On May 28, 2010, the formation of Soen was announced, its lineup consisting of former Opeth drummer Martin Lopez, ex-Death, Testament and Sadus bassist Steve DiGiorgio, Willowtree vocalist Joel Ekelöf and guitarist Kim Platbarzdis. The group's first song, "Fraccions", was released on the band's official website on October 2010. Their first video, for the song "Savia", was posted on their Facebook page on 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, was released in February 2012 to positive critical reception, the members' technical proficiency receiving most praise, though many reviewers noted extreme stylistic similarities to the music of Tool.
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".
Cognitive was released on Spinefarm records on February 15, 2012. The album was mixed by David Bottrill (Tool, Coheed and Cambria, Silverchair, The Smashing Pumpkins, Muse etc.) and mastered by João Carvalho. There's also a bonus track on the Japanese edition called “Writhen”.
As of their fifth album "Imperial", released in 2021, the band members are:
Oleksii "Zlatoyar" Kobel – Bass
Cody Ford – Guitar
Lars Åhlund – Keys, guitar
Joel Ekelöf – Vocals
Martin Lopez – Drums, percussion
Fraccions
Soen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Separate spirit, disconnect every end
Breeding a thought, relieving the soul I’m growing
Fragments of hope awake inside me
Consciousness failed, the path to control eroding
Originate repressive measures
I’m the one the parasite’s sucking on
Disconnect every end
Unnecessary meaningless device
thought controlled, programmed
Balanced walk on the line
Radiant light, expansive and bright, is covered
Swallow the lie, let them take over
Greed is a horde that comes like a storm and conquers
strongly implying unfair methods
I’m the one the parasite’s sucking on, you’re the one the parasite’s sucking on.
I have more than you
I have more than you, I have more than you
I need a lot to care for; I need a lot to slow me down
I have more than you, I have more than you
I need a lot to care for; I need a lot to hold you down
I will stand when things burn down
Never fought harder than this, I built my temple on this
Pushing, fighting, bleeding, taking, giving
Every second closer to the ceiling
I will assemble all this, down to the last broken piece
Tension in the atmosphere is lower, gravity is slowly taking over.
The lyrics of Soen's song Fraccions touch on themes such as conformity, greed and control. From the outset, the lyrics evoke a sense of mechanization and conformity through "mechanized patterns, fed since birth method" and "thought controlled, programmed". The song seems to be describing a dystopian world where people's souls are disconnected and fragmented, leading to a failed consciousness and eroding control. The lyrics suggest that this conformity and control is driven by a parasitic force that sucks the individual and collective spirit of humanity.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the point that everyone is a victim of this parasitic force, as it sucks on everyone equally. The mention of "greed is a horde that comes like a storm and conquers" highlights the notion that this force is driven by greed, and it often takes an unfair and unethical course of action. The lyrics suggest that the solution to this conformity and control is found in individual resistance and resilience. One can stand up against this force and build his/her own temple; fight, bleed and take until everything seems to fall into place.
Overall, Fraccions is a song that speaks to the struggles of conformity, control, and parasitic greed. The lyrics are evident in highlighting the dystopian world and the parasitic force that seeks to crush individuality and choke creativity. However, the song highlights the need for resilience and individuality as strategies for overcoming these suffocating conditions.
Line by Line Meaning
Mechanized patterns, fed since birth method
From a young age, we are taught to conform and follow structured routines.
Separate spirit, disconnect every end
This structure can lead to a disconnect from our true selves and from others.
Breeding a thought, relieving the soul I’m growing
Trying to find inner peace and enlightenment in a world that values conformity.
Fragments of hope awake inside me
Despite the challenges, there is still a glimmer of hope and optimism.
Consciousness failed, the path to control eroding
Realizing the detrimental effects of blindly following societal norms and expectations.
Originate repressive measures
These societal structures are often repressive and harmful to individual growth and freedom.
Unnecessary meaningless device
The mechanisms put in place to control and shape society are ultimately meaningless and unnecessary.
Thought controlled, programmed
People are taught to follow a certain way of thinking and are often manipulated to do so.
Balanced walk on the line
There is a constant pressure to conform and not deviate from the norm.
Radiant light, expansive and bright, is covered
Individual potential and creativity is often suppressed by societal expectations and structures.
Swallow the lie, let them take over
People are often deceived and manipulated to follow certain beliefs and systems of control.
Greed is a horde that comes like a storm and conquers
Unfair and selfish actions can have destructive and far-reaching consequences.
I have more than you
Society often places value on material possessions and wealth, creating a culture of competition and inequality.
I need a lot to care for; I need a lot to slow me down
People often use material possessions and distractions as a coping mechanism to deal with the pressures and ills of society.
I will stand when things burn down
Even in the face of destruction and chaos, there is still resilience and determination to persevere.
Never fought harder than this, I built my temple on this
Despite the difficult circumstances, there is still personal growth and strength in the face of adversity.
Pushing, fighting, bleeding, taking, giving
Life is a constant struggle, with both successes and hardships.
Every second closer to the ceiling
Time is finite and there is a sense of urgency to make the most of it before it's too late.
I will assemble all this, down to the last broken piece
Despite the challenges and brokenness, there is still a determination to gather the pieces and rebuild.
Tension in the atmosphere is lower, gravity is slowly taking over
As time passes and things change, there is a sense of calm and acceptance that comes with it.
Contributed by Jake H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.