[Review] Haken – Fauna

In 15 years, Haken has managed to establish itself as one of the leading bands on the modern Prog scene thanks to top-notch albums and a personal style. The new album “Fauna” was released on March 3, 2023 via InsideOut Music and contains 9 tracks that show a more modern side than their previous albums. The opener “Taurus” is characterised by granitic guitar riffs and a solid rhythm section constantly evolving through tempo changes. The vocals are dynamic and expressive and offer engaging refrains, fitting perfectly into the musical context of the song. A mixture of Prog Rock and Metal, with modern traits, enriched by a fine use of effects and modulations and the alternation of very intense sung and instrumental parts. Keyboards and effects open “Nightingale,” a track with Jazzy traits that blend with the band’s characteristic heavy prog sounds. It is a perfect blend of modern Prog and intricate passages where we find choral openings, technical passages and absolutely valuable cues. The band’s class in both composition and performance is exploited to the full, always keeping the intensity high and offering tempo changes and textures with very original ideas. “The Alphabet of Me” is a track with a modern and original sound, characterised by the exploration of electronic sounds. The work of sound modulations and use of effects is remarkable, giving a futuristic touch to the sound, in a continuous evolution of the track’s central theme. If the concept behind Prog is to always offer new and original sounds, this track sums up all the main concepts. The first part of “Sempiternal Beings” shows a softer side of the band’s sound, with a jazzy touch and warm, expressive vocals. The intensity increases as the song evolves, developing an intense blend of heavy prog with forays into metal, odd time signatures and gritty guitar riffs. The tempo changes are an added value of the track, allowing alternating passages full of energy and involving the listener from beginning to end, 8 minutes of pure pleasure. With a more aggressive sound, “Beneath the White Rainbow” offers Prog Metal with a darker, more melancholic atmosphere than its predecessors. The vocals, as always, are very intense and dynamically interpret both the softer verses and the more energetic parts, as well as the choral refrains. The instrumental parts increase the intensity of the song and offer elaborate cues with refined textures and very technical passages, combining heavy and jazz thanks to the band’s personal touch. “Island in the Clouds” returns to the band’s classic style, enthralling with fine interweaving of keyboards and gritty guitar riffs. The vocals are very intense and the rhythm section solid and elaborate, with intense vocal parts and an eclectic sound that reminds us of the band’s first record releases. The album’s shortest track “Lovebite” alternates soft, melodic passages with tempo changes that take the sound into heavier territory. With hints of 80s pop and intertwining hard guitar riffs and synths in the choruses, it is a more linear track in structure. An interweaving piano and guitar opens “Elephants Never Forget,” the longest in duration, returning to the band’s more intricate sounds. Constantly evolving and with very well constructed tempo changes, it combines the tradition of Prog in particular of bands like Gentle Giant and the more modern prog Metal characteristic of their sound. The vocal parts alternate perfectly with the instrumental textures, creating an epic track that encompasses all the evolutions of the band. The album concludes with “Eyes of Ebony” featuring softer parts that counterbalance the more Heavy passages. Hard guitar riffs and a massive rhythm section, dynamic and expressive vocal parts that passionately interpret the lyrics, leaving us wanting to listen to the album again. A band that is adept at constantly renewing its sound while maintaining its own personal and original style. This evolution of the band also allows the band to offer a fine piece of work, very intense from beginning to end and with a varied and well-constructed tracklist. Heavy sections, elaborate passages, forays into Jazz and Progressive mixing tradition with a marked dose of innovation and originality. An excellent record, confirming that this band is one of the best realities of Progressive music, to be listened to and re-listened to.

Tracklist

01. Taurus (4:49)
02. Nightingale (7:24)
03. The Alphabet of Me (5:33)
04. Sempiternal Beings (8:23)
05. Beneath the White Rainbow (6:45)
06. Island in the Clouds (5:45)
07. Lovebite (3:49)
08. Elephants Never Forget (11:07)
09. Eyes of Ebony (8:32)

Lineup

Charlie Griffiths / Guitars
Ray Hearne / Drums
Richard Henshall / Guitars, Keyboards
Ross Jennings / Vocals
Peter Jones / Keyboards
Conner Green / Bass

Haken |Official Website|Facebook Page|Twitter|Soundcloud|Spotify|YouTube Channel|

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