Prosthetic (song)

''Virus'' is the sixth studio album by British progressive metal band Haken. It was released on 24 July 2020 (postponed three times, first from 5 June 2020, then from 19 June 2020 and finally from 10 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. It is the last album featuring keyboardist Diego Tejeida, who left the band the following year.

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

Reception

The album has received generally positive reviews from music critics. According to critic Thom Jurek it successfully challenges tropes from progressive metal, and lauds the harmonic and rhythmic complexities of the tracks.

Multiple critics also note the musical similarities between the album and the works of bands like Meshuggah and Dream Theater.

Personnel

Haken
* Ross Jennings – vocals
* Richard Henshall – guitars
* Charlie Griffiths – guitars
* Diego Tejeida – keyboards
* Conner Green – bass
* Raymond Hearne – drums
Additional personnel

* Pete Jones – additional keyboards on "Messiah Complex", drum programming on "The Strain", production and arrangement on "Only Stars"
* Pete Rinaldi – acoustic guitar on "Prosthetic" and "Messiah Complex"
* Adam "Nolly" Getgood – bass solo on "Messiah Complex"

Production and design

* Adam "Nolly" Getgood – mixing, drum engineering
* Anthony Leung – drum engineering
* James Stephenson – drum editing
* Chris McKenzie – assistant vocal engineering
* Ermin Hamidovic – mastering
* Blacklake – art and design
* Corey Meyers – logo
* Jeroen Moons – web design

Charts

References

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2020 albums
Haken (band) albums
Inside Out Music albums
Albums postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic