by Steve Joyce
“in a fever dream” is Haken’s first release of new music since 2023’s “Fauna”. The intervening three years have been eventful: Haken released 2025’s awesome live album “Liveforms”, and there have been various solo projects and guest contributions.
However, last October Haken pulled out of a tour supporting Coheed and Cambria, and most significantly, January 2026 saw the shock departure of long-time guitarist Charlie Griffiths and bassist Conner Green. Described by Haken as “irreplaceable”, Griffiths and Green are now busy with Tiktaalika, a full-on metal band who released the stellar shred-fest “Gods of Pangaea” last year.
Losing two pivotal members would destabilise many a lesser band. Happily, ultra-talented founding members Richard Henshall (guitar/keys) and Ross Jennings (vocals) remain, bolstered by original members Ray Hearne (drums) and Pete Jones (keyboards). Bass duties on the new EP are provided by Bryan Beller (Joe Satriani, The Aristocrats) & Adam ‘Nolly’ Getgood (Periphery).
“in a fever dream” (note the lower case stylisation), is Haken’s second EP release (the first was 2014’s “Restoration”). Three of the five songs have already been released as singles. It’s fair to say that these have attracted ‘mixed’ reactions and, as we’ll come to, in one case I can understand why that might be.
In general, though, while respecting other people’s opinions, I don’t feel the negativity is warranted. Quite the reverse! Over its five-song, 26-minute run time, the EP is gratifyingly packed with Haken’s distinctive sound design, clever arrangements, superb musicianship and thrilling melodies.
The EP explores some new sonic territory, and stylistically, some of the music is more straightforward than some of Haken’s most celebrated songs. I see this as a natural evolution and perhaps an inevitable result of the band’s chemistry being changed by two members leaving.
Three of the songs are 3-4 minutes long, relatively short by this band’s standards, but these are bookended by two seven-minute mini-epics. Lyrically, there are themes would be at home on Dream Theater’s quasi-concept album Parasomnia. (A fever dream is an unusually vivid, intense, and often bizarre dream that occurs when your body temperature is elevated.) The lyrics are often quite dark, with vivid and at time disturbing imagery.
Opening song and lead single “in a fever dream” begins with melancholy guitar and vocals, which soon give way to a thunderous riff of the type which Haken do terrifically well. It’s a standout moment on the EP. The song has a dynamic arrangement of sonic contrasts, superb Ray Hearne polyrhythms and even a short burst of growled vocals! The chorus is enjoyable and it’s a great song overall.
“delirium”, the second single, is a four-minute prog metal stomper. It’s blessed with a terrific chorus and unmistakably Haken-style riffage, with Hearne providing exhilarating percussive pyrotechnics over the outro. I love it!
“eclipsed by you”, the shortest song here, features staccato-treated vocals and lush keyboards, and builds pace nicely with a strong chorus, propulsive drumming and dramatic chord changes.
To be honest, “bleeding sky” is not a particularly marvellous track by Haken standards. There’s some good playing on this track, particularly by Hearne, but the song lacks melodic punch and did not really hold my attention.
Fortunately, closing song “lotus” leaves the ep on a high mark. There’s a delicious 6/8 heavy groove permeating the song, and a passage providing the EP’s proggiest and heaviest moments. The song is resolved through a stirring crowd chant chorus, providing a richly satisfying payoff. This will be an obvious stormer in concert! Lyrically, the song is a positive contrast to the other four tracks and overall it’s my favourite song on the EP.
Speaking of concerts, Haken play a European tour in September / October, supported by UK compatriots IHLO, whose album “Legacy” was a major highlight of 2025 – this promises to be a spectacular show!
An interesting feature of the EP is the vocal production. One of the greatest voices in modern prog rock, Ross Jennings’ vocals usually cut through Haken’s music with bright, shimmering clarity. I can’t fault the evergreen Jennings’ performance, but at various points on the EP the vocals are sometimes lower in the mix and sound ‘treated’. It’s good that Haken are developing their sound – that’s what progressive music is about, after all – but I hope that going forward, the band takes care to preserve one of their best and most distinctive elements: prominent, graceful and beautiful vocals.
With “in a fever dream” Haken have surely done enough to reassure fans that they can roll with the punches and remain a relevant force in modern progressive music. I, for one, am mightily relieved! The two longer songs here are great additions to the Haken canon, and of the shorter tracks, “delirium” is terrific. The EP is packed with moments of classic Haken style, and the songs should be accessible to curious new listeners too.
Does the music on this EP rival the heights of albums such as “Visions”, “The Mountain” and “Fauna”? Arguably not. Is the EP an entertaining release in its own right with plenty for all genre fans to enjoy? Certainly. Does Haken’s future look bright? Absolutely!
Released on July 17th, 2026 on InsideOutMusic
Track list:
01 in a fever dream 07:12
02 delirium 04:04
03 eclipsed by you 03:24
04 bleeding sky 04:18
05 lotus 07:22
order now here: https://haken.lnk.to/inafeverdream-EP
Line up:
Lead vocals: Ross Jennings
Drums: Ray Hearne
Guitar: Richard Henshall
Keyboards: Pete Jones
Bass: Bryan Beller, Adam ‘Nolly’ Getgood
Produced by George Lever and Haken
Mixed by George Lever
Mastered by Mike Kalajian
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