HAKEN 1985 Composer Reaction and Song Production Breakdown

📺TWITCH - www.twitch.tv/theabbacado
🎶The Decomposer Lounge PATREON: www.patreon.com/TheDecomposerLounge
☕ REFILL?😎 www.venmo.com/AbbaGeebz
🎧HEADSETS (AKG240) I use - amzn.to/33Una2q
🎮World Music and Video Game OST Reactions:
www.youtube.com/@UCg0Q0HLs8c9bkgvb8KquWXA
**************Supporting the Channel and Kids Mission***************
👕Key of Geebz Merch: key-of-geebz.creator-spring.com
🎭LOGO DESIGN - Adam Trask | www.weareprivatelabel.com
Buy me a cup of ☕ ? - Actually, if you do drop into Venmo or PayPal, it goes towards some coffee for me and the non-profit kid's things I do to spread the ALOHA! www.venmo.com/AbbaGeebz or paypal.me/abbageebz 🙏
🦕Kids Mission - www.abbageebz.com - The Healing Dinosaurs
🦕Kids Free Ukulele Lessons kzbin.info
👍THE DECOMPOSER FACEBOOK: TheDecomposer
🐦THE DECOMPOSER TWITTER: Geebz
📷THE DECOMPOSER INSTAGRAM keyofgeebz
#music #music #heavymetal
👴 Old Composer Reactions 🤘

[@noriandir]

This song does have a very Yes influence and I love that they completely own that fact. Saw them live in August and when they played this song, they automatically switched at the end to a cover of "Owner of a Lonely Heart" by Yes which made the similarities even more obvious.

[@ugg10video76]

Got to agree, very 90125!

[@davidmatos7716]

Comendatio Music Fest I guess? Outstanding show they delivered there!

[@noriandir]

@@davidmatos7716 Yep, that's the one. Great concert indeed!

[@daveayers3236]

Dammit! How did you beat me to exactly my own comment! LOL Only difference is I saw them in May!

[@daveayers3236]

Oh, and here's the story behind that little cover cameo, from Richard and Charlie: Because Yes wasn't on the Cruise to the Edge this year, they covered some Yes music during their performances in honor of them. So, they decided it would be fun to keep that part in during this song when they toured. Awesome show, by the way! All three bands were in top form!

[@Forks22]

Someone once called Haken "Yes, but more evil." It stuck with me. This whole album was an 80s throwback, on purpose. They even did neon lighting and funny glasses for songs from this album when I saw them.

[@providence8398]

Yes and Yeah

[@themightymcb7310]

Diego had a keytar for the solo when I saw them!

[@Forks22]

@@themightymcb7310 gotta love it when someone busts out the keytar.

[@danilocalic797]

"No"

[@ryer9646]

Bound by Gravity from this album is probably one of the most beautiful songs in the entire modern prog metal genre, and it's not likely anyone would ever suggest it as it gets often overlooked... So here I am doing it. That song is so fucking beautiful and in the context of the album, it's a damn near perfect closer. Honestly... Affinity is a damn near perfect album. Even if the songs themselves aren't always perfect, the album is structured so damn well. The lyrical themes are cohesive and really strong, and even reflected in some musical themes. Callbacks and motifs basically. BBG is really just the best way they could have ended it. (Also BBG is a lot simpler, focusing more on softer melodies and sound design than rythmic proficiency)

[@manfredmar]

Yes! Its one of my favourites as well. Lets hope he listens to it.

[@Beardfish.]

Bound by Gravity is indeed beautiful. It gives me strong Anathema vibes, another great band

[@manfredmar]

@@Beardfish. Another great band!

[@carlotingucci4391]

I mean... Which song is not always perfect? Cause I think the album is pure perfection from start to finish imho

[@thetremi9149]

Here to vouch for that song, its so good and probably my favorite of the album 👌🏻

[@helgijonsson3537]

Haken rhymes with bacon. So it's pronounced "hey-ken".

