Album review: HAKEN – Affinity

HAKEN - Affinity

Inside Out www.insideout.de [Release date 29.04.16]

Haken return with their fourth album and have a high bar to reach after their last album, the excellent ‘The Mountain’. The album also marks the first full length studio album to feature new-ish bassist Connor Green who joined the band in 2014.

The band are never one to sit in one style and their last album harked back to the 70′s prog rock of Gentle Giant. This time we move forward to the 1980′s for much of the musical inspiration and in interviews the band have been praising Yes’s ’90125′ album which will give you some idea of what to expect. Well a little idea, as only the aptly named ’1985′ is a an 80′s pop/rock prog wig out. This song has lovely 80′s style drums and wave, upon wave of keys and the soaring vocals of Ross Jennings.

The title track is truly a thing of wonder and let me explain why…it is the sheer musical variety on display from the guitar solos, keys and rhythm section interplay and the soaring musical emotions contained within the piece. On top of that just after the ten minute mark the growling vocals of Einar Solberg of Leprous fame take the listener by surprise.

Shorter treats can be found in ‘Initiate’, a melodic beast of a tune and ‘Bound By Gravity’ featuring wistful vocals and calming music, another musical wonder from Haken (heck they even throw in some church bells!). This song has real crossover potential as fans of say Coldplay would enjoy this one.

Haken have taken another musical trip, building on their strengths – strong melodies and impressive musical arrangements – adding in more to the pot like the band’s love of 80′s commercial prog rock. An album of the year contender for certain.  ****1/2

Review by Jason Ritchie


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

Next session: Sunday 19 January


Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio



David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 1 December 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 3 December 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)



Popular (last 10 days)


This entry was posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS and tagged , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply