by Steve Joyce
England’s Haken were formed in 2007 and have since become an utterly beloved torch bearer for the finest in progressive metal. Picking up the ball originally played by Dream Theater and since scoring touchdown after touchdown, through their seven studio albums to date, Haken have produced some of the most electrifying music in the genre. With inventive sound design, godlike musicianship, clever arrangements and a melodic instinct like few others, Haken are an irrepressible force with each release eagerly anticipated and feverishly devoured by their growing army of fanatical followers.
Haken now take a further step towards cementing their “legendary” credentials with their second official live album, “Liveforms”. Recorded at London’s O2 Forum on 21 September 2024, the concert was part of the tour promoting Haken’s seventh album, 2023’s “Fauna”. With an almost three hour run-time, all seven studio albums (and the Restoration EP) are represented, with the set skewed towards newer material. Presented as two different sets, as on the night, “Fauna” is played in full in the first set of the night and Set Two showcases some of the band’s greatest older songs.
The CD version of “Liveforms”, presented on three discs, messes with the running order slightly, extracting set-closers “Crystallised” and “Visions” onto disc three. In the actual concert, “Crystallised” closed Set One. The Blu-Ray version features the full concert and is accompanied by a 28 minute interview. Set One (Fauna) is available as a double vinyl album.
It’s undoubtedly a stellar tracklist albeit light on Haken’s (arguably) most revered album, “The Mountain”, with just one song (the wonderful “Cockroach King”). I guess this is fair enough, as “The Mountain” was heavily featured on Haken’s previous live album, 2017’s essential “L-1VE”.
The performances are faithful to the studio originals, which is a major plus in my view. It always intensely irritates me to see a favourite song at a gig and for a much-loved drum fill or guitar lick not be played, rendering the air-drumming or air-guitaring superfan look silly. Worse is when the arrangement is messed about with – and don’t get me started on medleys! Haken wisely avoid these pitfalls and power through with precision, passion and panache.
Haken are brilliant musicians and the whole band is on imperious form. Ross Jennings is surely one of the best singers in modern music and his performance is versatile, note perfect and triumphant. His song introductions are brief and sparingly used, which is all the better to pack more magnificent music into the show. Returning keyboardist Peter Jones provides sonic depth and flair, complementing Richard Henshall’s tasteful synth contributions. Drummer Ray Hearne (getting the biggest cheer of the night) is a master of percussive onslaught and invention, but also supplies many moments of elegance and subtlety. Bassist Conner Green is a formidable rhythm section partner with a playing style replete with groove, grace and texture. Guitarists Henshall and Charlie Griffiths frequently blow the listeners’ minds with crushing riffage and truly awesome solos, which although flamboyant are always musical without being over-extravagant.
Listening to “Liveforms”, one is left to wonder at the talent on display. To compose this music is astounding in itself, but to have the musical chops to play it is incredible and to have the mental capacity and stamina to memorize and play it live so flawlessly is frankly outrageous. Aspiring musicians hearing this album are likely to react in one of two ways: to be inspired to practice harder to achieve similar levels of greatness, or to give up in a “we’re not worthy” tantrum of frustration!
Amongst so many highlights, in Set One, Fauna’s “Elephants Never Forget” and, especially, “Sempiternal Beings” deliver stratospheric levels of excitement – both songs are surely destined to become all time greats in the Haken discography. Eighteen minute epic “Crystallized” closes the set, with some thrilling pieces of music. Previously not a personal favourite of mine, the live version is so good it made me reappraise the song and enjoy it much more, especially the truly stunning finale – but where was the gong at the end?
Set Two is quite simply, one banger after another. Hearne’s machine gun snare rolls astonish in “Puzzle Box”, the aforementioned “Cockroach King” is sublime with Jennings on top form and THOSE bass/guitar riffs in “1985” providing the heaviest moments of the entire concert. However, the best is saved to last with eighteen-minute encore “Visions”, a phenomenal epic with contrasting moods and a soaraway chorus, with its superbly played emotional guitar solo providing chills and goosebumps in extremis.
The only slight dip in excitement levels is “Strainwreck”, a skippable four minute drums/synth workout in Set Two which bridges “The Strain” and “Canary Yellow” (two of the strongest songs from the “Virus” album). The reviewer’s prerogative is to nitpick and I will also say that swapping out “Drowning in the Flood”, from Haken’s debut album “Aquarius”, for the same album’s “Celestial Elixir” would have made a fabulous setlist absolutely perfect – although would have added to the band’s already massive workload!
The enthusiastic crowd is ever-present to give a genuine concert feel to the album, but never intrusive or detrimental to the clarity of the band’s performances. In fact, during songs like “Visions” in particular, the audience participation adds to the sense of joy and makes the listener feel involved. It’s fair to say that the sound quality and mix (by Jens Bogren) is amongst the best of any live album I’ve heard.
Taken as a whole, “Liveforms” gives a sense of complete musical fulfilment chiefly because of Haken’s mastery of melody. You can’t beat a memorable tune and this album is packed with songs absolutely rammed with them! Together with faultless, sublime performances, a tremendous sound quality and a band clearly having as good a time as their audience, the overall experience is profoundly moving. Put simply: Haken’s music makes you “feel”.
I think there are three main reasons for a band to release a live album. Providing a terrific record of a life-affirming show for those who were there, now shared for everyone to enjoy – and to envy the lucky audience! Documenting an important period in the band’s career, showcasing the best of their recent music, enabling a new chapter to begin. And introducing a band to a curious newcomer, cherry-picking some of the most celebrated songs in their recorded career, brought to life so much more vibrantly than an anodyne ‘greatest hits’ release.
“Liveforms” absolutely and convincingly delivers on all three fronts. It’s a truly great concert album which leaves this reviewer musing enviously: “Oh, to have been there!”
Released on May 9th, 2025 on InsideOutMusic
Order here: https://haken.lnk.to/Liveforms-Album
Full Setlist:
Set 1:
The Last Lullaby 02:12
Taurus 04:43
Nightingale 07:27
The Alphabet Of Me 05:42
Sempiternal Beings 08:27
Beneath The White Rainbow 06:51
Island In The Clouds 05:52
Lovebite 04:00
Elephants Never Forget 11:07
Eyes of Ebony 08:37
Crystallised 18:26
Set 2:
Puzzle Box 08:32
Earthrise 04:50
Cockroach King 08:27
Nil By Mouth 06:49
1985 09:21
The Strain 05:29
Strainwreck 04:03
Canary Yellow 04:24
Drowning In the Flood 10:00
Visions 18:28
Personnel:
Ross Jennings – lead vocals
Richard Henshall – guitars, keyboards, backing vocals
Charlie Griffiths – guitars, backing vocals
Connor Green – bass guitar, backing vocals
Raymond Hearne – drums, backing vocals
Mixed by Jens Bogren
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