Review SOEN “Reliance”

Swedish progressive metallers Soen are back with a new album. Titled “Reliance”, the band’s seventh studio album features ten new songs, starting with “Primal”. Not only is the song the album’s opener, it was also revealed as the lead single.

“Primal” is a superb song that reflects Soen’s full range of sounds. Starting with a heavy riff and a throbbing beat, the song also includes moments of fragility, with Joel Ekelöf’s vocals taking centre stage. Ekelöf’s style of singing is one of Soen’s key strengths. He can handle emotional moments as well as powerful ones, and his voice allows him to express a wide range of feelings. Lyrically, the song is about the current state of humanity, with technology being a divisive and exclusionary factor. The song also acts as a reminder to overcome these struggles and strive for a better future.

Soen know what they’re doing. From heavy riffs and explosive moments to soulful ones, like in “Huntress”, the five-piece band from Sweden creates fascinating songs. The tunes on “Reliance” shape a versatile metal album that captivates from the first listen, providing enough detail and twists to keep you entertained for a long time. There is much to explore, and the fact that the songs are kept to a running time of less than five minutes shows the band’s focus. The tracks on “Reliance” are defined by density rather than epic length. The beauty of this album comes from the passion for detail, as seen in the rather modern sounding “Drifter”, rather than the length of a song. “Drifter” is another example of Soen’s main formula, combining heaviness with atmospheric passages.

Each of the songs on “Reliance” is a treat for the ears. “Draconian” is another example of the band’s finesse and great sense of songwriting. It combines peaceful moments with fierce metal outbursts, creating an anthemic moment on the album. The music reflects many emotional twists, with a great melody acting as the connective element.

With “Vellichor”, we approach the end of “Reliance”. The closer is fully in line with the previous nine tracks, providing a stunning, touching soundscape. Soen knows how to evoke emotion through their music, which bridges thunderous moments like those in “Primal” and soulful gems like “Vellichor”.

With “Reliance”, Soen deliver a superb album that perfectly reflects the greatness of this progressive metal outfit. Musical skill and emotional intensity define “Reliance”, an album to which you can connect immediately, yet there is so much to explore that the thrill of the album will last for many more listens.