Really looking forward to this!

According to first two songs on youtube, it will be an awesome album, can't wait!

Atlas Stone
Pareidolia

Written by Starchild on 15.08.2013 at 13:40

According to first two songs on youtube, it will be an awesome album, can't wait!

Nice find, thanks!

Fantastic. It appears we have our next legitimate prog metal heavy weight. Just don't go too psychedelic on me guys.

This is sounding fantastic from the first two songs. It could be their best yet.

Leaked

http://www.progrockmag.com/news/haken-album-premiere-the-mountain/

Full album Premiere.

Really a good record from Haken. They keep their music line!

I'm so ashamed that I've been sleeping on this band. A really great prog album, and an album that is worthy of the hype it has been receiving from Progarchives and Sputnik.

One of the best prog metal albums of the year.

This is why Steven Wilson is overrated ...

I think it's their weakest so far, but still good enough. With previous albums I've always felt like I'm smashed against a wall of melody, there was always something new to find. This one seems thinner, like it have already blown all the tricks on me and I'm getting slightly bored of it after just a few days of listening.

I just found out about these guys and this is amazing.

So did the singing improve? Since that was definitely one of their weak points in the debut. Still haven't listened to Visions, let alone this one.

Can't believe I didn't listen to them before! The Mountain is a really great album. The worst thing of not listening to them earlier is that I found out they played live a few days ago in my city and I missed them :-(

Written by Zap on 17.09.2013 at 18:25

So did the singing improve? Since that was definitely one of their weak points in the debut. Still haven't listened to Visions, let alone this one.

Ross Jennings isn't a very flashy singer, but I like his approach to the vocals here a lot. There are one or two moments of technical awe (especially on Atlas Stone), but he generally sings in a way that doesn't detract from what the rest of the band is doing. He knows his own comfort zone, and operates within it. I do prefer his vocals here to Visions and Aquarius, to answer your question. It's probably worth a shot, and you'll probably know within a few songs whether you like this or not. Cockroach King is one of the best prog tracks I have heard in a long time (and that's a view shared by many within the prog community).

Written by Diverge on 18.09.2013 at 23:53

Ross Jennings isn't a very flashy singer, but I like his approach to the vocals here a lot. There are one or two moments of technical awe (especially on Atlas Stone), but he generally sings in a way that doesn't detract from what the rest of the band is doing. He knows his own comfort zone, and operates within it. I do prefer his vocals here to Visions and Aquarius, to answer your question. It's probably worth a shot, and you'll probably know within a few songs whether you like this or not. Cockroach King is one of the best prog tracks I have heard in a long time (and that's a view shared by many within the prog community).

Okay, thanks for the reply. I'll check it out if I have some time.

Wow really refreshing , like it so far.

Written by Doge of Venice on 18.08.2013 at 22:17

This is sounding fantastic from the first two songs. It could be their best yet.

Update. Yes, it is their best. Cockroach King is magnificent.

Written by Doge of Venice on 18.08.2013 at 22:17


Update. Yes, it is their best. Cockroach King is magnificent.

I agree. It helps that the video for Cockroach King is amazing.

This album is so good! Some wonderful prog metal encased within, and I really enjoyed the last album as well.

Tasteful, intimate, and deeply moving for how catchy it can be at times. This is a powerful achievement by a band that continues to improve with each album. Haken display a mastery of various performance techniques throughout the ensemble within compositions that are well crafted for the versatility of the group. Excellent utilization of dynamic contrast and a variety of timbres make the well balanced production even more impressive. "The Mountain" displays a level of confidence in composition that only the greatest bands truly have and I believe Haken have now, at the very least, entered that conversation. This is potentially the best album this year and while I would normally say "for fans of x" I'm not going to in this case. If you enjoy music this album should be on your listening list RIGHT NOW!

This album is pretty damn incredible. Cockroach King and Pareidolia are fucking excellent. The most consistent of Haken's works by far.

Listening to "Pareidlolia" right now. WOW. I can't believe I found that band boring until now! They can be quite agressive when they try and yet the music remains beautiful.

Oh, how I hate getting into Haken's new albums. They are messing with my head again. Only on around fourth listen things started to make sense. Listening to the album through speakers kind of helped for the music to unfold a bit more, and I could actually enjoy it more rather than scrutinize as I did the previous five listens. Anyways, I still need more time with this one.

Average album!

Great album, loved it, one of the best I've heard this year

First 2 songs are AMAZING.
3rd song (cockroach king) is ABYSMAL.
Rest is okay.

Written by phanto on 08.10.2013 at 21:35

3rd song (cockroach king) is ABYSMAL.

I think you are definitely in the minority about that one. Based on the reception here and on sites like Prog Archives, it's very safe to say that Cockroach King has been almost universally praised.

Written by Diverge on 09.10.2013 at 01:43

Written by phanto on 08.10.2013 at 21:35

3rd song (cockroach king) is ABYSMAL.

I think you are definitely in the minority about that one. Based on the reception here and on sites like Prog Archives, it's very safe to say that Cockroach King has been almost universally praised.

which surprises me, since they attempt gentle giant-esque stuff in that song and fail miserably (IMO).
I've grown to despise it less, but I still think it's a steep fall after the first 2 beautiful songs.

I liked their last one but this is a big step forward in my opinion. Awesome record.