AQUARIUS

After the first few spins of Aquarius two things became immediately apparent. Number one is that this is certainly one of the most original and fresh sounding Prog Metal releases in a very very long time. Number two, something about the vocals bother me.

I couldn't figure out what the problem was. The music is phenomenal, creative, and organic. The production is nice and dense, letting your hear the exceptional rhythm section stay busy and creative.

The vocalist certainly knows how to emote and has range, and also has a very pleasing voice...so what was it that bothered me.

It dawned on me after watching a youtube video of these guys this morning. The lead singer is trying to desperately be a "rockstar" which, now that i recognize this, seeps through in his vocals. I don't like the whole rockstar thing, and i kinda feel that true prog distances itself from this persona, and focuses on the music itself.

In this live video, the singer gets on stage wearing sunglasses and a stylish half- unbuttoned shirt, and essentially gyrates throughout all of the instrumental sections, like David Gahan from Depeche mode. His vocals reflect this, especially now that i have witnessed this posturing.

Yes the range and emotion is there, but the way he enunciates certain sounds specifically R's, reminds me way too much of crappy jock rock bands like Staind and Creed.

Call me a nitpicker, but it bother me just a bit. That being said, overall this is a phenomenal and fresh Prog Metal album. Very original and certainly not a Dream Theater clone.

Maybe once Ross Jennings realizes that he will never make a fortune playing in a prog metal band, he'll drop the act, and a pretentious prog addict like myself will give Haken's albums 5 stars.