Haken – Visions (2011)

Riding on the success of their impressive 2010 release “Aquarius”, Haken returns with yet another excellent Progressive Metal release with “Visions”, this clearly shows that their debut album was not a fluke and that the band means business. For over 71 minutes of brilliantly composed music, the band makes it clear that they are ready to take a protagonist role in the crowded Progressive Metal scene.

With a very Dream Theater-like approach, Haken opens this release with the instrumental “Premonition”. In this track you can hear brilliant keyboards and the futuristic edge that made “Aquarius” such an appealing release last year. After the soothing effect of the opening track, the 13 minute “Nocturnal Conspiracy” delivers the first appearance of Ross Jennings, the band’s charismatic vocalist. His pipes are very emotional and never as whiny as other singers such as James LaBrie. This track features a few sections that remind us of Ayreon and Star One in terms of the music, but Haken still manages to pull away with their own characteristic sound.

The very melodic “Insomnia” marks its path with intricate keyboards and guitars paired with excellent vocal melodies. With a ‘video game’ section, this track is very playful and entertaining, something that many Progressive Metal bands have been missing in the last few years with their efforts of just being extremely technically proficient. In a more emotional fashion, “The Mind’s Eye” delivers a bit of a change of pace before the album’s best track “Portals”. Starting with a thick atmosphere and suddenly shifting into futuristic prog territories, this track is the most entertaining for us due to the nice progression of sound and the overall execution.

In terms of vocals (since all the music is excellent anyways) “Shapeshifter” and “Deathless” deliver some of the most emotional pieces of this album. In particular “Deathless” is charged with emotions and an excellent slow pace to a very mellow song, but without leaving aside the progressive elements we all love from Haken. The monster epic “Visions” closes this release in the vein of Dream Theater with 23 minutes of pure Progressive Metal excellence.

Hands down “Visions” is one of the best Progressive Metal releases of 2011. The album shows a great level of maturity and musicianship, something that is quite impressive for a band in their sophomore release. If you like good progressive music with excellent guitars, soaring vocals and amazing keyboards, you will not be disappointed by “Visions”.

Release: October 25th, 2011

Country: UK