Aquarius (Haken album)
| Aquarius | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by Haken | ||||
| Released | 30 March 2010 | |||
| Recorded | 2009-2010 | |||
| Genre | Progressive metal, progressive rock | |||
| Length | 72:44 | |||
| Label | Sensory | |||
| Producer |
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| Haken chronology | ||||
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Aquarius is the debut studio album by the progressive metal band Haken. The album artwork was created by Dennis Sibeijn,[1] who has also worked with 3, Job for a Cowboy, and See You Next Tuesday, among others. Despite the band having released two previous demos, none of the multiple songs already recorded were re-released on this album.
Aquarius was largely written on the piano by guitarist/keyboardist Richard Henshall and then developed with inputs by the rest of the band.[2] Its tracks are generally longer, the shortest track being just under 7 minutes and the longest being nearly 17.[3] It is a concept album about a mermaid, discovered by a fisherman and sold to a circus, whose blood is the only thing capable of saving the human race from a flood resulting from global warming issues. She ultimately dies for mankind's sake.[2]
Reception
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |    [4] |
| Classic Rock Magazine | positive[5] |
The reception of this album was generally positive.
Eduardo Rivadavia of Allmusic praised it as the strongest prog album yet to come out in the 2010s.[4] Classic Rock Magazine featured the song "Eternal Rain" as a free track of the day on 15 April 2010. The small review given was positive, calling it "interesting music from a young London band who combine jazz, metal and prog, delivered with excellent musicianship."[5]
Track listing
All lyrics written by Ross Jennings[6][7][8]; all music composed by Richard Henshall.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Point of No Return" | 11:26 |
| 2. | "Streams"
| 10:14 |
| 3. | "Aquarium" | 10:39 |
| 4. | "Eternal Rain" | 6:42 |
| 5. | "Drowning in the Flood" | 9:28 |
| 6. | "Sun" | 7:19 |
| 7. | "Celestial Elixir" | 16:56 |
| Total length: | 72:44 | |
Personnel
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References
- ↑ Allmusic guide Aquarius page with artist credit. Retrieved 2010-08-18.
- 1 2 Serafine, Frank (September 23, 2011). "Haken Explains Story Behind "Visions," Favorite Bands, And Musical Training". metalunderground.com. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
- ↑ Allmusic guide page for Aquarius with track listing. Retrieved 2010-08-18
- 1 2 Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Aquarius". Allmusic. Retrieved 2010-08-19.
- 1 2 Dome, M. "Track of the Day: Haken". Classic Rock Magazine. Retrieved 2010-08-20.
- ↑ Allmusic guide Aquarius page with musicians credit. Retrieved 2010-08-18.
- ↑ Allmusic guide Haken biography and member listing Retrieved 2010-08-18.
- ↑ Allmusic guide Aquarius listing, with track list. Retrieved 2010-08-18.