[@NepeanWarrior]

I prefer saying it's like saying shaken, minus the S. I'll have some Prog Metal - Haken, not stirred.

[@honemho]

Haken like Bacon

[@manuelbarrera6464]

Hey Ken 👋

[@FVD]

@@manuelbarrera6464 Hadou-Ken! 😜

[@johanwilhelmsson1199]

As they explain/ed on their Facebook page: Pronounced like Taken, or Taken 2.

[@imarsvolta3825]

I would love to see you react to Crystallised, such an epic song. I know that you probably have entire books of suggestions but, given the type of music you usually react to here on the channel, it surprise me that you haven a RIVERSIDE video yet, it should be a must for every prog fan. They are just too good to be overlooked.

[@Arrow2theACL]

I 2nd this motion. For the channel I would probably recommend Egoist Hedonist.

[@KeyOfGeebz]

Great suggestion!

[@Codarius]

I 3rd this. It's a long track though so it's definitely a journey

[@MJ-vd8bj]

Intronaut is sick

[@RoflmayoMan]

Yes, more Haken! Honestly this album is just fantastic. I think looking at the song Earthrise and then immediately Red Giant (the order they are in the album) would be really interesting. It's a cool juxtaposition of uplifting song to kinda melancholic?

[@RoflmayoMan]

Just remembered you already looked at Earthrise. Still Red Giant has some cool use of effects that really adds to the atmosphere

[@Zambad]

Check out Celestial Elixir by Haken as well! It's from their very first album and it's one of those obscure classics

[@Arrow2theACL]

My favorite song of all time and genre

[@Beardfish.]

Absolutely. I don't know why Aquarius is so underrated. IMO it's just as good as anything they have ever done

[@javelinofspam]

The keyboard section toward the end of this track is glorious. Reminds me of 80's Transformers.

[@tropiq]

the keyboardist said he was inspired by Vince DiCola who made the transformers movie ost (the animated one from 86), they packed this track full of nostalgia if you've consumed a lot of media from the 80s

[@javelinofspam]

@@tropiq the movie was what explicitly came to mind! That's awesome, thanks for sharing.

[@skeletankmcgraw7343]

Yeah, that guitar/synth breakdown towards the end is very "Stan Bush".

[@FVD]

Vince DiCola, who not only composed Transformers The Movie but the iconic Rocky IV Training Montage too!

[@Nickrdzkeys]

Agreed. The track that comes to mind is “Escape”

[@Matthewbyrd86]

Love that you're doing more Haken - this band is up there as one of my favorites along with the greats like the Stones - but I would encourage you to look at something from their album The Mountain. Anyway, thanks for more Haken!

[@Aj66602]

I love how this song invokes so many memories. The solo near the end always makes me think I’m about to face the final boss of an NES game 😊

[@metalboy27]

That's what I was thinking the first time I heard this when it came out. Feels like an old school racing game.

[@gonjjf22]

I always think megaman

[@NinthSettler]

Straight up Megaman X song

[@trzigweid]

When I saw them a couple months ago, they stopped somewhere in the middle to play a cover of owner of a lonely heart, and then went right back into the last section. It was such a great show.

[@fizzgig000]

also, Haken directly pulled their influence for this song and album from Vince DiColas work on the Transformers movie from 1986.

[@dodgrblu]

Yeah I noticed it, I love that soundtrack and Transformers as a kid. The track "Autobot Decepticon Battle" kicks ass

[@brodyyohai2316]

Haken is absolutely incredible, and sound monumental live. First time I saw them was a co-headlining tour with Leprous and that was hands down one of the best concerts I've ever seen. Please do The Valley by Leprous if you haven't already!

[@UntouchableEqualizer]

Holy shit Haken with Leprous would be an insane gig to see.

