Affinity | ||||
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Studio album by Haken | ||||
Released | 29 April 2016 | |||
Recorded | 2015-2016 | |||
Genre | Progressive metal | |||
Length | 61:26 | |||
Label | Inside Out Music | |||
Producer | Jens Bogren | |||
Haken chronology | ||||
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Singles from Affinity | ||||
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Professional ratings | |
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Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | |
Metal.de | |
Sputnikmusic | |
Ultimate Guitar Archive | 8.4/10 |
Progressive Music Planet | |
When Prog and Power Unite | A |
Metal Injection | |
Angry Metal Guy | |
Heavy Blog is Heavy | |
Metal Underground |
Affinity is the fourth studio album by British progressive metal band Haken. It was released on 29 April 2016 through Inside Out Music. It is the group's first full-length album to feature bassist Conner Green following the departure of Thomas MacLean. The first single "Initiate" was released on 18 March 2016. The second single "The Endless Knot" was released on 11 April 2016.
To promote the album, the band had its official website completely redesigned to simulate a 1980s operational system.
Affinity covers subjects such as the evolution of computing and humanity, the relationship between man and machine, human behavior, modern society and it also asks if "artificial intelligence will ever surpass the human capacity to create/recreate life". When asked if it was a concept album, vocalist Ross Jennings said that it "is more like a soundtrack to a series of recurring themes than an actual concept album." He also said that none of the band members "feel like we've made our best work yet, let alone 'made it'. So that urge to produce something better than last time will always be there."
The cover art was created by Backlake Design (The Mountain and Restoration) and features the same six birds seen in The Mountain cover art, each representing a member of the band. It was inspired by packaging, business, commercial brand logos and computing from the 1980s.
Affinity marks the first time all six members contributed with compositions from scratch instead of building music around guitarist/keyboardist Richard Henshall's ideas. It is inspired by 80's music, specifically prog music. Jennings said Affinity is an attempt to show people how the elements from that decade were necessary for the band's evolution despite many saying prog died back then. Keyboardist Diego Tejeida said he was inspired by the decade's heavy usage of synths, particularly by Vince DiCola's works.
The idea of making an entire album dedicated to that time came after the band spent much time listening to Toto, DiCola and Van Halen, and specially after guitarist Charlie Griffiths sent them an initial version of "1985".