Progressive metal pioneers, Haken, went on an extensive world tour in 2023 and 2024 supporting their latest full album release, Fauna. The last leg of the tour brings the equally extensive live album Liveforms, marking the band’s second full concert live album and their first since 2018. With lots of new music to cover since then, as well as a band member change, this album stands out even more than the previous L-1VE Haken live album release.
The concert took place on September 21st in 2024 at the O2 Forum Kentish Town in London, England, which distinguished the show as a hometown performance for the band. As previously noted, there has been a band member change since their first live album. A familiar face, the original keyboardist Peter Jones rejoined the band in replacement of Diego Tejeida. Haken had also released 3 more studio albums since the L-1VE concert was recorded including the latest with Peter Jones back in the band.
This segment of the tour, using the “Evening With” format, the band played two full sets beginning with their latest release, Fauna, in full. The second set featured a career-spanning selection of songs hitting every album in their discography, plus each set ended with an epic song of eighteen minutes in length. Haken demonstrated not only a precise performance, but the stamina and energy to deliver for over two and a half hours of music. Due to the length and depending on the format (CD, Vinyl, Blu-Ray or Digital) of the album, the track list may be slightly different than the order the concert was performed. With the digital and blu-ray being the formats in the original order. Due to physical limitations of CD and Vinyl, the epic set-ending tracks had to be separated and out of order on a third disc.
As the concert starts the Fauna album in full. The band doesn’t really go off the path when performing the album as they keep true to performing it as released and in order. One thing immediately noticed is the crisp and clean production. Impeccable sound quality and yet, it doesn’t feel like the album even though the performance is spot on. The production and sound do feel live and balanced. This album was mixed by Jens Bogren who has worked with the band many times including mixing Fauna as well. It’s quite clear, the team knows how to make this band sound incredible. The crowd is also fairly loud in spots adding to that live album feel. The live rendition of the Fauna single The Alphabet of Me does include a live trumpet to raise the bar of a live feel even more.
Sempiternal Beings is a track that really lets drummer, Ray Hearne, shine. As a personal favorite from the Faunaalbum, this track really delivers. However, this album isn’t really about my favorite Fauna songs from album playthroughs. The performance of this song raises the level for the tracks I didn’t initially love as much from the album. It’s the live performance of songs Beneath the White Rainbow (which was a single to promote this album) and Eyes of Ebony that really stood out as unique songs when given the spotlight. Ultimately, the epic Elephants Never Forget will be the centerpiece track which many will gravitate towards as the most impressive song to hear live. A track where guitarists Richard Henshall and Charlie Griffiths have their moment in the sun, and let’s not forget bassist, Connor Greene, who also gets to share the spotlight. After a flawless Fauna, the band goes into the epic Crystallised which was featured as a bonus track on the previous live album, but here it gets to stand out as a set closer after the listener’s jaw has already been on the floor.
While the band did an intermission during the live performance. The live album jumps right into the next set which kicks off with the heavy song Puzzle Box (the second single for the album). While the second set is career-spanning, it does feature two Vector and two Virus songs, making it lean a bit more heavily on the modern side of Haken’s music. However, with Virus being released during the global pandemic and not getting a proper tour for the album, I personally would have hoped for some more Virus tracks, but can’t complain when the band had played the newest album in full already. Smack in between the Virus songs is a drum and keyboard interlude titled Strainwreck which adds something unique to the live album.
Haken ends the epic set with a track from their first album, one that had not been played for some time, Drowning in the Flood. The encore was another epic, the title and final track from Visions. As if the concert could not be any longer and more demanding for the band! Such a challenging set for vocalist Ross Jennings, but he handled it seemingly without issue or fault.
For a live album, it really has everything you can want. The band gives a masterclass in progressive metal performance art. The mixing and production are incredibly clean while still feeling live, giving it a special spot in the Haken discography. A setlist with a full album plus a diverse selection of songs throughout their career. This is a must-have for any Haken fan, new or experienced.
Rating: 9.4/10
Order it here: https://haken.lnk.to/Liveforms-Album
The full setlist is as follows:
Set 1:
The Last Lullaby
Taurus
Nightingale
The Alphabet Of Me
Sempiternal Beings
Beneath The White Rainbow
Island In The Clouds
Lovebite
Elephants Never Forget
Eyes of Ebony
Crystallised
Set 2:
Puzzle Box
Earthrise
Cockroach King
Nil By Mouth
1985
The Strain
Strainwreck
Canary Yellow
Drowning In the Flood
Visions
HAKEN are:
Ross Jennings
Richard Henshall
Charlie Griffiths
Pete Jones
Conner Green
Ray Hearne
HAKEN online:
www.hakenmusic.com
https://x.com/Haken_Official
http://www.facebook.com/HakenOfficial
https://www.instagram.com/haken_official/
