Haken In Concert

In prog and metal circles, few young bands have made more of an impact than Haken. The London group wield a sharp eye for adventurous arrangements and instrumentation, and they aren’t afraid to take risks — whether they’re exploring sprawling post-rock on 2014’s Restoration EP or incorporating inspirations from synth-heavy 1980s prog on 2016’s Affinity.

Tapping former Periphery bassist Adam Getgood to mix 2018’s Vector was an even smarter move. In his hands, head-spinning tracks like the single “Puzzle Box” — whose music includes Tool-caliber chugging, intricate hard rock, and synth-driven rhythmic scrambles — offer a fresh spin on progressive metal. Vocalist Ross Jennings often sounds like a dead ringer for Incubus’ Brandon Boyd, in the way he never loses the melodic edge to his keening vocals, although his range is such that he can also turn on a dime and be gruff when need be. 

Jennings and Richard Henshall co-founded Haken in 2007. The band — whose name has no particular meaning, members have said — put together several demos and started playing out. From there, things accelerated quickly. Haken first inked a deal with Sensory Records, which released the band’s first two albums (2010’s Aquarius and 2011’s Visions). The band then jumped to Inside Out Music starting with 2013’s The Mountain.

In 2016, the members of Haken served as live instrumental backup in Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress, the ambitious project helmed by the former Dream Theater drummer. Not only was that a sign of respect from one of progressive metal’s biggest names, but it also underscored Haken’s monstrous live abilities. 

Incredibly, the band navigates disparate tempos and styles with ease in concert — don’t be surprised to catch an air drummer (or three) having a ball in the crowd, as Haken’s members themselves smash stereotypes and add charismatic flash to their performances.