Aquarius (Haken album)

Aquarius is the debut studio album by the progressive metal band Haken. Despite the band having released two previous demos, none of the multiple songs already recorded were re-released on this album. A 22-minute medley of the whole album, except for the song "Sun", was included in their live album L-1VE.[1]

Aquarius
Studio album by
Haken
Released29 March 2010 (2010-03-29)
Recorded2009-2010
Genre
Length72:56
LabelSensory
Producer
Haken chronology
Enter the 5th Dimension
(2008)		 Aquarius
(2010)		 Visions
(2011)

Aquarius was largely written on the piano by guitarist/keyboardist Richard Henshall and then developed with inputs by the rest of the band.[2] Its tracks are generally longer than in more popular music, with the shortest track being just under 7 minutes and the longest being nearly 17.[3] It is a concept album about a mermaid, discovered by a fisherman and sold to a circus, whose blood is the only thing capable of saving the human race from a flood resulting from global warming issues. She ultimately dies for mankind's sake.[2]

The album artwork was created by Dennis Sibeijn,[3] who has also worked with 3, Job for a Cowboy, and See You Next Tuesday, among others.

Reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[4]
Classic Rock Magazinepositive[5]

The reception of this album was generally positive.

Eduardo Rivadavia of AllMusic praised it as the strongest prog album yet to come out in the 2010s.[4] Classic Rock Magazine featured the song "Eternal Rain" as a free track of the day on 15 April 2010. The small review given was positive, calling it "interesting music from a young London band who combine jazz, metal and prog, delivered with excellent musicianship."[5]

Track listing

All lyrics are written by Ross Jennings[6][7][8]; all music is composed by Richard Henshall.

No.TitleLength
1."The Point of No Return"11:28
2."Streams"
  • I. "Streams"
  • II. "Veins"
  • III. "Digression"
10:16
3."Aquarium"10:45
4."Eternal Rain"6:38
5."Drowning in the Flood"9:28
6."Sun"7:20
7."Celestial Elixir"17:01
Total length:72:56

Personnel

References
  1. https://www.allmusic.com/album/l1ve-mw0003171647
  2. Serafine, Frank (September 23, 2011). "Haken Explains Story Behind "Visions," Favorite Bands, And Musical Training". metalunderground.com. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  3. AllMusic guide page for Aquarius with track listing. Retrieved 2010-08-18.
  4. Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Aquarius". AllMusic. Retrieved 2010-08-19.
  5. Dome, M. "Track of the Day: Haken". Classic Rock Magazine. Retrieved 2010-08-20.
  6. AllMusic guide Aquarius page with musicians credit. Retrieved 2010-08-18.
  7. AllMusic guide Haken biography and member listing Retrieved 2010-08-18.
  8. AllMusic guide Aquarius listing, with track list. Retrieved 2010-08-18.
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