Haken doesn't do growls too often, so their use of them here is both a nice splash for people who do like them and a tolerable annoyance to people who don't. While this song is an absolute masterpiece on its own, I do feel like it is even better when you take it in context with the rest of the album. Although Affinity isn't a full concept album, it does have a pseudo-story to it, and many themes and phrases are repeatedly used across the whole thing. For instance, the ending passage in this song, "Oh hear this vow tied together, forever," uses the same melody as the chorus of Initiate, the first full song on the album. That sort of interconnection allows such outstanding songs to rise even higher than they ever could on their own.
To be clear, the screams/growls in this song are not Ross's. They are featured vocals from Einar Solberg, the vocalist of Leprous! When they have Einar live with em occasionally, it's PHENOMENAL! Einar is an amazing clean singer too, and his newer scream, since The Congregation is SICK. To add, his range has ranged from G2-C6, it use to be even more wild, but he stopped some of his vocals as they were causing strain, like his distorted highs.
Old progger here (but not as old as *some*!). I've honestly never heard this band before, but I've seen them popping up on prog reaction channels a bunch so thought I should give them a listen. I mainly liked the instrumental interlude that IMO echoed 80's King Crimson's circular math rock moments, but they gave it a different enough textural vibe to make it their own. I can totally do without cookie monster growling (which is why I've struggled to get into Opeth.) The singer was good, but IMO not great. It does seem like a more recent trend in prog metal (especially European bands) is for the singer to have a relatively restrained and melodious style to contrast against the aggressiveness of the instruments. I guess I just feel like I've heard it enough times that it's not distinctive anymore. The guitarists definitely have chops for miles -- very impressive. It's not something I can listen to for long, though, because it gets fatiguing on the ears and brain to process. Where the classic prog bands excelled were matching super sticky melodies to technical wizardry. I'm getting the wizardry from these guys but not enough of the hooks or melodies. But like I said, this is coming from an older prog fan who was brought up with all that old stuff which has formed my tastes. I'm just glad there's something for younger progheads like Nathan to enjoy! Rock on, boy-o! 😄
I love everything Haken did up to this album, i think Affinity is great but not as great as older albums. Their demo album is insanely good, thats why they made that Restoration album and in my opinion, they didnt do it well, because its missing some original segments, it feels incomplete after listening to demo, but the production is much better so people like it more, while i prefer that dry and raw sound of demo album. Aquarius is more emotional and heavy in terms of the feeling you get, but its amazing for what it is. Visions also a masterpiece and Mountain is bit more commercial, but not as much as later albums and has many moments that will hook you up to the album. One advice i would give to people is to listen to whole albums interrupted when they have time, since Haken makes it as a long story and separating songs from album will not have the same effect as when you are lead into song with all the previous ones. Perfect example is song Visions from the same album that is a crescendo of everything youve been hearing for the past 40 mins, its arguably their best work.