[@Not_Lewis]

YO. Leprous and Haken? That's nuts. I saw Leprous last march and they were phenomenal. Seeing Haken and Plini this may

[@brodyyohai2316]

@@Not_Lewis I also saw them last March with The Ocean here in NC! What an incredible show. I also have tickets for Haken in May, always excited to see them live again.

[@ashleygreenaway6312]

I got my first real eight-string, bought it at the five-and-dime, played it till my fingers bled, was the summer of ‘85.

[@golgol4903]

Geebz, it's actually hay-ken. Fantastic band btw.

[@digoutyourMUSEsoul]

Please listen to Richard Henshall´s solo album, any song , it is amazing!.. He is one of Haken guitarrists.

[@digoutyourMUSEsoul]

@@brandonbarnwell5916 Lunar Room is awesome too...the entire album is just amazing tbh

[@LemmyGibbler]

This song is just magical. Love these guys

[@t3hgir]

this track immediately stood out from Affinity. Best blend of 80s pop/prog sound with 8 strings and contemporary prog metal I've heard.

[@u.v.s.5583]

That honor must go to Alkaloid (Kernel Panic)

[@robertb.4202]

This is easily one of Haken’s best songs. This is a banger! 🤘

[@SpaghettiWithMeatSauce]

This is such a fun freakin song. Haken are an absolute BLAST live

[@jasonjenkins6373]

Managed to catch them in a small venue. Very good performance and the singers vocals were ridiculously good.

[@u.v.s.5583]

His glasses are even better than the vocals. Iconic!

[@matthewsammut2881]

i love this channel as it makes me appreciate tracks I know and love even more

[@jasonjenkins6373]

Dream theater meets Yes 👍

[@isuckatguitar6252]

I love that this song reminds me so much of the movies I grew up loving in the mid-80s, all those syth sounds and marimba beats, the sounds remind me very much of the pop era & the movie soundtracks of the time picture Berverly Hills Cop, Weird Science, The Gonnies etc etc...

[@vadacris4095]

The smiles say it all! Thanks again

[@johnfoster7823]

I was just about to go bed and saw a new video from Geebz so of course I clicked......and uh...well....what the hell just happened!? I've never heard anything like this but I'm so so glad I did. I almost went through life without knowing this existed. Thank you for this. It made my day. Is everything they do like this? Never mind I'm just gonna go find out! Great vid as always.

[@squarefrog]

Geebz, I’m feeling really under the weather and this has brightened up my day! Haken are one of my favourite bands!!

[@KeyOfGeebz]

AWWWRIGHT!! :)

[@vadacris4095]

Oooo hooray!!! This is my favorite of theirs! (c= thank you for sharing

[@saughs]

Saw them play this live back when it came out. It was awesome, as expected

[@ckokomo808]

This is my favorite album by Haken! Absolutely LOVE the 80’s influence blended together with some of the heavier aspects of modern prog metal. STELLAR ALBUM. Glad you enjoyed it so much!! Thanks for the video as always ✌🏽

[@Arrow2theACL]

Henshall is a genius. So much thought and production goes into each song and the most amazing thing is they pull everything off live flawlessly. Given what you do on the side for the kids, you have to listen to The Cockroach King. Not the single edited version, but the full fan generated video for the cool jazzy parts. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmjaqIyjnLZ0o7s

[@fabiobentes]

"Henshall is a genius". You should listen to his solo album, "Cocoon". To me, Henshall, Rudess, Vai, Morse, Metheny and Paco de Lucia are the most gifted composers of the past 100 years.

[@chrisnielsen9885]

Another band I have never heard of that I know I’m going to love! Thanks Geebz! And thank god for Apple Music so I can just pull up any old thing and try it out

[@skeletankmcgraw7343]

I commented in the past that I wanted you to do this one and it looks like you put it up on my birthday....what a coincidence! 😂

[@yhamez37]

That was pretty epic. Thanks Geebz!

