Aquarius is the debut studio album by the British progressive metal band Haken. Despite the band having released two previous demos, none of the multiple songs already recorded were re-released on this album. A 22-minute medley of the whole album, except for the song "Sun", was included in their live album L-1VE. Aquarius was largely written on the piano by guitarist/keyboardist Richard Henshall and then developed with contributions from the rest of the band. Its track lengths are typical of progressive rock and progressive metal, with the shortest track being just under 7 minutes and the longest being nearly 17. It is a concept album about a mermaid, discovered by a fisherman and sold to a circus, whose blood is the only thing capable of saving the human race from a flood resulting from global warming issues. She ultimately dies for mankind's sake. The album artwork was created by Dennis Sibeijn, who has also worked with 3, Job for a Cowboy, and See You Next Tuesday, among others. The Story Of The Album The Point Of No Return The album opens up with the song "The Point Of No Return". In the song we learn about a couple that is expecting a baby. In the birth of the child, the couple sees that the child is a mermaid and decides to throw the child into the sea. Stream In the song "Streams" we learn that the child from before is happy in the sea swimming with the fish. The song also uses harsh vocals to showcase the mermaid's insecurities. Aquarium The third song "Aquarium" opens from the perspective of a fisherman who finds the mermaid while fishing. The fisherman captures the mermaid and puts her in his Aquarium for people to see. In the chorus, the mermaid shouts at the fisherman to release her. In the middle of the song we find out that the fisherman and the mermaid fell in love despite what he had done to her. Eternal Rain The song "Eternal Rain" takes the story to a darker tone, An approaching storm is threatening to end humanity and scientists found a way to save humanity that involves the mermaid. The fisherman also releases the mermaid. Drowning In The Flood In the fifth song "Drowning In The Flood" the storm is coming and causes a wave of destruction. Scientists have found a way to save humanity at the