Haken – The Mountain

I’d recommend reading this along with listening to the album, following it song by song. Bear in mind this is simply my interpretation.

Haken’s third album marks a shift in their sound. Where their first two were quirky and fun with clear influence from Dream Theater, The Mountain is a more matured and refined sound. There is proof of this in the fact that it’s not got a wild story about a mermaid or jumping through people’s dreams, but rather about life.

The Mountain takes a look at the journey everyone takes in their lifetimes, and the challenges that come with it. We see optimistic and pessimistic viewpoints on this throughout the album. The protagonist of this album, in many ways, is us. You. Go into this with that in mind. Get your finger on the play button and we’ll begin.

The Path

Life is a gift, and we mustn’t waste it. We must endure the challenges that face us, and although it may at times seem fruitless, show love in the face of adversity. Everyone forges their own path through life, and it’s our decision as to what form it takes.

Atlas Stone

In life, it can sometimes feel as though we’re carrying an overwhelming weight. Emotions such as heartbreak come to everyone, but it feels like punishment. These feelings could drive someone to spend time in solitude. Through all of this, however, it’s important not to feel sorry for yourself or give up on fighting through life, whatever it may throw at you.

There is salvation on the other side of the climb. For a religious person this is the afterlife, but it can take any form that seems suitable. Although it may seem as though life will not improve, we must make our way through these periods and reach the other side. Doubt may creep into the mind, but hope must prevail.

Cockroach King

The cockroach, in this case, represents money and greed. Riches may bring temporary happiness, but not true contentment – it’s a trap that fools fall for. Many people are desperate to build wealth, but this is in many ways ignorant. You might waste your life chasing money, but at the end of it realise it hasn’t made you any happier. You may own everything you ever wanted, but you will feel empty. It’s important not to fall into this trap, and to live free of greed.

In Memoriam

Growing old is scary. The thought of being close to death is terrifying, and with age comes a deterioration of mind and body. Memory falters and muscles ache. We medicate to try and alleviate this, but it’s a temporary solution. In the end we must accept our fate and hope we lived a life worth being proud of. This is a hard truth to swallow.

Because It’s There

A rallying cry for those who are struggling in their life. We mustn’t give up, and can’t be afraid of what’s ahead. We must persevere through it all, with hope in our hearts.

Falling Back to Earth

Many times in life we will cry out for help, and no one will come. This may lead people to hold grudges against the people that they were ignored by. In the short term, this could lead a person to fight even harder and prove their worth as a way of getting back at those people. You might make progress, but at a certain point you will fall back to where you started. It’s important not to mistake ignorance for ambition. Work with people and don’t hold grudges, and the climb up the mountain will become a little bit easier. What’s the point in fighting if nothing comes of it?

As Death Embraces

Someone close to the protagonist dies. Where they were once full of life, there is now nothing. Everything is grey, and a depression clouds his mind. This process of grieving is something we must all go through in our lives.

Pareidolia

The system on which we base our entire lives is fragile, whether this be a religion or otherwise. When this system is proven not to be true in a person’s mind, it can have drastic effects. If everything you live by disappears, where do we go from there?

None of this matters. Even without a system on which to base your life, it will carry on regardless. We’re one tiny piece of the universe, and we need to remember this. Although this thought can bring fear and existential dread, it can also be freeing. Live your life however you want, and be at peace knowing it will end as it started. The process of realising this is painful, but on the other side of it could be a peaceful life without fear or stress.

Somebody

When death comes, we might wish we had another chance at life so we could make the most of it. Chasing riches and worrying about growing old could be a waste of time, and so on our deathbed we may regret some decisions we’ve made. However, as all things must, life ends. The meaning of life is to be somebody, and to do this we must learn to concentrate on what’s really important. Not money or revenge, but relationships, hope and peace.

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This one took me a while. It’s much deeper than Aquarius or Visions, and I wanted to make sure I emphasised the importance of some of the topics discussed on The Mountain. Remember – you’re the protagonist of this album.

– Kane