The Mountain
Haken · 2013
69 min · 11 tracks · progressive metal
A breathtaking fusion of intricate melodies and heavy riffs, echoing both the grandeur and struggle of life's journey.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Path Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Cockroach King — This track stands out with its unique blend of whimsical lyrics and complex time signatures, encapsulating Haken's signature approach to storytelling through music.
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Falling Back to Earth — An epic, sprawling piece that showcases the band's dynamic range, juxtaposing serene moments with intense climaxes, reflecting the album's overarching themes of struggle and resilience.
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In Memoriam — This poignant track features emotive lyrics paired with haunting melodies, offering a reflective moment amidst the album's heavier compositions while highlighting Haken’s lyrical depth.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases intricate compositions and technical prowess, solidifying its place in progressive metal.
What we noticed
- The album features multiple tracks that exceed seven minutes, allowing for extended instrumental sections and complex arrangements.
- The use of contrasting sections within tracks, such as heavy riffs followed by melodic interludes, enhances the thematic depth of the music.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic journey with emotional peaks
- introspective beauty amidst heaviness
- wave-like pacing inviting exploration
- immersive storytelling through tracks
Maybe skip if you
- dislike lengthy, sprawling compositions
- prefer straightforward, instant gratification
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — The Mountain is often regarded as Haken's most ambitious work, showcasing their artistic growth.
- Themes
- life's journey· whimsical storytelling
- Career context
- Released in 2013, The Mountain is Haken's third studio album, following their critically acclaimed record Visions. At this point, the band was solidifying their reputation within the progressive metal scene, showcasing their technical prowess and ambitious songwriting after gaining attention from their previous releases.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Leprous· Between the Buried and Me· Symphony X
Tracklist
- 1 The Path Start here 2:46
- 2 Atlas Stone 7:33
- 3 Cockroach King 8:14
- 4 In Memoriam 4:17
- 5 Because It’s There 4:23
- 6 Falling Back to Earth 11:50
- 7 As Death Embraces 3:13
- 8 Pareidolia 10:50
- 9 Somebody 9:00
- 10 The Path Unbeaten 2:12
- 11 Nobody 4:53
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Bilateral
Leprous
Shares intricate compositions and a blend of heavy and melodic elements reflecting complex life themes.
The Parallax II: Future Sequence
Between the Buried and Me
Explores ambitious storytelling through progressive structures with emotional depth and dynamic contrasts.
The Odyssey
Symphony X
Combines heavy riffs with grand narratives, echoing life's epic journey through rich musical landscapes.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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