Hey, turn off whatever crap you’re listening to right now and switch to Haken.
I don’t think the timing of the release would have allowed them time to plan for irony or cultural relevance in the title, but the aptly-named “Virus” is one of the essential albums of 2020.
Reminds me of:
21st-century Opeth, Devin Townsend, Katatonia, melodic BTBAM, Aeon Zen, Shumaun, middle-era Voivod, Spock’s Beard, and labelmates, Caligula’s Horse.
“Prosthetic” opens the album with a monstrous staccato build - - now that’s how you do a song intro! - - before diving into excellently-crafted verses and stanzas, hitting orchestral flourishes to make Devin Townsend blush. Track two, “Invasion,” showcases Haken's rhythmic brilliance - - and what makes them stand out.

Drummer, Raymond Hearne, is a thinking person’s drummer and leader on the riser. His sticks dance restlessly from piece-to-piece in dialogue with the rest of the songs, directing the processions. The whole band are as tight as a drum corp., and Hearne deserves much of the credit.
The album has its own opening act, kicking off with some killer tunes, leading up to the main event: the “Messiah Complex” suite. A quick superficial note about the “Messiah Complex” I through V - - including outro “Only Stars,” which feels connected. . . Many Prog Metal bands would have combined them into one massive 19-minute song, but Haken were wise in this instance to break the sections up into smaller, separate tracks. The full endeavor is much more manageable this way, and it’s a worthy one to take.
What’s most impressive about Haken is how the songs weave and travel from measure to measure. Excellent little guitar riffs and vocal melodies fly fast and furious, but Haken don’t just settle on one killer riff and chug at it for minutes at a time - - this ain’t S.O.D. The songs and movements on “Virus” show a band who’ve mastered the art of pacing and exchange. They manage the tides so that interesting parts and intense moments crash like waves, then recede, giving the listener time to appreciate their beauty, while setting them up for the next one.
“Prosthetic” is one that will get many, many relistens - - but the real accomplishment here is the “Messiah Complex” series.
Bravo, Haken.