Soen is a Swedish

progressive metal Progressive metal (often shortened to prog metal) is a broad fusion music genre melding heavy metal music, heavy metal and progressive rock, combining the loud "aggression" and amplified electric guitar, guitar-driven sound of the former with t ...

band formed in 2010. The group consists of vocalist Joel Ekelöf, guitarist Cody Lee Ford, drummer

Martin Lopez Martin Walter López Cardozo (born 20 May 1978 in Stockholm) is a Swedish-Uruguayan drummer, currently a member and co-founder of progressive metal group Soen, but best known as the ex-drummer of Swedish progressive metal band Opeth and melod ...

and keyboardist Lars Åhlund. They are currently signed to Silver Lining and have released six studio albums. Their most recent studio album, ''

Memorial A memorial is an object or place which serves as a focus for the memory or the commemoration of something, usually an influential, deceased person or a historical, tragic event. Popular forms of memorials include landmark objects such as home ...

'', was released on 1 September 2023.

History

Initially formed in 2004, it was in May 2010 that the formation of Soen was announced. The original lineup consisted of former

Opeth Opeth is a Swedish progressive metal band from Stockholm, formed in 1990. The band incorporates folk music, folk, blues, classical music, classical, and jazz elements into its usually lengthy compositions, as well as strong influences from deat ...

drummer

, ex-

Death Death is the end of life; the irreversible cessation of all biological functions that sustain a living organism. Death eventually and inevitably occurs in all organisms. The remains of a former organism normally begin to decompose sh ...

Testament A testament is a document that the author has sworn to be true. In law it usually means last will and testament. Testament or The Testament can also refer to: Books * ''Testament'' (comic book), a 2005 comic book * ''Testament'', a thriller no ...

and

Sadus Sadus is an American thrash metal band from Antioch, California, active from 1985 to 2015, and reunited in 2017. Originally a quartet, the band's sound fuses thrash metal with death metal, featuring highly technical musicianship. They are know ...

bassist

Steve Di Giorgio Steve Di Giorgio (born November 7, 1967) is an American bass guitarist. He is known for his work with numerous heavy metal bands such as Sadus (of which he was a co-founder), Death, Testament, Megadeth, Sebastian Bach, Iced Earth, Autopsy, Ob ...

, Willowtree vocalist Joel Ekelöf and guitarist Joakim Platbarzdis. The group's first song, "Fraccions", was released on the band's official website in October 2010. Their first video, for the song "Savia", was posted on their Facebook page in February 2012. Their second video is a moody acoustic version of the song "Ideate". The band's third video is for the song "Delenda". Drummer Martin Lopez has described Soen's music as "melodic, heavy, intricate and very different than everything else." Their debut, ''

Cognitive Cognition is the "mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses". It encompasses all aspects of intellectual functions and processes such as: perception, attention, thought, ...

'', was released in February 2012 receiving positive critical reception. The members' technical proficiency was praised the most, though many reviewers noted extreme stylistic similarities to the music of

Tool A tool is an Physical object, object that can extend an individual's ability to modify features of the surrounding environment or help them accomplish a particular task. Although many Tool use by animals, animals use simple tools, only human bei ...

. Martin Lopez commented on the Tool similarity: "We are inspired by Tool but I consider them not only a band but a genre. Besides that, I really don't think there's anything to argue about, we make good music whoever it would remind you of. Some people tend to dislike rather than like and are looking for faults instead of seeing music for what it is, good or bad".Interview with Martin Lopez
by Grande-Rock.com retrieved on 15 March 2012. ''Cognitive'' was released on Spinefarm Records on 15 February 2012. The album was mixed by David Bottrill (

Coheed and Cambria Coheed and Cambria is an American progressive rock band from Nyack, New York, formed in 1995. It consists of Claudio Sanchez (vocals, guitars, keyboards), Travis Stever (guitars, vocals), Josh Eppard (drums, keyboards, backing vocals), and Za ...

Silverchair Silverchair was an Australian Rock music, rock band, which formed in 1992 as Innocent Criminals in Newcastle, New South Wales, with Daniel Johns on vocals and guitars, Ben Gillies on drums, and Chris Joannou on bass guitar. The group got thei ...

Smashing Pumpkins The Smashing Pumpkins (also simply known as Smashing Pumpkins) are an American alternative rock band formed in Chicago in 1988 by frontman and guitarist Billy Corgan, guitarist James Iha, bassist D'arcy Wretzky and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin. ...

Muse In ancient Greek religion and Greek mythology, mythology, the Muses (, ) were the Artistic inspiration, inspirational goddesses of literature, science, and the arts. They were considered the source of the knowledge embodied in the poetry, lyric p ...

, etc.) and mastered by João Carvalho. There is also a bonus track on the Japanese edition called "Writhen". Soen's second album, '' Tellurian'' was released on 4 November 2014. The album was produced by Platbarzdis, mixed again by David Bottrill and mastered at Bob Ludwig's Gateway setup in the U.S. by Adam Ayan. ''

Lykaia In Ancient Greece, the Lykaia () was an archaic festival with a secret ritual on the slopes of Mount Lykaion ("Wolf Mountain"), the tallest peak in Arcadia. The rituals and myths of this primitive rite of passage centered upon an ancient threat ...

'' is the third album released by Soen on 3 February 2017. The whole album was recorded using analog equipment. Their fourth album, '' Lotus'', was released on 1 February 2019. Their fifth album, '' Imperial'', was released on 29 January 2021. Their sixth album, ''

'', was released on 1 September 2023.

Band members

;Current *

Martín López Martin Walter López Cardozo (born 20 May 1978 in Stockholm) is a Swedish-Uruguayan drummer, currently a member and co-founder of progressive metal group Soen, but best known as the ex-drummer of Swedish progressive metal band Opeth and melod ...

– drums, percussion (2010–present) * Joel Ekelöf – lead vocals (2010–present) * Lars Åhlund – keyboards, guitars, percussion, backing vocals (2014–present) * Cody Lee Ford – guitars, backing vocals (2018–present) * Stefan Stenberg – bass (2013–2020, 2025–present) ;Former *

– bass (2010–2013) * Joakim Platbarzdis – guitars (2010–2015) * Marcus Jidell – guitars (2015–2018) * Oleksii 'Zlatoyar' Kobel – bass (2020–2025) ;Session * Christian Andolf – bass * Inti Oyarzún – bass Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

Live albums

Singles

* "Savia" (2012) * "Delenda" (2012) * "Tabula Rasa" (2014) * "The Words" (2014) * "Sectarian" (2016) * "Lucidity" (2017) * "Opal" (2017) * "Rival" (2018) * "Martyrs" (2018) * "Lotus" (2019) * "Antagonist" (2020) * "Monarch" (2020) * "Illusion" (2021) * "EMDR" (2021) * "Thurifer" (2021) * "Unbreakable" (2023) * "Memorial" (2023) * "Violence" (2023)

References

External links

* * {{Authority control Heavy metal supergroups Musical groups established in 2010 Swedish musical quartets Swedish progressive metal musical groups 2010 establishments in Sweden