Haken

Few bands have reshaped modern progressive metal quite like Haken. Formed in London in 2007 by multi-instrumentalist Richard Henshall, guitarist Matthew Marshall, and vocalist Ross Jennings, the group spent years honing their craft before committing to the project; the three had first imagined the band back in 2004 but chose to develop their instruments and songwriting first. After recruiting further members, they issued the demo ‘Enter the 5th Dimension’ in 2008, signed with Sensory Records, and delivered their debut album ‘Aquarius’ in 2010.

That early groundwork matured into one of the most distinctive catalogs in the genre. Today the band counts seven studio albums, two EPs, and two live albums as of 2026, with ‘The Mountain’ widely regarded as a turning point in their career and a lasting fan favorite. Their 2023 release ‘Fauna’ showed a different side entirely: an eclectic, dense collection drawing on the Animal Kingdom, with each track represented by its own spirit animal.

Citing Dream Theater as a formative influence, Haken have since shifted their focus toward pushing their own creative boundaries and writing the best songs they can. What began as mutual admiration has grown into a career defined by ambition, craft, and an audiences-first ethos that keeps them among progressive music’s most compelling live acts.