - I'd suggest this one to anybody that's never heard them... it's a cool tune that isn't too long) which was probably their goal since it was a standalone single showcasing Pete's return. But it's missing a defining part/tone relative to the rest of Fauna for sure. I can see hearing it as a prelude to the rest of what's to come, and skipping it on repeat plays.

[jammindude]

I think the first two songs work as a perfect "bridge" to the rest of Fauna. Something a bit familiar to ease you into the rest of the album.

I think the entire album flows perfectly. Every spin gets better. Eyes of Ebony hit me really hard yesterday. Just an incredible song.

[me7]

I mean this in a good and entertaining way, but Nightingale is almost self parody

[ariich]

I did start from Alphabet a handful times on earlier listens because I found Taurus by far the least interesting song on the album, and while I loved Nightingale I knew it so well already.

I liked it when Doug Helvering described Nightingale as "the most Haken that Haken has ever Hakened".

[axeman90210]

I liked it when Doug Helvering described Nightingale as "the most Haken that Haken has ever Hakened".

fwiw we had a listening party for Fauna the Saturday after it came out on Doug's patreon Discord and when Elephants ended Doug was like "OK that may actually be the most Haken that Haken's ever Hakened"

[Revenge319]

I've listened to Fauna three times so far, and I'm having a hard time getting into this one compared to any of their other albums. That being said, though, I think whenever I finally do get into it, I'm gonna enjoy it a whole lot. There's lots of creative stuff on this album, though, so despite this one not immediately hooking me like all their other albums, I'm still quite impressed so far.

[CrimsonSunrise]

It's really taking me awhile to unpack everything this album has to offer.  That being said it hits me as one of their most unique and complex efforts.  My ONLY negative so far is that it seems to be lacking an incredibly strong song (hit).  On most Haken albums there's a song or two that really hook me.  This album really doesn't.  The positive though is the majority of the songs are very strong with no weak filler tracks.  For me it's a very enjoyable album, complex and multi layered in every song.

On a side note..

A primordial giant at the gates of Valhalla.........

What and EPIC chorus!

[Estiui]

It's really taking me awhile to unpack everything this album has to offer.  That being said it hits me as one of their most unique and complex efforts.  My ONLY negative so far is that it seems to be lacking an incredibly strong song (hit).  On most Haken albums there's a song or two that really hook me.  This album really doesn't.  The positive though is the majority of the songs are very strong with no weak filler tracks.  For me it's a very enjoyable album, complex and multi layered in every song.

I agree 100% on that. I'd say Alphabet of Me or Sempiternal Beings are my favorites, but still far from the likes of Invasion, Messiah Complex, Veil, Host, Falling Back To Earth, Visions, Celestial Elixir, Crystallized...

[cramx3]

It's really taking me awhile to unpack everything this album has to offer.  That being said it hits me as one of their most unique and complex efforts.  My ONLY negative so far is that it seems to be lacking an incredibly strong song (hit).  On most Haken albums there's a song or two that really hook me.  This album really doesn't.  The positive though is the majority of the songs are very strong with no weak filler tracks.  For me it's a very enjoyable album, complex and multi layered in every song.

I agree 100% on that. I'd say Alphabet of Me or Sempiternal Beings are my favorites, but still far from the likes of Invasion, Messiah Complex, Veil, Host, Falling Back To Earth, Visions, Celestial Elixir, Crystallized...

Yeah, after a bunch of listens, I think this is probably why I rank the album lower than the rest.  Just no top Haken tracks on it for me.

[krands85]

It's really taking me awhile to unpack everything this album has to offer.  That being said it hits me as one of their most unique and complex efforts.  My ONLY negative so far is that it seems to be lacking an incredibly strong song (hit).  On most Haken albums there's a song or two that really hook me.  This album really doesn't.  The positive though is the majority of the songs are very strong with no weak filler tracks.  For me it's a very enjoyable album, complex and multi layered in every song.

I agree 100% on that. I'd say Alphabet of Me or Sempiternal Beings are my favorites, but still far from the likes of Invasion, Messiah Complex, Veil, Host, Falling Back To Earth, Visions, Celestial Elixir, Crystallized...

