Vector
Vector brings Haken's heavier side into sharper focus. It is a shorter and more concentrated album than much of their earlier work, with forceful riffs and a rhythm section that rarely takes the easy route. The change does not remove their melodic identity, although it sometimes puts that identity under considerable pressure.
The Good Doctor makes a strong early impression after the brief organ introduction of Clear. Its direct chorus gives the song an immediate appeal, while the shifting instrumental details keep it from becoming too straightforward. It is a useful demonstration of how Haken can make a complicated arrangement feel accessible without removing the complicated parts.
Puzzle Box takes that approach further, moving through tightly connected changes in rhythm and weight. The guitars provide plenty of force, but bass, drums and keyboards contribute much of the interest. Vector works best when those parts interact, rather than simply adding another layer of heaviness around the singing.
Veil supplies the longer centrepiece. It has room for extended instrumental exchanges, yet its vocal passages give the arrangement a clear shape. Nil by Mouth then concentrates the technical side into an instrumental workout. The playing is exceptionally controlled, though the constant drive can make the record feel less varied than Haken's broader, more atmospheric albums.
Host is important for that reason. Its quieter opening and more exposed vocal performance give the music a different emotional weight. A Cell Divides returns to the heavier setting, but keeps Jennings' melodies near the centre. Both songs show how much this album gains from allowing some space around its busiest passages.
The production gives the instruments considerable impact, and that suits the material. It also makes the shortage of longer quiet sections more noticeable. Listeners drawn to Haken mainly for their gentler or stranger arrangements may find this particular balance less satisfying.
Taken on its own terms, Vector is a very good example of focused progressive metal. Its best songs combine memorable singing with difficult, energetic playing, and the shorter running time helps that approach hold together. The Good Doctor and Veil make the clearest case for it.