[@antimatter7683]

Loved seeing you listen to more Haken

[@Shenaniman]

Would love to see you react to Musical Chairs by Fair to Midland. Such an incredible band

[@sirpentor9611]

Fair to midland needs more up votes

[@kalas-kurt]

Hear hear!

[@ProgressiveNut6193]

The whole Album is a Masterpiece 🤍💛🧡❤💚💙🤎💜🖤 I Love Your Reactions

[@PeytonDrums05]

Let's go Geebz! Haken is definitely the band to get into when thinking of starting your prog metal journey!

[@DM72513]

Great song! As a metal enthusiast and a fan of Synthwave, I loved this.

[@JaySay]

God dang, Geebz, really pulling out all the big guns, huh! I read the comments before listening real quick, so I knew to look out for that _Yes_ influence, but I was blown away with how well they added that rhythm with keeping it to a different tone (so fucking djenty) and those siiiiiiick transitions and background elements! And those choruses in the very back were a fantastic touch. I would've both hated and *loved* to be an engineer in the studio with them! Fantastic song here, Geebz. I'm definitely going to have to pick up this album for my collection! Thanks man, and thanks to everyone who recommended it. Think I found my new fav here! Thanks for the vid, Geebz, I appreciate it. I'm still here, keep on rocking!🤘🤙

[@Arrow2theACL]

Each album is a different concept in which the theme of the lyrics matches the music for the albums. So unique.

[@ericpayne9091]

Check out their previous album The Mountain, it's a straight masterpiece

[@sam.246]

I fell in love with Haken when they were just in the beginning. Absolutely fantastic band, one of the best if not the best "random band discovery" I had.

[@scottflatt9880]

I know you did this a year ago but i just saw them Friday, three hours of amazing music.

[@friedux2065]

Got to see them play this song live a couple months ago! So much fun.

[@Holktube]

This may be my favorite Haken song. My favorite of theirs is always different depending on which day you ask me, but this may be my favorite. The "break the code" section with the layered vocals is so good.

[@NotRKelly.]

Thank you Geebz

[@Cloudburzt]

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned in the comments before, but I've always loved how the vocal melody in the final chorus is displaced rhythmically by an 8th note compared to previous choruses. It comes in an 8th note earlier on all the phrases. Really cool little change.

[@skeletankmcgraw7343]

Yeah, everything in the last chorus is played at a faster tempo. I always really loved that about this track.

[@Cloudburzt]

@@skeletankmcgraw7343 I think the tempo is the same (about 140 bpm), but it has a double time feel with the snare - as well as more energetic kick pattern. I'll have to listen again. I mostly remember noticing that the first two chorus section has the vocal melody coming in at the "and" of 1, where as the final chorus the vocals just sit straight on 1, even though the melody stays the same.

[@williamclose6978]

Love the "Final Countdown" style keyboard solo.

[@chadcrichton7703]

That part 2/3 in where the keyboards come in and do the little solo, totally sounds like the music in Rocky IV where he is training in the snow in Russia lol!! First time I heard this song, that popped into my head. They do a great job of bringing that 80's vibe. Great song to react to Geebz!

[@zbullfrog96]

In their most recent show, they played this song and right before the big instrumental happens, they play the entirety of owner of a lonely heart, and then jump right back where they left off in the song, it was fantastic

[@robertbhatt]

This song is lovely ♥️

[@mirkecWii]

Man this was awesome, please oh please do more haken or maybe some other prog bands (opeth,dream theater?)

[@elpenza]

from 9.55 I always expect to get one of those rocky movie montages :), brilliant track, still one of my favorite Haken songs!

two seconds into song: *shakes head in prog*

[@fatsuperfly]

One of my fave songs from these guy, it does have sound. Lol! This is the album I got into them, never knew about em before. But went into the rabbit hole with them.

[@sharilynbratton6476]

This album and The Mountain are my top fave Haken albums!

[@Flugmorph]

absolutely mental song, love haken.

