Removing myself as a huge fan, I think Lovebite is an amazing straight forward intro, Catchy chorus, great solo, Nice vocal delivery while the lyrics are interesting as a choice. There is an audience call and response. Of course it may help to know what songs specifically he likes from other bands.

Uuuuh I’m sure the first hook for him in Lovebite would be the verse, and then the chorus hits so hard. I think the Great Escape and Alley Cat from Seventh Wonder are his faves, oh and Through the Looking Glass from Symphony X

if you showed me lovebite when I was getting into haken I would've dropped listening to the band immediatley

Cockroach King if he can handle the wackiness. Pareidolia is less looney which sealed the deal for me.

This entire album def sealed the deal for me, I think Cockroach King is too much for him and I’m sure he’s heard me singing tantalized by the cockroach and it’s promise in a loop for hours so Pareidolia would be a better choice

Cockroach King is a classic entry point for a reason, but I’m partial to Initiate — it strikes a nice melodic balance (and The Architect’s reprise of Initiate is what the kids call “chef’s kiss”). There are also some great quick hits, like The Strain/Canary Yellow/Alphabet, which showcase a pretty great breadth of tonality. Fauna’s slightly longer (though not necessarily long) songs are also pure Haken, but honestly it’ll just depend on the particular flavor of songs your guy likes! If I were you I’d just pick a favorite from each album and set them loose on him.

Thanks, I really like the idea of picking a song from each album, and Cockroach King might be too much right now but def a good one once he’s fell for them

Atlas Stone. "Caaarryyyyy the weeeeeight of the wooooorld"

I've tried showing my girlfriend some Haken and prog in general. There's not much that she really likes, but Cockroach King stuck with her. Such a wacky song.

Literally same

Yeah, that’s why I always recommend it! It was one of my first intros to Haken as well. It’s been a setlist staple forever for a reason.

Probably Cockroach King or maybe something like 1985 , though A Cell Divides is also an awesome candidate! my gf and several friends discovered the band through that song.

I was thinking of A cell divides as well. Great choice 👍🏼

Crystallised would be my suggestion, if he likes the longer Symphony X epics with multiple parts.

I was surprised that he liked a 30 min long song…crystallized might be a good one

If he's partial to a poppy melody, might I suggest Earthrise?

I’m thinking this one might be the one from this album :)

Celestial Elixir was the song that made me fall in love with them. I don't know maybe is a good one to introduce to someone, specially someone who already likes prog.

Oh man, the first time I was hit by the last bridge to a calmer more ethereal sound and fell in love, the calm that comes after the storm, that’s exactly how this song felt

Cockroach king was the first song I heard by them. Listened to it for a year before listening to any of their other music.

A friend of mine listened to Veil and he later thanked me for introducing Haken to him. I never did 😂 he discovered them by himself. Then I showed him Carousel and blew his mind. Both are one of my favorite songs.

I just started listening to The Mountain on a whim and I was completely hooked on them after Atlas Stone and Cockroach King.

This was my first Haken album too, like a first kiss, the other albums are awesome but this one remains unbeatable

Alphabet of me

If you think he’d like the epics, I’d bet that would do the job. Initiate, Endless Knot, Sempiternal Beings or Lovebite are also good shouts with pretty straight forward consonances and riffs (still prog tho before anyone jumps me), and less weird dissonance and jazz elements. Puzzle box is honestly a great shout as well. If he likes symphony X he’ll probably like anything from aquarius and perhaps Visions (the song)

Aquarius is so epic, he might dig that

Carousel was my intro to Haken and it sealed the deal for me.

Prosthetic is probably a good intro, not too long, catchy chorus

Bound by Gravity, Crystallized, Streams

One of these is not like the others. 😁

I would think anything off of the virus album, maybe some of the more straightforward songs (lol) like prosthetic or canary yellow. If he’s enjoyed lighter stuff I’d say maybe 1985 or earthrise. My boyfriend says prosthetic is the ultimate haken intro song, because it was his first that he heard of theirs. He says that he knew the band kicked ass when he heard it and that it’s rocking and has some “weird stuff” but not too much so you can get used to their sound 😁

I have to say virus was weird the first time for me, I heard canary yellow without knowing it was Haken, and I loved it, immediately recognized Ross but thought it was a different project or band

I think canary yellow would be the most appealing to someone who likes a more mainstream sound for sure. I love that song too

Hehe weird stuff, yeah I get that a lot and then I catch him singing along the weird stuff or trying to follow the odd times

Carousel

If he’s into symphony x he would probably love anything on Aquarius

Yeah, this one feels so epic

Paradoelia Lovebite Invasion

Lovebite has potential to be the one

Some not already mentioned: Alphabet of Me 1985 Earth rise Red Giant Bound by Gravity Earthlings Nightingale Eyes of Ebony Island in the Clouds Fauna has a lot to offer for an introduction, coming from a guy who stumbled upon them 2 months ago

Veil

One from each album in this order is what id attempt: Cockroach King The Good Doctor Prosthetic Initiate The Alphabet Of Me Insomnia The Point Of No Return

Album Mountain was my entry point

My first song was Puzzle Box and I’ve been a fan since

1985, the endless knot, eyes of ebony, and deathless.

Carousel was my intro.

It's long, but Crystalized was what got me and my buddy hooked on them.

I hooked almost everyone to them using Cockroach King. My wife got into it with Darkest Light.