Haken: Affinity

The fourth full length release from progressive evolvers Haken arrives in the shape of Affinity, an album about the affinity we have with each other as a race, how our technology impacts on that both positively and negatively, and also how our circumstances, upbringing and peer groups can have an equally strong influence, if not more so. To be fair, there's actually much more going on than that behind the themes and as Haken always seem able to, the lyrics on Affinity are worth the time to sit down and digest whether backed by the stunning music they accompany, or not. Unlike many freshly released albums, the press release that fanfares the arrival of the latest Haken get's it spot on, the harsh slap of 80s aesthetics alluded to undoubtedly apparent. However two things need to be taken into account on top of that. Firstly that with an excellent mix and master courtesy of Jen Bogren, Affinity sounds as current, if not more so, than most prog, while secondly, whether looking to their 70s prog influences for a starting point, bringing the shiny pop edge that saw the genre flirt with the singles charts in the 80s, or indeed, getting a little djenty, as this album does for a few moments here and there, all of it sounds first and foremost like Haken. These are fine balancing acts I'm sure you'll agree, and yet whilst juggling with one hand, spinning a hoop on the other and playing keepie-up with their left foot, Haken somehow traverse a millimetre thin tight rope between prog, rock and metal. We've all heard of one man bands, however Haken would appear to be a six man band with so many tricks up their sleeves, they could be a one band circus!

The drama filled (and in more ways than one…) "1985" is as good a place as any to display these wares, thunderous guitars a la Tesseract, counterbalanced by pinging stabs of electro-synths and earth shattering drums. Add in swathes of luscious voice, riffs so big you'll need a tanker to ship them in and melodies that live long in the mind and Haken have it all. That they repeat the trick again and again could be seen as showing off and yet it isn't, this band always making sure that what they create engages emotionally before you realise how impressive it all is technically. "Lapse" surges with adrenalin fuelled precision, beats cascading, time changes thrown in with such ease you barely notice just how difficult it is to knock out a beat on your knees as you listen along; while "Earthrise" lives up to its evocative name, a hugely uplifting slap of 80s-ish vocals given bite through gritty guitars, yet levity through bright keys.

Really, as the cliché goes, dip in anywhere on Affinity and you'll find something to delight. However not to mention the fifteen minute plus "The Architect" would be remiss. In prog terms we're hardly talking the lengthiest piece ever committed to disc – hell, a quarter of an hour is a tea break for Transatlantic – however to prise in so many themes, so many twisting turns, so many emotional roller coasters, and to then make them all sound so utterly cohesive and vital, is rare indeed.

As with every release they've served up since their 2010 debut Aquarius, Haken have changed yet stayed the same as they explore new ground. All the while holding on to the core sound that has built their fanbase. However that they achieve all of this in such majestic fashion is what really sets them apart from so many others hoping to attempt the same.

See more about this release on our recent YouTube show!

Track Listing
1. affinity.exe
2. Initiate 

3. 1985 

4. Lapse
5. The Architect
6. Earthrise

7. Red Giant 

8. The Endless Knot
9. Bound By Gravity

Added: May 29th 2016
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Haken online
Hits: 3316
Language: english

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