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

Started by allewartenaufdaslicht_, August 07, 2022, 04:56:48 PM

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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.
Quote from: ariich on November 07, 2023, 12:38:53 PMJust popping in to say Luke, you were right.
Quote from: ariich09/07/2023, 14:25:10
luke: Pokemon – Pokemon Theme That was the best! I like Pokemon and I liked the characters. I think there was all of them. It was cool. [Have you heard that song before?] No! Score: 10 trillion

NoFred

Quote from: BlackInk on March 18, 2023, 01:15:13 PM
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 :metal

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". :lol

Quote from: Buddyhunter1 on May 10, 2023, 05:59:19 PMAriich is a freak, or somehow has more hours in the day than everyone else.
Quote from: TAC on December 21, 2023, 06:05:15 AMI be am boner inducing.

axeman90210

Quote from: ariich on March 18, 2023, 11:27:45 PM
I liked it when Doug Helvering described Nightingale as "the most Haken that Haken has ever Hakened". :lol

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" :lol

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......... :metal :metal :metal

What and EPIC chorus!

Estiui

Quote from: CrimsonSunrise on March 19, 2023, 03:04:26 PM
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

Quote from: Estiui on March 21, 2023, 05:59:31 AM
Quote from: CrimsonSunrise on March 19, 2023, 03:04:26 PM
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

Quote from: cramx3 on March 21, 2023, 08:16:45 AM
Quote from: Estiui on March 21, 2023, 05:59:31 AM
Quote from: CrimsonSunrise on March 19, 2023, 03:04:26 PM
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.
Whoaaaahh, ohhh, ohhhhh. Whoaaaahh, ohhhhh, ohhhhhh. Waaah, ahhh, haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaowwwwww

Kram

Quote from: krands85 on March 21, 2023, 09:52:23 AM
Quote from: cramx3 on March 21, 2023, 08:16:45 AM
Quote from: Estiui on March 21, 2023, 05:59:31 AM
Quote from: CrimsonSunrise on March 19, 2023, 03:04:26 PM
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

Quote from: me7 on March 21, 2023, 11:32:09 AM
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

Quote from: Kram on March 21, 2023, 12:19:48 PM
Quote from: me7 on March 21, 2023, 11:32:09 AM
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

Quote from: Nick on March 21, 2023, 12:22:06 PM
Quote from: Kram on March 21, 2023, 12:19:48 PM
Quote from: me7 on March 21, 2023, 11:32:09 AM
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

Quote from: Nick on March 21, 2023, 12:22:06 PM
Quote from: Kram on March 21, 2023, 12:19:48 PM
Quote from: me7 on March 21, 2023, 11:32:09 AM
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.

Quote from: Buddyhunter1 on May 10, 2023, 05:59:19 PMAriich is a freak, or somehow has more hours in the day than everyone else.
Quote from: TAC on December 21, 2023, 06:05:15 AMI be am boner inducing.

Implode

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

NoseofNicko

Quote from: Implode on March 21, 2023, 03:50:10 PM
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

Quote from: Metropolaris on November 13, 2022, 09:09:13 PM
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 ;D

Metro

Totally forgot I made that  :lol

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

ariich

Quote from: Implode on March 21, 2023, 03:50:10 PM
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.

Quote from: Buddyhunter1 on May 10, 2023, 05:59:19 PMAriich is a freak, or somehow has more hours in the day than everyone else.
Quote from: TAC on December 21, 2023, 06:05:15 AMI be am boner inducing.

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. :P :P

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

Quote from: Implode on March 22, 2023, 05:11:46 AM
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. :hat

Kram

Quote from: jammindude on March 21, 2023, 04:32:09 PM
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*
Quote from: BlobVanDam on December 11, 2014, 08:19:46 PMHef is right on all things. Except for when I disagree with him. In which case he's probably still right.