THE MOUNTAIN

Terrific work. Very easily the best album by this British band that emerged out of nowhere. In this album, Haken combines the technicality and dynamism of Dream Theater with the bizarre vocal work of Gentle Giant, along with slight jazz influences and a very good use of melody.

The album's music is spread across nine tracks of very different lengths, going from just two minutes to ten. It's very clear that the short tracks (more specifically, the ones under four minutes, excluding Because It's There) work as small interludes to build up tension before a track, or to provide a break from one. These tracks are:

The opener: The Path, which features soothing melodies that open up the album in an amazing way. The first proper ballad of the album: Because It's There, which once again, works as an amazing break from the previous tracks. And the second ballad: As Death Embraces, which builds up some tension before the +10 minute track that comes right after it.

Then there's four tracks that work as very strong and balanced efforts, I personally think they're the best from the album:

Atlas Stone: Which features some serious jazz influences presented in a Gentle Giant-esque way. Cockroach King: The most popular song from the band, which once again presents influence from jazz (mostly classic) and Gentle Giant. In Memoriam: A short track that packs a punch with its fast paced sections. And Somebody: Which is a nine minute ballad that closes the album amazingly with a charming chorus.

Finally, the two juggernauts, which catch the attention of everyone that take a peek at the album's track list:

Pareidolia: A very Devin Townsend/Dream Theater influences track that features a very epic thematic and more technical instrumental sections, along with a build up that starts after the instrumental section mentioned before. Falling Back To Earth: My personal favorite. Perfect balance between heaviness and melody, amazing melody. This track's chorus is the most memorable thing in the entire album, to be honest.

Absolutely recommended if you're a fan of Dream Theater or Gente Giant, The Mountain is Haken's masterwork. Four stars.

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