Hello my friends of the more Progressive side of their Metal and Rock, I am back once more with a tour announcement for a band called Haken who I am very, very new to and must do some proper digging into because many of my friends are telling me that I do not know what I am missing. The press release below comes from the InsideOut Music press team and share the full details of the bands headlining “Affinitour” so check that out beneath the poster.
The Press Release:
London-based progressive metal band Haken have just completed the European leg of their “Affinitour” in support of their latest release ‘Affinity’. Now they are pleased to announce the North America tour for this Fall. The tour kicks off in Chicago, IL on Aug. 30th and concludes in Portland, OR on Sept. 21st. The group will also make a stop at major US festival ProgPower in Atlanta, on Sept 10th. New Jersey Prog outfit Thank You Scientist join the group on this 17 date trek. The band had this to say about the upcoming tour:
“After last year’s success in North America, we’ve been eager to get back and play to our amazing fans over there and also travel to new territory in Texas, Arizona and the west coast. To make things even more exciting, we’re taking one of our favourite bands out with us – Thank You Scientist. If you haven’t heard these guys, you’ve been missing out!”
North America Tour Dates w/Thank You Scientist
Aug.30: Chicago, IL – Reggie’s
Aug.31: Niagra Falls, NY – Rapid’s Theater
Sept.1: Toronto, ON – Mod Club
Sept. 2: Montreal, QC – Club Soda
Sept.3: Quebec City, QC – L’Imperial
Sept.4: Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall
Sept.6: New York, NY – Marlin Room
Sept.7: Philadelphia. PA – Founday
Sept.8: Frederick, MD – Café 611
Sept.9: Canal Club – Richmond, VA
Sept.10: ProgPower USA – Atlanta, GA
Sept.13: Gas Monkey Bar & Grill – Dallas, TX
Sept.14: Rockbox – San Antonio, TX
Sept.16: Joe’s Grotto – Phoenix, AZ
Sept.17: Complex – Los Angeles, CA
Sept.20: El Corazon – Seattle, WA
Sept.21: Ash Street Saloon – Portland, OR
‘Affinity’ has been receiving great reactions from press; find a selection of them below:
“dextrous prog metal with retro pizzazz and roller-coaster riffs” – PROG Magazine
“Affinity proves what a unique and spellbinding band Haken are” – Metal Hammer 8/10
“inescapable melodic hooks and absorbing textures” – Total Guitar 4/5
“Affinity will be hailed as one of the landmarks of 2016 and beyond.” – Powerplay 9/10
They’ve unleashed some videos as well with the tracks “Earthrise”, “The Endless Knot” and “Initiate”.
Track-listing:
1. affinity.exe [1:24]
2. Initiate [4:16]
3. 1985 [9:09]
4. Lapse [4:44]
5. The Architect [15:40]
6. Earthrise [4:48]
7. Red Giant [6:06]
8. The Endless Knot [5:50]
9. Bound By Gravity [9:29]
Recorded during the winter months of 2015, ‘Affinity’ marks a new approach to the song-writing process for Haken, as vocalist Ross Jennings explains; “It is the most collaborative we have ever been on an album. We wanted to develop and expand our sound by having every member contribute 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 the core elements of Haken’s sound.”
The band once again called upon Jens 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 and this is no exception,” remarks keyboardist Diego Tejeida.
Like much of Haken’s previous music, ‘Affinity’ is full of surprises and ‘The Architect’, the album’s centrepiece, is no exception. Blasting through a dizzying array of instrumental insanity coupled with down-tempo atmospheric tenuity, Haken welcomes friend and Leprous frontman Einar Solberg mid-song for a spot of guest vocals! Just one of many twists and turns throughout this 60-minute musical lobotomy, Haken’s ‘Affinity’ will open up a new dimension in this UK sextet’s trajectory.
HAKEN are: Ross Jennings, Richard Henshall, Charlie Griffiths, Diego Tejeida, Conner Green and Ray Hearne
*** end of transmission ***
PiercingMetal Thoughts: Whew. Now THAT is the kind of press release that I like to see since it’s so chock full of all the stuff you need to know. Now I watched those videos as well but more with my ears since I was typing up some other items for your ardent eyes and I have to say that I am sold on the offerings of this band. I’m going to say that if you like Progressive Rock in general that you should give this a listen because I was typing this narrative up with a 0% clue and found it of interest based on what I heard in those videos. It’s never too late to expand your musical horizons my friends. So what do you think about this tour announcement if you are already a fan. Let me know in the comments section below.
Official Websites:
HAKEN – http://www.hakenmusic.com
Thank You Scientist – https://www.facebook.com/ThankYouScientist/