Soen maintains its progressive identity, showcasing depth and musicianship in their compelling compositions, as displayed in their recent album Memorial.
Soen's Memorial: A Progressive Masterpiece from Sweden's Heavy Prog Masters
In the heart of Stockholm, nestled in a Japanese-style house in the back garden, lead vocalist Joel Ekelöf of Soen sat down for an interview, surrounded by the warm glow of the Swedish sunshine. The occasion? The release of Soen's sixth album, Memorial, a concise collection of songs that could theoretically find radio success, yet remains blatantly as smart as it is easily listenable.
Soen's journey began in 2012, debuting as a novelty supergroup of heavy prog musicians. Martin Lopez, former member of Opeth, founded the band as a way to lead his own project and write his own music. Joakim Platbarzdis and Steve Di Giorgio were the first members to join Soen, with Ekelöf joining later due to Platbarzdis' admiration for his old band Willowtree.
Their first album, Cognitive, was a period of exploration for the band as they sought to find their unique sound. Soen's second album, Tellurian, legitimized them as a full-time pursuit and pushed the band into a prolific schedule of headline tours. By 2023, they had released Memorial, their sixth album.
The album opens with the song Sincere, a powerful track that features off-kilter, progressive drumming. The title track of Memorial frequently escalates in drama by having oddly-timed staccato riffs grow more and more intense. One of the standout tracks on the album is Vitals, the longest track, barely scratching the five-minute mark. Despite its brevity, it packs a punch, with its iron-clad rock riffing, Ekelöf's commanding vocals, and arena-ready choruses.
Incendiary dissipates from hulking metal into a section of Pink Floyd-like atmospherics during its bridge, showcasing Soen's ability to blend different styles seamlessly. The songs on Memorial are powerhouse calls to arms, embodying Soen's high-energy and bombastic form of prog.
Ekelöf, a fan of the albums that Peter Gabriel made after leaving Genesis, considers Memorial to be about recognizing the current state of the world and considering potential sources of conflict. He is proud of the album and considers it the best Soen album, expressing no plans for the musical future and preferring to enjoy the present. Ekelöf likens Soen's musical evolution to that of Genesis.
Soen were initially treated as a novelty due to the fame of their members, but the band knew they were serious and dedicated to the project. Since Tellurian, Soen have released four further albums over nine years while maintaining a rigorous touring lifestyle. Steve Di Giorgio amicably left the band to pursue other projects, and is now replaced by Oleksii Kobel. Cody Lee Ford and Lars Åhlund currently handle the guitar duties in Soen.
Ekelöf smoked a cigarette during the interview, a calm and contemplative moment amidst the excitement of the new album's release. Memorial is a testament to Soen's dedication to their craft and their ability to create music that is both intelligent and accessible. For fans of progressive rock and metal, Memorial is a must-listen.
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