Virus (Haken album)


Virus is the sixth studio album by British progressive metal band Haken. It was released on 24 July 2020 through Inside Out Music.
According to the band's singer, Ross Jennings, the album is loosely connected to their 2018 release Vector. As well as the latter, Virus was mixed by ex-Periphery bassist Adam "Nolly" Getgood and the artwork was created by long-time collaborators Blacklake.
The first single, "Prosthetic" was released on 3 April 2020, along with a music video.

Background

Haken had been secretly writing the music for Virus and all the initial ideas were created back when they were writing Vector at the end of 2017. The album title generated surprise as it was announced during the COVID-19 pandemic, but Jennings said it was just coincidental. The singer also remarked that "whilst Virus can absolutely be enjoyed as a stand-alone work, it is thematically and conceptually linked with Vector.
The band comments:
Drummer Ray Hearne adds:
Guitarist Richard Henshall about the production:

Themes

The themes present in the album are institutional abuse, physical and mentally abusive relationships, anxiety, depression and suicidal tendencies.

Track listing

Personnel

Haken
Additional personnel
Production and design