Haken Virus The U.K. prog-rock sextet’s latest album may adhere to a lyrical narrative, but according to drummer RAY HEARNE, they’re still dedicated to evolving their sound. Embracing the mystery of their curious Cockroach King character, Haken’s new release, Virus (Inside Out Music), completes the storyline begun on their 2013 album, The Mountain, and developed into a full-fledged saga on their 2018 LP, Vector. Drummer Ray Hearne’s notable evolution across Haken’s eight albums informs his keen, visceral contribution to the band’s most aggressive and complex material to date on Virus. Mixed by heavy music heavyweight Adam “Nolly” Getgood, both the album and Hearne’s kit sound absolutely massive. Standout moments among Virus’s eleven sprawling tracks include Hearne’s mind-bending metric modulations and dense ride patterns on “Carousel,” razor-sharp grooves on “The Strain,” and relentless adherence to the complex riffs in “Messiah Complex ii: A Glutton for Punishment.” We spoke to Hearne about […]

October 2020 Issue