00-haken-affinity-2016.nfo
Haken - Affinity
ARTIST........: Haken
TITLE.........: Affinity
LABEL.........: Inside Out
URL...........: http://www.hakenmusic.com
GENRE.........: Progressive Rock
QUALITY:......: 257 kbps avg/ 44100Hz / Joint Stereo
RIP DATE......: 2016-05-04
RELEASE DATE..: 2016-04-29
Tracklist:
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01. affinity.exe 1:24
02. Initiate 4:16
03. 1985 9:08
04. Lapse 4:44
05. The Architect 15:40
06. Earthrise 4:48
07. Red Giant 6:06
08. The Endless Knot 5:50
09. Bound by Gravity 9:29
Total 61:25
Release Notes:
Haken have become a major name on the prog scene since the release of their
third album, 'The Mountain' in 2013. Not only did this get the band enormous
acclaim, but it also gave them the chance to undertake a huge touring schedule.
They played with bands such as Between The Buried And Me, The Neal Morse Band
and Leprous, headlined their first ever US shows, were invited to play on the
bill for Cruise To The Edge, as well as appearing on the bills at Hellfest (one
of Europe's biggest summer festivals), and the inaugural Ramblin' Man Fair in
the UK.
But now all the attention is on their fourth album, 'Affinity'. And it's perhaps
not quite what people might expect. Because, to some extent Haken have delved
into their love of '80s music for the new album.
enjoyed, especially Gentle Giant, but this time, we have gone more towards the
next decade for our inspiration. For me, it means albums like '90125' from Yes,
and drum sounds gave the music a cool flavour and we've incorporated some of
It's not only in this shift of emphasis to the 1980s that things have slightly
altered for the band this time around. As Griffiths explains, calling the album
'Affinity' is rather appropriate for the manner in which it was conceived.
the band in 2007 with Ross Jennings (lead vocals), has tended to come up with
initial demos for songs, on which the rest of us have then built. But this time
everyone was equal from the start; we all threw our hats in the ring when it
came to the writing process. So, there was more of a feeling that we were all
initial ideas from the very beginning of the process. It naturally takes longer
to filter through the mass of material and fit it all together coherently, but
this approach has helped to create something completely fresh whilst maintaining
Haken began the process of writing for the album about a year ago. However, the
recording part of the schedule was done rather quickly.
Bogren at Fascination Street Studios (Opeth, Devin Townsend, Between The Buried
And Me) for mixing and mastering duties. He is a wizard in this department! We
are always confident his mix will bring out the best from our performance but
While this is not a concept album, Griffiths explains that there is a loose
theme running through the lyrics.
since it can refer to the biological connection between all living things; our
Aside from the band members, there is also one guest on 'Affinity'. This is
Leprous vocalist Einar Solberg, who guests on the song 'The Architect'.
split into various sections. It starts off in a metal vein, before switching
into a more atmospheric approach and ends up being quite epic and cinematic.
There's one part of the song which hints at some Norwegian black metal
the 1980s aesthetic that inspired some of the music. I think it will be a really
The album will be released in the usual formats including a vinyl pressing.
the second disc?
Griffiths believes that 'Affinity', although exploring new musical territory,
will appeal to longtime fans.
the fore; to evolve as musicians and as a band. I'm sure we have found the right
way to move forward, while keeping enough of the Haken style to satisfy our
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