HAKEN: Liveforms

Every once in a while, a band hits that rare alignment where everything, from the songs to the setlist to the lineup, just clicks. On the heels of 2023’s Fauna, Haken returns with Liveforms, a sprawling, career-spanning live album that captures the band at a true creative and performance peak.

Recorded during the final stretch of their 2023–2024 world tour, Liveforms finds the band playing to a hometown crowd at London’s O2 Forum, and the energy is unmistakable. From the first few bars of “Taurus” to the final chorus of “Visions,” this thing is fluid, purposeful, and absolutely bursting with life. The band sounds phenomenal. The performances are airtight. And the setlist? Well, for longtime fans and newcomers alike, it’s hard to imagine a better summary of what makes this band so special

Clocking in at nearly three hours, and split across three CDs (or presented in full on Blu-ray), this set is more than just a companion piece to Fauna. It’s a celebratory document of everything Haken have become, and, perhaps more importantly, where they’re headed next.

Disc One offers Fauna in full, performed in-sequence, start-to-finish. It’s worth noting that Haken make very few tweaks to the studio arrangements here. No extended jams, no drastic tempo shifts, no added flash. But that doesn’t mean it’s safe or sterile. Instead, what you get is a top-tier band delivering one of their best records in a true live setting.  

Opening with the atmospheric “The Last Lullaby,” the band segues into “Taurus” and never looks back. “The Alphabet of Me” gets a little extra live flair thanks to the trumpet cameo, while “Sempiternal Beings” and “Beneath the White Rainbow” stand tall as two of the set’s early highlights. And then, of course, there’s the ridiculous one-two punch of “Elephants Never Forget” and “Eyes of Ebony,” a pair of mini epics that stand among the band’s best work to date.

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Following a brief intermission, the second set feels like an expertly curated survey of Haken’s back catalog. And here’s where the album really cements itself. The band opens with “Puzzle Box” and then just fires off one gem after another. “Earthrise,” “Cockroach King,” “1985,” each one reminding you of a different era, a different sonic approach, and somehow they all work together. “Nil by Mouth” hits especially hard. 

The real surprise is “Drowning in the Flood,” a deep cut from Aquarius that’s delivered here with equal parts heart and heft. The encore? Another pair of show-stopping epics (“Crystallized” and “Visions”) capping off a set that somehow ends even stronger than it began.

Speaking of which, I want to take a second to address Ross Jennings.

My take? He’s never sounded better. Jennings has always been a polarizing figure in prog circles; the range is undeniable, but his tone falls into acquired taste territory for some. Still, Jennings is in peak form here. Sure, there’s the odd wobble (the chorus of “Lovebite” comes to mind), but this is live, afterall. Vocally, he nails just about every twist and turn of this monster set. What’s more impressive is that he seems to actually gain strength as the show progresses. His delivery during the encore (specifically, “Visions”) is jaw-dropping—confident, soaring, and somehow just as powerful (if not more) as anything that came before. 

Of course, Jennings wasn’t alone. Guitarists Richard Henshall and Charlie Griffiths confidently trade off leads and rhythms. Connor Green’s bass is present and articulate throughout, and the severely underrated Ray Hearne’s drumming (particularly on “Sempiternal Beings” and “Visions”) is a masterclass in dynamics, power, and feel. The return of keyboardist Pete Jones adds a welcome sense of sonic adventure, all but erasing any doubts or concerns regarding the band’s recent lineup shuffle.

Production-wise, Liveforms is just amazing. The crowd is there and present, but never overpowering, and the mix (courtesy of longtime collaborator Jens Bogren) is punchy, warm, and crystal clear. This is the point where I’d typically try to sprinkle in some constructive critiques, but I literally have none.

For longtime fans, Liveforms is a worthy successor to L-1VE, and certainly a more complete representation of what Haken has become. For newcomers, it’s a perfect point of entry: a three-hour masterclass in modern progressive metal. Available in multiple formats, Liveforms rewards those who go all-in. In addition to the obligatory CD and streaming versions, the Blu-ray release restores the original setlist order and adds a 28-minute behind-the-scenes feature. No matter how you listen, though, the experience holds up. And honestly, for anyone even remotely interested in Haken—or modern progressive metal in general—this one’s essential.

Bottom line: Liveforms is not just a live album. It’s a statement. And Haken, some fifteen years into their career, sounds more vital than ever.