VECTOR

Haken's fifth studio album 'Vector' from 2018 is a very solid collection of songs that sees the band exploring the heavier side of their music, presenting a record that can be seen as a slight stylistic divergence from its predecessor, mixing jaw-dropping riffs with quirky keys and effects, resulting in what is perhaps one of the most focused and muscular albums by the young British band to date. Utilizing the production efforts of ex-Periphery bassist Adam 'Nolly' Getgood, the band exhibits a sound closer to what bands in the djent niche (like Animals As Leaders or Periphery) are doing, forging a loose concept album that deals with topics related to psychology, mostly following the tale of a doctor and his sinister interest in a particular patient.

The riffs are aggressive and quite technical, the tones are heavy yet never abrasive, the production is clear and solid, the songwriting is as fine as ever - the band impresses with both staggering and memorable melodies as well as with a variety of brilliant instrumental passages, choppy and inventive, yet always very lucid and enthralling. The album also has a beautiful flow, there is an obvious logic behind its architecture; it also bolsters some of the finest Haken tracks ever released - 'The Good Doctor' is a tremendous metal single, 'Puzzle Box' is a quirky, frantic piece, the 12-minute 'Veil' is truly gorgeous, both heavy and melodic, while the instrumental 'Nil by Mouth' is pure madness. 'Vector' is generally much more theatrical compared to previous Haken albums, and despite its shorter length, it sits as one of the most solid and straightforward releases of theirs, a fantastic addition to their flawless catalogue.