Yeah, after a bunch of listens, I think this is probably why I rank the album lower than the rest.  Just no top Haken tracks on it for me.

Same for me and it's a similar story to Virus sadly.

[Kram]

It's really taking me awhile to unpack everything this album has to offer.  That being said it hits me as one of their most unique and complex efforts.  My ONLY negative so far is that it seems to be lacking an incredibly strong song (hit).  On most Haken albums there's a song or two that really hook me.  This album really doesn't.  The positive though is the majority of the songs are very strong with no weak filler tracks.  For me it's a very enjoyable album, complex and multi layered in every song.

I agree 100% on that. I'd say Alphabet of Me or Sempiternal Beings are my favorites, but still far from the likes of Invasion, Messiah Complex, Veil, Host, Falling Back To Earth, Visions, Celestial Elixir, Crystallized...

Yeah, after a bunch of listens, I think this is probably why I rank the album lower than the rest.  Just no top Haken tracks on it for me.

Same for me and it's a similar story to Virus sadly.

Eye's of Ebony is that song for me from Fauna.  Very good song IMO.

[me7]

As is Island in the Clouds. And Sempiternal Beings and Beneath the white Rainbow. And Nightingale. And...

[Metro]

I just think the whole record is the bee's knees

[Kram]

As is Island in the Clouds. And Sempiternal Beings and Beneath the white Rainbow. And Nightingale. And...

Yes I agree all those songs are strong too and I'm really enjoying this album as a whole (no weak songs IMO).  But if I had to pick one standout track, it would be Eye's of Ebony.

[Nick]

As is Island in the Clouds. And Sempiternal Beings and Beneath the white Rainbow. And Nightingale. And...

Yes I agree all those songs are strong too and I'm really enjoying this album as a whole (no weak songs IMO).  But if I had to pick one standout track, it would be Eye's of Ebony.

To me the album has three clear tiers, and I don't have strong opinions within those tiers

Top:
Alphabet of Me, Lovebite

Middle:
Everything else

Bottom:
Taurus, Nightengale

[Kram]

As is Island in the Clouds. And Sempiternal Beings and Beneath the white Rainbow. And Nightingale. And...

Yes I agree all those songs are strong too and I'm really enjoying this album as a whole (no weak songs IMO).  But if I had to pick one standout track, it would be Eye's of Ebony.

To me the album has three clear tiers, and I don't have strong opinions within those tiers

Top:
Alphabet of Me, Lovebite

Middle:
Everything else

Bottom:
Taurus, Nightengale

I would agree that Nightingale is my least favorite song on the album.

[cramx3]

As is Island in the Clouds. And Sempiternal Beings and Beneath the white Rainbow. And Nightingale. And...

Yes I agree all those songs are strong too and I'm really enjoying this album as a whole (no weak songs IMO).  But if I had to pick one standout track, it would be Eye's of Ebony.

To me the album has three clear tiers, and I don't have strong opinions within those tiers

Top:
Alphabet of Me, Lovebite

Middle:
Everything else

Bottom:
Taurus, Nightengale

I might put Lovebite with the middle, but otherwise agree.  I think Alphabet of Me has become my favorite song on the album and the middle pack are all good songs with the two bottom being songs I'm not too into.

[ariich]

My tiers:

Top:
Sempiternal Beings, Beneath the White Rainbow, Eyes of Ebony

Upper middle:
Nightingale, Alphabet of Me, Island in the Clouds

Lower middle:
Lovebite. Elephants Never Forget

Bottom:
Taurus

It's all relative though. I like Taurus and love the rest.

[Implode]

Why is Taurus so unpopular? I don't mind it. I think it's pretty good actually.

[NoseofNicko]

Why is Taurus so unpopular? I don't mind it. I think it's pretty good actually.

No idea. I love it. The chorus is excellent.

[jammindude]

I love Taurus. If I had to pick out a weak point in the album for me personally, it would be Lovebite. And even that is perfect because the "least best" musical idea is also the shortest.

