Review Summary: Lost in a dream
Few modern progressive metal bands have been as consistently inventive as lovable English goofballs Haken. Across albums like
The Mountain,
Virus and
Fauna, they've built a name on balancing technical brilliance with memorable songwriting, all while largely avoiding many tired tropes that dominate modern prog metal. Following
Fauna however, the band have faced perhaps the biggest challenge of their career. In January 2026, longtime guitarist Charlie Griffiths and bassist Conner Green both departed the band, leaving Haken to continue as a foursome while relying on guest bassists during these sessions. For a band whose sound has always relied on layers of interlocking guitars, melodic bass work and intricate arrangements, losing two core members has inevitably created something of an identity crisis.
In A Fever Dream feels like a bridge between eras rather than a definitive new chapter. It's a holdover before their next full-length, but also experiments in discovering how Haken will function as a leaner unit. Unsurprisingly, the missing instrumentation is noticeable. The band's sound is thinner, less layered and noticeably less technical than we're used to, and throughout this EP you can hear them searching for ways to compensate.
Most of these tracks clock in at around four minutes rather than Haken's usual lengthier multi-stage compositions, shaving away the band's more eccentric and progressive ideas in favour of a more straight forward, compressed approach. Unfortunately, this also comes with an over-reliance on generic down-tuned, modern djent riffs. It's an odd direction for Haken, because one of the things that always separated them from the wider prog metal scene was their refusal to lean too heavily on those clichés. Similarly, 'In A Fever Dream' and 'Lotus' both introduce harsh screams from Ross Jennings, seemingly as another way of injecting heaviness and darkness into the band's now leaner sound. Ross's screams are perfectly fine, but they're not really his strength and - more importantly - the harsh vocals are another modern prog metal trope that Haken previously managed to avoid, making the shift feel less like natural evolution and more like compensation. Here, Haken occasionally sound like they're blending into the crowd rather than standing above it.
Thankfully, Haken's greatest strength has never been technicality alone, but their songwriting. Even with the streamlined arrangements, the band still have a knack for writing memorable melodies and engaging songs.'Delirium' is the standout of the heavier songs, driven by huge vocal harmonies from Ross, chunky riffs, catchy grooves and some skittering electronics. 'Bleeding Sky' is maybe my favourite track here, lead by a gorgeous clean guitar tone and melody that leads into more spacious arrangements. Rather than trying to fill every gap left by the departing members, it embraces space and lets the remaining instruments breathe, resulting in one of the most dynamic songs here.
The band continue experimenting elsewhere. 'Eclipsed By You' leans heavily into electronic and digital components, and while Ross delivers another set of excellent melodies as the song develops, some of the vocal effects here and on 'Bleeding Sky' are jarring and unnecessary. The closing 'Lotus' ends the EP on a warmer note, featuring a lovely piano passage before leading into great layered vocal harmonies during its reprise, reminding you just how good Haken can be when they trust in themselves and play to their strengths.
This is easily the least Haken-y Haken release of the band's career, lacking much of their wackiness and charm that made them unique. Yet despite its shortcomings,
In A Fever Dream remains an enjoyable listen because they are simply talented musicians who understand melody, rhythm and songcraft. While this transitional period exposes some uncertainty about the band's new identity, musically it does succeed in creating a dream-like vibe, and there are enough strong songs here to leave fans optimistic rather than worried.
This may not be the Haken we've come to know over the last sixteen years, but it also doesn't feel like a finished outcome. It feels like a band rebuilding after losing two key members, testing ideas and learning how to write with a smaller shape. Fans will likely miss some of what made Haken so distinctive, but there's enough quality here to suggest they'll eventually find their footing again when the next full-length arrives.
SCORE: ★★★1/2
HIGHLIGHTS: Delirium, Bleeding Sky, Lotus
FFO: Leprous, Dream Theater, Karnivool
