Sheer proggy perfection!
Haken are one of those rare bands that keep evolving their craft and their sound, not content to rest on the laurels of past achievements. Not satisfied with staying in their comfort zone, they continue to keep their loyal fanbase challenged and not knowing what to expect next.
With long-time collaborator, Peter Jones. re-joining the bad for their latest album, Fauna, the band opted to tone down the heaviness of the previous dual assault of Vector and Virus and explore other facets of what makes their chemistry as creative songwriters work. What they came up with was, essentially, a greatest hits album of new songs with Fauna, with a couple of new twists like 'Alphabet Of Me' thrown in for good measure.
The new material was lapped up in full by the audience packed into the Kentish Town Forum on a Saturday night for one of the largest shows in the band's history, especially as they opted to play the latest opus in it's entirety for the assembled crowd, some of whom getting into the spirit of the animal themes explored on the album by dressing for the occasion. Following this epic journey, which finished with an 18 minute fan-favourite song from an earlier EP, the band came back on stage after a short break to run through a tour of some of their back catalogue ranging from a couple of seldom-heard classics, to some well-known tunes which had the audience hanging on every note and every word. The atmosphere at this celebration of Haken was absolutely incredible, a homecoming show for the band but also recognition of the esteem for which they are held within the prog community. Luckily, the band also decided to capture the evening for a future release and this reviewer in particular cannot wait to re-live one of THE gigs of the year!
Posted by Sparky Mead on 29/09/2024
HAKEN - An Evening With, O2 Forum Kentish Town, London - 21st September 2024
Brilliant
Great evening, great show. Only wished the guitars were louder, they were very low in the mix from the crowd.
Generally the sound was a bit too quiet.
Case in point: the guy behind me singing along with every word in a flat monotone was drowning out the sound of the actual band 🙄
I’m sure the live release will have a better mix and sound great!
Posted by Fynn on 24/09/2024
HAKEN - An Evening With, O2 Forum Kentish Town, London - 21st September 2024