Right now I'd say

Eyes of Ebony
Sempiternal Beings
Nightingale
Elephants Never Forget
Taurus
Beneath the White Rainbow
Island in the Clouds
Alphabet of Me
Lovebite

But there is no song here I don't like. And I'm sure this list will still shift around a bit the more I spin it.

[gzarruk]

List of Haken Songs and Their Tunings

Fauna

Nightingale
Guitar: E B E A D G B E (8-String, Drop E)
Bass: A E A D G C (6-String, Drop A)

I think it's time to update this post

[Metro]

Totally forgot I made that 

Any guitar people or friends of the band wanna lend a hand there?

[ariich]

Why is Taurus so unpopular? I don't mind it. I think it's pretty good actually.

Is it unpopular? I'm not seeing anyone disliking it here.

[Implode]

Maybe I'm wrong, but since its release, I've seen it at the bottom of mostly everyone's lists.

[KevShmev]

This album wasn't good enough for me to even make a list.

[Ced156]

I like Fauna. I've been a fan of Haken since Affinity (easily in my all-genre 2010's top 5), going backwards I loved The Mountain and some older songs (Crystalized....). Vector was a bit too "metal" for my tastes (I love some extreme bands, but I prefer Haken - or DT - when the hard-rock/Rush influences are proeminent) but the quality was still high. Virus was a step down even if the highs were very good in my book : Invasion, Carousel, Canary Yellow...

I wasn't very warm at first with the singles, but in the context of the abum, it flows very well. I regret two things : I'm a guitar solo lover, I miss it compared to the Affinity period. And the bass sound is too much processed, synthetic for my taste.

Affinity is such a good disc... It mixes classic prog-metal with some mainstream influences (I hear bits of Anathema, Porcupine Tree-Steven Wilson, of course Rush and DT), with 80's synth-era soundscapes, the songs have multiple connections (Initiate - The Architect - Bound By Gravity, 1985 - Endless Knot) both lyrically and musically, it reminds me a lot of Images and Words / Awake. 

[DTwwbwMP]

Top:
Elephants Never Forget, Beneath the White Rainbow, Lovebite, Taurus

middle:
Island in the Clouds, Sempiternal Beings, Eyes of Ebony

Bottom:
Nightingale, Alphabet of Me

[Ben_Jamin]

Maybe I'm wrong, but since its release, I've seen it at the bottom of mostly everyone's lists.

Something has to be on the bottom. I really enjoy Taurus, and I think it is a great opener. It sets this mood for the album and I like how it instantly starts.

[Dublagent66]

Only through my 3rd spin.  Something's starting to happen.

[Kram]

I love Taurus. If I had to pick out a weak point in the album for me personally, it would be Lovebite. And even that is perfect because the "least best" musical idea is also the shortest.

Right now I'd say

Eyes of Ebony
Sempiternal Beings
Nightingale
Elephants Never Forget
Taurus
Beneath the White Rainbow
Island in the Clouds
Alphabet of Me
Lovebite

But there is no song here I don't like. And I'm sure this list will still shift around a bit the more I spin it.

I too love Taurus.  My rankings right now would be this -

Eyes of Ebony
Sempiternal Beings
Elephants Never Forget
Island in the Clouds
Taurus
Alphabet of Me
Beneath the White Rainbow
Lovebite
Nightingale

[The Letter M]

I've taken a bit of a break from Fauna lately, but in my drives/commutes around town and to/from work, I've been spinning Haken's discography in chronological order, and right now I'm in the middle of The Mountain.

I think if I had to rank the songs on Fauna right now, as I recall my feelings on them, it might be like:

Eyes of Ebony
Elephants Never Forget
Lovebite
Sempiternal Beings
Alphabet Of Me
Island In The Clouds
Nightingale
Taurus
Beneath The White Rainbow
The Last Lullaby

I may come back later this month once I get around to this album again in my listenings and see how my feelings on each song have changed, if at all.

-Marc.

[hefdaddy42]

I'm a little surprised by how far Nightingale has fallen for a lot of people.  That song rocks.  It's not my favorite on the album, but a lot of people have it at or near the bottom.

*shrugs*