I personally like the vocals on this one better than LaBrie... I guess when we talk about sheer technicality DT can't be beat. But as for songwriting...

I think that Jennings has really stepped up his game on this one. I liked the debut album a lot, but his style got on my nerves because his voice seemed so thin. That's not the case here, and I am also hearing more variation and some great little flourishes. I think he has a real style now, and quite a recognizable one. There's a bit of LaBrie in there, but I like Jennings better now. The compositions on Visions are also superior imo. And I love those little almost chiptune-like intermezzos and little details. I will definitely be listening to this a lot.

This and bilateral restored my faith in progressive metal.

Written by [user id=114127] on 02.11.2011 at 07:05

This and bilateral restored my faith in progressive metal.

Yea. As of right now these two are duking it out for prog album of the year in my mind. The new Animals as Leaders is still continuously growing on me though so that might take them over although it's a bit different.

I'm not a huge fan of progressive metal these days but as has been mentioned there's something special about these guys. I like this album more with every listen. Looking forward to checking out their previous record too.

Is Haken really metal? To me this sounds like prog ROCK. Haven't listened to this one, but Aquarius is the epitome of boredom imo.

Written by MétalNoir on 18.11.2011 at 01:19

Is Haken really metal? To me this sounds like prog ROCK. Haven't listened to this one, but Aquarius is the epitome of boredom imo.

nonono, Haken are too heavy to be prog rock. A good example of modern prog rock would be Beardfish.

but Aquarius the epitome of boredom??? I know tastes differ but what prog bands do you like?

Written by K✞ulu on 18.11.2011 at 13:24

Written by MétalNoir on 18.11.2011 at 01:19

Is Haken really metal? To me this sounds like prog ROCK. Haven't listened to this one, but Aquarius is the epitome of boredom imo.

nonono, Haken are too heavy to be prog rock. A good example of modern prog rock would be Beardfish.

but Aquarius the epitome of boredom??? I know tastes differ but what prog bands do you like?

Usually mixed with power or extreme metal, which in both cases adds speed and intensity. Stuff like Symphony X, Myrath, Barren Earth, Into Eternity, where the progressive side isn't too prominent, you know. When it comes to slooooooowness I rather listen to doom. I swear I tried really hard to understand why people praise Aquarius so much but I failed. I can't go through an entire song without pressing the FWD button. Is there a track off that album or the new one you'd recommend for its heaviness or intensity?

Written by MétalNoir on 18.11.2011 at 18:40

Written by K✞ulu on 18.11.2011 at 13:24

Written by MétalNoir on 18.11.2011 at 01:19

Is Haken really metal? To me this sounds like prog ROCK. Haven't listened to this one, but Aquarius is the epitome of boredom imo.

nonono, Haken are too heavy to be prog rock. A good example of modern prog rock would be Beardfish.

but Aquarius the epitome of boredom??? I know tastes differ but what prog bands do you like?

Usually mixed with power or extreme metal, which in both cases adds speed and intensity. Stuff like Symphony X, Myrath, Barren Earth, Into Eternity, where the progressive side isn't too prominent, you know. When it comes to slooooooowness I rather listen to doom. I swear I tried really hard to understand why people praise Aquarius so much but I failed. I can't go through an entire song without pressing the FWD button. Is there a track off that album or the new one you'd recommend for its heaviness or intensity?

All their songs seem to have those mellow moments, so I don't know if you will really like anything. From Aquarius, try "Point of no Return" with its crazy jazz bridge in the middle, "Eternal Rain" (the shortest and the most straight-forward I'd say) and "Drowning in the Flood" (the first part is heavy and the intro is also catchy as hell). The new one I still can't get into.

I just listened to this album very carefully for the first time now. First impression: Beautiful!

Although I must admit that midway through it I felt that I was being dragged into another Dream Theater copycat cliché (I know it sounds terrible to say this), but soon I felt that I was facing a very unique composition and song writing here. And to be honest, I've found here something that I felt it was lacking in DT's albums over the last years: fresh originality.

So far, and after a first listen, it sounds flawless production-wise and it probably is. Composition, variety, and songwritting also sounds really nice so far. Not to mention the unique and inspiring melodies in some passages.

Incredible album, and even being somewhat away from the prog scene this year, I feel this is a very good candidate for album of the year in this category.

Favourite song so far: the beautiful 'Deathless', that made me feel inspired right away.

Wonderful album indeed! Though I don't understand all this talk of it being anyone's Prog Album of the Year. Yeah, the biggies in the genre aren't releasing many great albums but there are SO MANY lesser known prog bands (such as Haken) writing great music and breathing new life into the genre. Thank god, too. It's time for some new "biggies" around the prog world.

I liked the artwork.

Visions is a really good album. It gives me the "Metropolis: Part 2" feeling (although not reaching the heights of said album). I'm so glad they got rid of the growling vocals; they were horrendous, and so were the parts where they were used. IMO their debut only had one song worth listening to: the last one. However, this CD is truly a breath of fresh air into the prog genre. BTW, Insomnia is a really awesome track!

There are some really nice moments but overall, they try to be Dream Theater too much like for example in the 22 min title track. However, that same track has some great influences from different genres which is really nice, but the rock/metal parts are too dream theater and not in such a great way. I also have to say that I prefer James Labrie, even though he is far from the best singer out there, especially nowadays.

Insomnia 2:47 - 2:57 Haken play Super Mario Bro's (instrumentally not literally)

Absolutely spectacular album, easily their best! Blows The Mountain out of the water by miles. The title track is phenomenal and there are some really nice motifs and riffs. Only problem is the vocals and a few goofy technical sections.
I rarely feel so satisfied after an album finished, this one felt entirely resolved.