Rock your face off Friday: Haken's Aquarius

If you are at all....AT ALL...into epic, progressive, symphonic, technical, and/or jazz rock then you need to step away from your keyboard, drive to the record store, and pick up Haken's debut "Aquarius" from earlier this year (or just purchase it online). It has remained in HEAVY rotation for me all year long, and is simply an unreal debut by this band - one of those albums I have to listen to from start to finish. The lyrics and subject matter will seem odd out of context if you're paying too much attention, it is a concept album after all, but the music is SPECTACULAR. Melodies, harmonies, orchestration, flat-out rocking, grooving, you name it, this band can do it and do it incredibly well. Now, the songs I'm linking are long listens, but they're my favorites off the album...throw some headphones on and be captivated.

Drowning in the Flood

Celestial Elxiir - Part 1

Celestial Elixir - Part 2