[@TBaggins96]

Falling Back to Earth from The Mountain. It's such a swelling, epic, beautiful song.

[@kalas-kurt]

Haven't made the connection before, but there's a lot of Yes in here for sure! Especially a lot of *Fly From Here* vibes going on, along with Toto and the whole chibang. Amazing blend of everything.

[@jeffsawma]

What a masterpiece.

[@helderfilipe2000]

Love this band.seen them in portugal and they were amazing.sometimes people in their gigs dont react that much because its difficult to swallow a life performance from haken since they are so much more beyond than what regular music is comprehensive to us sometimes. Amazing band to see live. A must. Shame they still not that famous but I promise you this. This is music

[@ju1c31ng0t]

Ive heard that since Vola is my no.1 fav band that i would also enjoy these guys

[@Beardfish.]

They're both AMAZING bands

[@honk1419]

love that baken

[@zerodivider4333]

I saw them open for Devin Townshend and became an insta-fan. I listen to this album in entirety at least quarterly.

[@johnstanton7118]

Man if you like Haken, you will like Parius’ new album! It’s prog of rock/metal blend!

[@adriftandatpeace]

The synth section near the end is almost a cover of part of Vince DiCola's "Autobot/Decepticon Battle" from the 1986 Transformers movie score. Check it out, Geebz, I think you'd like it.

[@pureventrue2357]

Their keyboard player commented that he was particularly inspired by Vince DiCola's work (guy behind the og Transformers soundtrack) which you can 100% hear in this song. There's 1 section in particular that sounds like it's been lifted straight from the Transformers OST. Listen to the section starting at 10:37 in this video, then look up Autobot / Decepticon battle & listen from 1:21 & tell me you don't hear the direct similarity!

[@driedurchin]

Wow!

[@jasonjenkins6373]

Never spotted that before , only the Super Mario's skit in one of the songs from Visions. I'm sure there are a million things in their catalogue.

[@Holktube]

Also, pair this song with The Endless Knot and the themes and recurring lyrics/melodies create a whole piece pretty nicely.

[@vinipl87]

Great album, special love for Bound By Gravity track

[@acevalentine909]

"whatever ya gottem" Geebz you're the best lol

[@MisterBrimm]

I had the chance to see Haken a couple months ago, still kicking myself for not going.

[@fizzgig000]

Haken have been pausing this song live for a little interjection of Yes - Owner of a Lonely Heart in the middle.

[@FVD]

Love the Vince DiCola inspired keyboard solo. Somebody synced it with the Rocky IV Training Montage on KZbin.

[@GarDenofThieves]

Big King Crimson vibe (Frame By Frame) but with very different dynamics, can't explain it

[@ed8845]

Pleeaaasseee react to Haken Crystallised 🙏 you will love it !

[@tmotus84]

Yessss!!!! HAKEN!!!!

[@ianmitnick8245]

I suggest and request you react to the newer Haken song called "Messiah Complex" - it is in about 5 to 7 parts all put together but is an extremely impressive display of their talents and great and fun to listen to - most people say to say "Haken" it rhymes with the word "Bacon" but that's ok because it is a bit of a strange word

[@RicardoAlfonsoGarciaRuiz]

You should try next with Elephants Never Forget, such an amazing track

[@TheRealJoeNathan]

If you do more Haken, I'd recommend listening to the full version of Cockroach King, Nocturnal Conspiracy, or Visions if you have 22 minutes (one of my favorite songs ever). As for 1985, this is one of my favorite Haken songs, it sounds like Yes and the middle section sounds like you could hear it in a Rocky movie. They use 8-string guitars in F# standard, so that's most likely a low f#, not a C, (sometimes they use a drop-pedal to go even lower!), that verse always gets me going. Haken is the band that made me pick up an 8-string.

[@kurtis4572]

The new Haken single that came out months ago is super fun. New album will be great times.

