Haken are one of the leading lights of twenty-first-century progressive rock — an English band who have become flagbearers for a whole new generation of prog. Combining dazzling technical musicianship with a restless, genre-hopping imagination, they leap between crushing modern metal, intricate classic prog and unexpected detours into pop and electronica, all within richly conceived albums. Since 2007 they have built one of the most admired bodies of work in contemporary progressive music.

The short version

Formed in London in 2007, Haken play technical, genre-hopping contemporary prog — ambitious modern progressive metal that fuses heavy, complex riffing with soaring melody, retro keyboards and a magpie’s love of musical styles. Across seven albums from their debut “Aquarius” (2010) to “Fauna” (2023), many of them elaborate concept records, they have become one of the defining bands of the modern prog generation. Theirs is prog for the present day, played with virtuosic flair.

London: a new prog generation

Haken came together in London in 2007, growing out of the musical friendship of guitarist and keyboardist Richard Henshall and singer Ross Jennings, who had played together in their school days, and drawing in members of the prog band To-Mera. After a couple of acclaimed demos, the classic line-up took shape in 2008 with the arrival of keyboardist Diego Tejeida and guitarist Charlie Griffiths. Their 2010 debut “Aquarius” announced a bold new voice in progressive metal, and they quickly rose to become one of the most talked-about bands in the modern scene.

Technical, genre-hopping prog

What defines Haken is their sheer range. At their heaviest, they deal in the complex, percussive riffing of modern metal, in the lineage of bands like Meshuggah and Dream Theater; at their most intricate, they channel the playful vocal counterpoint and arrangements of classic prog like Gentle Giant. Around that core they weave retro keyboards and Mellotron, soaring melodies, and surprising excursions into 80s pop, electronica and beyond. Technically formidable but never cold, and bound together by ambitious concepts and a real sense of fun, their music is as adventurous as modern prog gets.

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From Aquarius to Fauna

Haken’s catalogue is a run of ambitious, often conceptual records. The debut “Aquarius” (2010) and its successor “Visions” (2011) established their epic, story-driven style, before “The Mountain” (2013) — home to the much-loved “Cockroach King” — became their breakthrough and a modern prog favourite. “Affinity” (2016) embraced a retro, 80s-inspired aesthetic, while the connected pair “Vector” (2018) and “Virus” (2020) told a darker, heavier story across two albums. Their most recent, “Fauna” (2023), drew inspiration from the animal kingdom, each song a different creature.

Album by album

Seven albums of technical, eclectic, concept-driven modern prog. Tap any title for its guide.

The players

At the heart of Haken are three founding members: singer Ross Jennings, guitarist and keyboardist Richard Henshall — the band’s principal songwriter — and drummer Ray Hearne. For much of their career they were joined by guitarist Charlie Griffiths and bassist Conner Green, both of whom departed the band in early 2026 after many years and several acclaimed albums. The keyboard seat, long held by Diego Tejeida, passed to returning founding member Peter Jones in 2022. Through every change, Haken’s blend of virtuosity and adventure has remained constant.

Where to start

Begin with “The Mountain” (2013), Haken’s breakthrough and arguably their finest hour — varied, melodic and inventive, and home to the dazzling “Cockroach King”. From there, the retro-flavoured “Affinity” (2016) and the heavier, darker “Vector” (2018) show two very different sides of the band. Three albums that capture one of modern prog’s most exciting groups.

Why they still matter

Haken matter as one of the bands who carried progressive rock boldly into the twenty-first century — pairing serious technical chops with a fearless, genre-hopping imagination, and proving that modern prog metal could be as varied, melodic and ambitious as anything from the genre’s past. Hugely influential on a younger generation of prog musicians, they have built a catalogue admired across the rock and metal worlds. For anyone who wants their progressive music technical, adventurous and thrillingly contemporary, Haken are essential listening.

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