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
Koniskas
Soen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
silently confound
what inheres in
me but is not mine.
Cause I believe in something other
than what's written on the walls.
How we are murdered for the pieces
that are rendering it all.
something to believe in.
Now I'm breathing in the water
that you have parted in the past.
You are walking like your father
and you see it through his eyes.
I've been reading all your markings
you have always tried to hide.
Set aside your feelings,
like you've seen them locked inside.
Unconditionally so steadfast,
how a mother's always right.
And I can feel it in our weakness
we have gained since we were born.
Another tower of strength to leave you
as all the reasons left recede.
And I know, I know
we are walking like were falling,
still there is something you can't see.
Silence comes your way.
Silence come,
silence come.
While we can sense the missing order,
what you created leads you on.
The machine we helped you forging
tells you to wait until it's gone.
You're making all the right decisions
while you are not awake.
Growing from a whisper
the voice inside is still restrained.
And I can see it grow our weakness
into the undefinable.
How we are searching through the debris
now from the fear of being deceived.
And I know, I know.
We are walking like we're falling,
still there is something we can't see.
And I know, I know that
you face a reverence to break through.
To have the freedom of your will.
Those walls once raised by greed
stand tall while we stand still.
Pay no heed,
seized by war.
Hand away our lives and thus
we can spiral on.
The lyrics to Soen's song Koniskas are a reflection on the human condition, exploring the concept of inherited traits and the struggle to define oneself against societal and familial expectations. The writer feels conflicted, acknowledging that they possess traits that are not truly their own and that they are conditioned to follow patterns set before them. They yearn for something greater than the superficial beliefs that are inscribed on the walls of society. The concept is repeated throughout the song, that we are "walking like we're falling," implying that we are all struggling to find our balance in the world.
The writer notes that there is something within all of us that we cannot see, a part of us that is restrained, growing from a whisper into the undefinable. This is likely a commentary on the human subconscious, indicating that there is a hidden part of us that plays a significant role in shaping who we are. The writer seems to suggest that this part of us could hold the key to breaking free of the chains of societal expectations and inheritance. The concept of silence also plays a role in the song, suggesting that there is something to be learned from the stillness and emptiness that this absence creates.
Overall, Koniskas is a contemplation on the human experience, delving deep into the concept of inherited traits and societal conditioning. It's an exploration of the inner self, a quest to define oneself beyond the constraints of the world around us.
Line by Line Meaning
I silently confound
I struggle internally with something
what inheres in me but is not mine.
a feeling or attribute within me that I do not identify with
Cause I believe in something other
Because I have a belief that differs from the commonly accepted one
than what's written on the walls.
than what is presented or imposed by society or authority
How we are murdered for the pieces
The ways in which people suffer for their individuality or uniqueness
that are rendering it all.
that make life difficult or unbearable
Now your bringing in the kindle lights,
You are providing hope or inspiration
something to believe in.
a cause or idea to give meaning or purpose
Now I'm breathing in the water
I am immersed in a situation or feeling
that you have parted in the past.
that you have overcome or moved beyond in the past
You are walking like your father
You are behaving or thinking like your parent
and you see it through his eyes.
Your perspective is influenced by your parental figure
I've been reading all your markings
I have been observing and analyzing your behavior
you have always tried to hide.
that you choose to keep hidden or suppressed
Set aside your feelings,
Ignore or suppress your emotions
like you've seen them locked inside.
As if you've observed the emotional suppression in others
Unconditionally so steadfast,
Consistently and without exception committed
how a mother's always right.
The idea that a mother's intuition or wisdom is always correct
And I can feel it in our weakness
I can sense the vulnerability or fragility in us
we have gained since we were born.
that has developed since our birth
Another tower of strength to leave you
Another source of support or inspiration to abandon
as all the reasons left recede.
As all the justifications or explanations disappear
And I know, I know
I am certain
we are walking like were falling,
We are progressing hesitantly or with uncertainty
still there is something you can't see.
There is something that you are unaware of
Silence comes your way.
A state of quiet or calm approaches you
Silence come,
Invitation for silence or peace to arrive
silence come.
Repeated invitation for silence or peace to arrive
While we can sense the missing order,
Although we can detect the lack of structure or coherence
what you created leads you on.
The creation or situation that you have brought about has consequences
The machine we helped you forging
The system or process that we have contributed to creating
tells you to wait until it's gone.
Instructs or advises you to be patient until the problem is resolved
You're making all the right decisions
You are making choices that seem correct or appropriate
while you are not awake.
While you are unaware or oblivious to certain aspects
Growing from a whisper
Developing gradually or quietly
the voice inside is still restrained.
The internal voice or instinct is still suppressed
And I can see it grow our weakness
And I can see that it is contributing to our vulnerability
into the undefinable.
Developing into something that cannot be easily described or explained
How we are searching through the debris
How we are looking for answers or solutions amidst the aftermath
now from the fear of being deceived.
Because of the concern of being misled or tricked
And I know, I know.
I am certain
We are walking like we're falling,
We are progressing hesitantly or with uncertainty
still there is something we can't see.
There is something that we are unaware of
And I know, I know that
I am certain that
you face a reverence to break through.
You face a challenging obstacle to overcome
To have the freedom of your will.
To have the ability to make your own choices and decisions
Those walls once raised by greed
Those barriers constructed because of selfishness
stand tall while we stand still.
Remain in place while we remain inactive or stagnant
Pay no heed,
Ignore or disregard
seized by war.
Overwhelmed or consumed by conflict or challenge
Hand away our lives and thus
Give up control or responsibility for our lives
we can spiral on.
Continue to descend or decline in a negative direction
Contributed by Riley E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.