Affinity

Limited two CD release (standard CD + instrumental disc). 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 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. "Everybody knows the 1970s was a golden age for prog music" explains guitarist Charles Griffiths. "In the past we've taken a lot from bands of that era whom we 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, Toto's IV and King Crimson's Three of a Perfect Pair - even Vince DiCola's score from Transformers The Movie. We all love the sounds they used; the keyboard and drum sounds gave the music a cool flavor and we've incorporated some of that approach throughout Affinity, but especially on the track '1985'. Of course there's still a modern edge to the drums and heavy guitar tones on what you'll hear." It's not only in this shift of emphasis to the 1980s that things have slightly altered for the band this time around.