FAUNA

Haken is the mega-group of young pals Richard, Ross and Matt initially, Charlie joins them and they tour for Riverside, which makes me follow them; having released 'Aquarius' cult album their sound is between heavy, avant garde and prog; between Rush, Kansas, The Tangent, Gentle Giant and many convoluted djent groups for a modern rock with intrepid writing and a striking voice. This is their 7th album on a central theme of the animal kingdom, hence the cover, to note Peter's return to keyboards.

'Taurus' shredded djent riff, heavy polyrhythmic sound, drawn vocals, languorous, the Haken signature. 'Nightingale' airy intro then jazzy air on a melody, conglomerate between Leprous and rushian-sounding rock; electro-funky-jazzy-djent break, heavy opening with piling up riffs, voice and percussion rise, singular fusion not to be snubbed. 'The Alphabet Of Me' as a single that hit the headlines because it was removed from their original sound; melodic, pop, new-wave, bluesy, a melting pot with a central riff to stay in the metal spirit; strange, disconcerting like the backing vocals in 'oh-oh' and the final trumpet worthy of an Xtc; expect freshness. 'Sempiternal Beings' centerpiece with uphill, superb guitar solo; half-soft, half-violent oxymoron tune or both at the same time, to see live to test the power; progressive metal djent. 'Beneath The White Rainbow' continues with a strangely melodic title between typical Ross voice and chiseled breaks; the 2nd third on Alice in Chains, rap-zappaesque improvisation then the djent spirit returns with riff and soft voice counteracting, disconcerting.

'Island In The Clouds' voice à la Einar des leprous, soft sound for a bucolic wandering and crimsonian break of a 'Thrak'; the second part with synthetic sound, post-djent riff showing an avant-garde taste that will have to be remembered for the next few years. 'Lovebite' short, chiseled, strafing bringing a pop-rock air to the well-oiled chorus; sound that progs will hate because too simple with this 'oh-eh-oh' reminding me of Police; the pleasurable solo that squirts. 'Elephants Never Forget' bombastic from the introduction with Queen just lurking behind the tree; Xtc for the rhythm of a blow and the frenzied voice of Ross which goes so far as to graze the verses of Yes; a musical demonstration of high art; the break sets off on a progressive wandering high-pitched voice and heavy riff that drives home the point of what the prog of tomorrow will be like, another break of gentle madness with the Anglican Charisma spirit. 'Eyes Of Ebony' for the summary of their album, melodic, bushy break with Crimsonian experimentation; controlled explosion on pure math rock. I had a hard time but the listenings confirmed to me that it is good.

Haken releases a bomb that will take time to digest, too far ahead and too different from their original sound; an avant-garde musical softness with nourished riffs and divine voice; unique group, fascinating album with an anachronistic sound that will disappoint first-time fans who do not want to progress, just that.