9 votes

Haken - Cockroach King (2013)

14 comments

  1. [6]
    Kelsier
    Link
    Haken is an English prog metal band. I recently discovered them and they are quickly becoming my favourites. A slightly longer version of this song. Also if you are up for it, Visions - a 22...

    Haken is an English prog metal band. I recently discovered them and they are quickly becoming my favourites.

    A slightly longer version of this song.

    Also if you are up for it, Visions - a 22 minutes long song which is well worth your time imo.

    6 votes
    1. [2]
      Jeezee
      Link Parent
      I love Haken dude! You're in for a treat. They had a really nice evolution throughout their albums. If you haven't already, you should check out their latest album. Cheers

      I love Haken dude! You're in for a treat. They had a really nice evolution throughout their albums. If you haven't already, you should check out their latest album.
      Cheers

      2 votes
      1. KapteinB
        Link Parent
        I prefer their first two albums personally, especially Visions. But all of their albums are good. I've made a playlist of them which I listen to every day at work; perfect music for shutting out...

        I prefer their first two albums personally, especially Visions. But all of their albums are good. I've made a playlist of them which I listen to every day at work; perfect music for shutting out the world and focusing on a task.

        3 votes
    2. [3]
      ali
      Link Parent
      is visions also metal? I know nothing about this kind of music, I liked the song you posted, but I thought it was some kind of joke. But the sound is very melodic, I always thought metal is just...

      is visions also metal? I know nothing about this kind of music, I liked the song you posted, but I thought it was some kind of joke. But the sound is very melodic, I always thought metal is just loud drums and yelling. Pardon my ignorance, but I really enjoy this music right now haha.

      2 votes
      1. Kelsier
        Link Parent
        Not all metal is screaming and yelling. It's such a broad genre that there is something for everyone. Check out some of these and if you like anything in particular, I would be glad to recommend...

        Not all metal is screaming and yelling. It's such a broad genre that there is something for everyone. Check out some of these and if you like anything in particular, I would be glad to recommend some more :)

        Nightwish - Ghost Love Score, Phantom of the Opera

        Kamelot - The Haunting

        Opeth - Windowpane, Harvest, Hessian Peel

        Ne Obliviscaris - And Plague Flowers the Kaleidoscope

        They are not similar to Haken, but I think you'll like them.

        3 votes
      2. Crespyl
        Link Parent
        "Metal" these days covers an incredibly wide range of (usually pretty interesting) music, but in my experience if you just go looking for music tagged as "metal" you will often find that style of...

        "Metal" these days covers an incredibly wide range of (usually pretty interesting) music, but in my experience if you just go looking for music tagged as "metal" you will often find that style of yelling/growly vocals, which is certainly an acquired taste (and one that I've not really put in the effort to acquire myself).

        That said, approaching it from other angles like "progressive metal" or plain instrumental metal it can be a bit easier to find the other variant styles that can be really interesting.

        Kelsier's sibling comment already has some great links (Ne Obliviscaris is one of the fairly few examples of the "metal growl" vocals that I've started growing to like), but I'll add in a few others that might also be interesting.

        Also, if you liked Cockroach King, you should definitely check out the rest of the album it's from, The Mountain.

        3 votes
  2. boredop
    Link
    Loving the Gentle Giant influences here. I dig classic prog but modern prog metal doesn't usually do it for me. This song strikes a good balance.

    Loving the Gentle Giant influences here. I dig classic prog but modern prog metal doesn't usually do it for me. This song strikes a good balance.

    3 votes
  3. [6]
    Crespyl
    Link
    I've been on a recent kick discovering "modern prog" (stuff from within the last few years, as opposed to the 70's/80's classics like Genesis that my dad infected me with as a kid), and I...

    I've been on a recent kick discovering "modern prog" (stuff from within the last few years, as opposed to the 70's/80's classics like Genesis that my dad infected me with as a kid), and I encountered Haken only a few months ago. They've quickly become a favorite, and The Mountain has earned a rare spot in my glovebox collection of physical media.

    It seems that a lot of the most interesting musical work (in prog) has shifted towards metal, which in my experience is most often accompanied by some form of the "scream/growl" vocals that I've never really been able to get into; so finding bands like Haken which mix the intense and intricate prog metal sound with more lyrical (and comprehensible) vocals is a treat. Instrumental groups like Hackberry have been great too.

    2 votes
    1. [3]
      deciduous
      Link Parent
      If you're looking for some modern prog that's not metal I'm happy to give some recommendations. One group i find is consistently overlooked is Anathema.

      If you're looking for some modern prog that's not metal I'm happy to give some recommendations.

      One group i find is consistently overlooked is Anathema.

      3 votes
      1. [2]
        mrjfilippo
        Link Parent
        If you don't mind sharing, I'd be interested.

        If you don't mind sharing, I'd be interested.

        1. deciduous
          Link Parent
          Sure! I'm not sure how much exactly you know and already listen to apologies if this is already familiar. Popular Ones Porcupine Tree might be the most famous group. Along with that Steven WIlson...
          • Exemplary

          Sure! I'm not sure how much exactly you know and already listen to apologies if this is already familiar.

          Popular Ones

          • Porcupine Tree might be the most famous group.
          • Along with that Steven WIlson the frontman of the band does a lot of great solo work.
          • Riverside
          • The Mars Volta has a lot of influence from metal and post-hardcore, but never really feels part of either genre
          • Devin Townsend very weird and very eclectic, but popular for a good reason. Ranges from death metal to pop

          My Person Favorites

          • The Dear Hunter is my personal favorite band.
          • David Maxim Micic Weird blend of a lot of different styles. Has a lot of instrumental stuff.
          • Minus the Bear is not really a prog band, but there's a lot of overlap between their fanbase and that of a lot of other prog bands.
          • Mouse on the Keys phenomenal instrumental group centered around the piano.
          • Plini Chill guitar prog.

          Subgenres - there are some really cool subgenres that come from prog

          3 votes
    2. [2]
      crdpa
      Link Parent
      Try Black Sites and Caligula's Horse.
      2 votes
      1. Crespyl
        Link Parent
        Thanks! I'm really digging Dream the Dead, I'll have to check out more of Caligula's Horse!

        Thanks! I'm really digging Dream the Dead, I'll have to check out more of Caligula's Horse!

  4. crdpa
    Link
    Affinity is such a good album. I love it. Unfortunately their last album was not really that good.

    Affinity is such a good album. I love it.

    Unfortunately their last album was not really that good.

    1 vote