[@themightymcb7310]

Their newest album, Virus, is really damn good. Also, The Mountain was an instant classic record once they put it out. A must-listen for any music nerd. Oh, and I've got a non-Haken recommendation. Check out a song called Find Your Cloud by Papadosio. Lots of cool stuff going on in the engineering in that song.

[@Jorduan100]

Transformers The Movie - 1986 - its plastered all over that middle section, the depcipticon "theme" is almost note for note - bloody love it

[@dodgrblu]

like Yes + Dream Theater(who are also influenced by Yes) + Vince Dicola's 1986 Transformers soundtrack

[@patrick86806]

man these guys are crazy! love this song! I hear Yes, Tool, DreamTheater, the theme for Transformers The Movie (the animated one!) and other cool influences that you know you have heard somewhere, somehow! crazy good band! aaaawright!

[@ProgHead89]

This was my first time hearing this and i reacted similarly. Great song.

[@RKaneInDaMembrane]

Such a fun piece of music. If the dark synth section from 10:36 onwards isn't a nod to the ol' 80's Transformers movie I'll eat my shins.

[@hyl14nn1gh7]

Haken like Bacon! Also the band uses 8 string guitars, which are tuned to F# in standard. Not sure if they drop tune further though.

[@Agnarian]

I have never heard of Haken before and I don't know how I missed this band. It actually makes me think that they were a huge influence on Tool. The cadence, the driving bass, the vocal arrangement. Impressed.

[@paramourcat]

I don't know for sure, but I'm pretty sure they're a lot newer than Tool. This is Haken's 4th album, from 2016.

[@earth23home]

@@paramourcat tbf tool also had only released 4 albums by 2016. But tool predates haken by at least a decade and a half

[@senseicorey9979]

Heavy Tool vibes

[@superbanhaman]

PLEASE do more haken, it sounds like bacon so it must be good!! They truly are one of the best prog metal bands today

[@austinzepitaph]

Haken. It rhymes with Taken and Bacon. (: Absolutely love them, one of my favorite Prog bands, and favorite bands in general.

[@DeagleLas]

You should do a slow burn of Haken, they have so many good tracks! You would love Cockroach King, song and video! Awwright! Still here!

[@Arrow2theACL]

Wide verity between each album as well.

[@DeagleLas]

@@Arrow2theACL Indeed!

[@wajietaus]

Hello I noticed you reviewed few muse songs may I suggest "Take a bow" hidden gem in my oppinion

[@audiosmurf]

What a killer song

[@EiriUesugiKun]

Had tickets to see them in Budapest this February. They cancelled. Now I have tickets to see them in Helsinki next April..

[@MrGmonkeywillruleyou]

One of the killer bands I’ve discovered from KZbin

[@johnward5404]

Haken RULES and this is a great song.

[@mattwallace4768]

I actually messaged them on Facebook and they responded, it's pronounced Hay-ken.

[@PeedgeMcDuck]

More Haken!

[@LeinadCasey]

Hey Geebz, I’ll probably be one of the very few people to ever recommend this band, Artifex Pereo. Song name “Paper Ruled All”. Very underrated, very underground, but massively talented. If I’m not the first person to ever recommend them, awesome, but if I am, please give them a listen. You will be quite surprised.

[@erikmaronde2244]

Haken are very aware of prog tradition and put it to new level. Same life when I saw them with Devin Townsend iñ 2019. A musical force.

[@wolframreactor74]

Ray Hearne On drums is just mind blowing

[@skeletankmcgraw7343]

I really miss Diego (the guy who does the keyboards/synth on this album), as I feel like he really did interesting things on this album, such as with Red Giant for example. Ever since he left their stuff has been lacking anything real interesting/experimental in the keyboard department, and they keyboards have really taken a back seat as well.

[@manfredmar]

@@skeletankmcgraw7343 they have released 1 song since his departure.

[@It_is_I_Stupid]

He takes any Haken song to three other levels, he's a beast!