LIVEFORMS: AN EVENING WITH HAKEN

Prog metal outfit Haken decided to tour 2024 in a rather different way, performing their latest album, 'Fauna' in its entirety before returning to the stage for a second set to run through a selection of the best-loved cuts from their catalogue. In a homecoming of sorts, on 21st September 2024 they played London's legendary O2 Forum, and the document of that evening has now been made available in multiple formats. Filmed by Paul Green Productions (Devin Townsend, Steve Hackett) & mixed by Jens Bogren (Between The Buried and Me, Ihsahn), the 3CD+Blu-ray release comprises all the music played on that evening, in both stereo & 5.1 Surround Sound, as well as bonus behind the scenes interviews with each band member. The Gatefold 2LP edition features the entirety of the 'Fauna' album performed that night. Both formats featuring iconic artwork from Dan Goldsworthy, whose work also graces the cover of 'Fauna'. I only have the music (21 songs, 2 hours 47 minutes), but it is a blast from beginning to end.

I have always enjoyed Haken's albums, but this live set captures them in their home environment, and everything is just 'more'. It is complex, complicated, rugged, metallic, jagged, progressive, intense and massively over the top. Here is a band where everyone understands their place, and by providing contrast it allows their music to be even louder where it needs to be, quieter over there, nice harmony vocals here, while Ross Jennings is in total control and having a load of fun. His vocals can be sweet or gentle, ready for the ballad with a pure sound, or he can reach up into the heights, easily maintaining notes with a smile, while the rest of the take us through one heck of a journey. This is music which is massively complex, with plenty of influences being dragged in from mathcore, yet it is always very heavy indeed, with much of that down to the rhythm section somehow keeping it all together while everyone else is off doing their own thing.

I am somewhat surprised this album has yet to gain more attention as to my ears this is the most essential release from Haken since the mighty 'The Mountain' back in 2013. If, like me, you are unable to see this band in concert then this is simply essential.

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