Haken

Introducing HAKEN, one of the most exciting sounds to emerge from the modern progressive movement. Formed in 2007, HAKEN is a virtuoso and eclectic progressive rock/metal band from London, England, comprising some of the country's finest young musiciansWithin months of our first show in July 2007, we were billed in support of Riverside (Inside Out) at Camden’s prestigious Underworld. Since then we have performed headlining sets to packed houses around London, including several sold-out shows at "the best live music venue in south-west London", The Peel in Kingston, and on the strength of these performances HAKEN were recently selected to open for King’s X (Inside Out) at The Wulfrun Hall in Wolverhampton and at Camden’s impressive Electric Ballroom in January 2009 In its brief existence, HAKEN has become respected within the British metal community, and its unique and imaginative genre-bending approach has earned praise from all corners of the globeWe were honoured and excited to be invited to share the stage as the main support for Bigelf on their first UK tour in October 2009, culminating in a sold out show at The Camden BarflyThe members of HAKEN are established in their respective fields.Richard Henshall 's (guitars/keyboards) fret-board mastery is admired and respected amongst London's guitar-elite. Hen’s keyboard skills were recently employed by fellow prog-metal band To-Mera in support of Pain of Salvation and Adagio. Hen has been a full time member of To-Mera since November 2007Charlie Griffiths’ (guitar), projects (past and present) include Linear Sphere, in support of Dream Theater and Cynic, also runners-up in the 2002 Dream Theater song-writing competition, and Anchorhead, personally acclaimed by Dream Theater’s Mike Portnoy. Charlie teaches at London's Guitar Institute and writes for globally published Guitar Technique and Total Guitar magazinesTom MacLean (bass guitar) studied jazz guitar at Trinity College of Music and is also the guitarist and writer in To-Mera with the additional experience of supporting Emperor and Dream TheaterRay Hearne (drums) studies at the Guildhall School of Music. Ray won the 2008 'Origin8' national composition competition and consequently worked alongside producers associated with Kano, U.N.K.L.E. and Queens of the Stone Age. In his former band, Ray supported Enter Shikari. Ross Jennings (vocals) has served many unsigned UK bands. Ross is respected for his charismatic stage presence and diverse range of vocal styles which he uses to execute his words with clarity and passion.Diego Tejeida is a keyboard maestro, composer and producer from Mexico, based in LondonWe have a complete debut album of brand new, original material out now on the SENSORY label - AQUARIUS - Sensory is part of THE LASER’s EDGE group.The album was mixed in Germany at Spacelab Studios (Delain, Everon, Wolverine) by Christian Moos and mastered in Germany at Eroc's Mastering Ranch. Graphics were created by Dennis Sibeijn at Damn Engine to tie in specifically with the Aquarius storyKen Golden the owner and MD of LASER’s EDGE said this about AQUARIUS'Haken’s AQUARIUS arrived from the factory today. Looks and sounds great. Eroc did a great job mastering this sonic beast. The band melds metal with progressive rock, drawing influences from contemporary bands like Dream Theater and Shadow Gallery as well as "old school" icons Genesis and Queen. Aquarius is their debut release - a 72 minute, larger than life conceptual sci-fi/fantasy work filled with bombastic keyboard flourishes, stunning vocals, and lethal guitar work.We opened for The Diablo Swing Orchestra at The Camden Underworld in May 2010.We played DAY 2 of PROGPOWER EUROPE 2010 on 2nd October in Baarlo Holland - with the legendary Shadow Gallery headliningWe played DAY 2 at SUMMER’S END 2010 on 9th October in Lydney Gloucestershire - sharing the stage with Karmakanic and Agents of MercyNovember 12th 2010 we joined with the legendary and insane Freak Kitchen at The Camden Underworld.We have accepted an invitation to play at FUSED the new UK progressive metal festival at Lydney, Glos' in April 2011, alongside Threshold and Vanden Plas.
www.fusedfestival.comWe are also booked for our first USA show at PROGPOWER USA XII in Atlanta in September 2011. More details to follow.
www.progpowerusa.comThanks again for your interest - it means a lot to
us.www.haken.frhakenmusic@hotmail.co.uk