#6 - Top of 2013

Haken - The Mountain (Inside Out Records)

 

"The Mountain" is the first major crash test for the British progressive rock/metal band, being their first record conforming the demands of Inside Out. "The Mountain" easily leaves behind its two predecessors in many areas. In terms of compositions, in the level of inspiration and virtuosity.

Some would have ticked the impressive "Atlas Stone" that comes after the introduction of "The Path" and puts you directly in the right mood. The Spock's Beard polyphony "Cockroach King" and bizarre measures make it among the best compositions here, while  "In Memoriam" is very straightforward, with unique melodies and excellent transitions between aggressive riffing and piano. The two most bizarre and quiet moments of the album come with the "Because It's There" and "As Death Embrace", with intense Queen influence being present in the two epics of the album, "Falling Back To Earth "and" Pareidolia ",  the latter standing out even more because of oriental rhythms being present and the addition of bouzouki. The album closes out with "Somebody", which is very keyboard-centric and provides an excellent medium of closing the album out on a high note.

This was the peak of Haken's career so far, superseding even this year's (2016) Affinity, that although excellent, seems to be missing some of that special "magic" that made  The Mountain one of the best releases of 2013.


95/100

Below is the music video of the epic and personal favorite "Pareidolia".