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
Opal
Soen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lies a devotion for starting bargain
To turn your crown away in the mayhem
you pledged a legion through gold
in your heart
with smoking mirrors you rain
throwing your whole
into the fire
vengence cause
one day will fall my
tideway
Crushing all over here
come tether this moment of lies
until my fear remains
turn away
beware don't be led astray
by motions that turn our temple
to a house of dream
sleep up in
proclaiming lies like a guardless coward
until your senses are narrow
tideway
crushing all over here
come tether this moment of lies
until my fear remains
Turn away
Beware don't be led astray
By motions that turn our temple
To a house of dream
And i know
Yes i know
That all the little things
Are coming back to hurt you
Letting you down in the air
Colliding with your dreams
And burning all you still hope
turn away
don't be led astray
from false perceptions
no more lies
no more disguise
no false pretenders
stand your ground
don't wander away
don't fall apart
ask yourself
in trouble am i
my brothers cleaver
The lyrics of Soen's song "Opal" explore the themes of deception and betrayal. The first verse talks about how the singer is willing to make bargains and sacrifices, even betraying their own crown, to achieve their goals. However, they do so through the use of "smoking mirrors", which suggests that they are not being honest about their true intentions. The chorus warns against falling prey to these deceptions and turning away from false perceptions.
The second verse continues with these themes, describing how the singer proclaims lies "like a guardless coward" and chastising them for being narrow-minded. The bridge of the song acknowledges that the singer's actions will have consequences, and all the little things that they have done will come back to haunt them. The final chorus urges the listener to stand their ground and not fall apart in times of trouble.
Overall, the lyrics of "Opal" encourage listeners to be truthful and authentic in their actions and relationships, to avoid being led astray by false perceptions, and to take responsibility for the consequences of their actions.
Line by Line Meaning
In your heart
Deep within you
Lies a devotion for starting bargain
You have a strong desire to bargain and negotiate
To turn your crown away in the mayhem
You would rather renounce your power and authority in chaos
you pledged a legion through gold
You made a promise to an army of supporters by offering them riches
in your heart
Deep within you
with smoking mirrors you rain
You deceive others with tricks and illusions
time will show
Eventually, the future will reveal
throwing your whole into the fire
Risking everything you have
vengence cause
Seeking revenge
one day will fall my
The person who seeks revenge will eventually fail
tideway
The flow of time
Crushing all over here
Destroying everything in its path
come tether this moment of lies
Stop living a life based on falsehoods
until my fear remains
Until I become afraid again
turn away
Reject what is not true
beware don't be led astray
Be cautious and do not be misled
by motions that turn our temple
By actions that damage what we believe in
to a house of dream
To a world of illusions
sleep up in
Lies hidden within
proclaiming lies like a guardless coward
Speaking falsehoods without regard for the consequences
until your senses are narrow
Until you become blinded by your own deceit
And i know
I'm aware
Yes i know
I'm certain
That all the little things
The small details
Are coming back to hurt you
Will cause harm in the end
Letting you down in the air
Disappointing you unexpectedly
Colliding with your dreams
Crashing into your aspirations
And burning all you still hope
Destroying your remaining optimism
don't be led astray
Do not be deceived
from false perceptions
From misconceptions
no more lies
Stop telling falsehoods
no more disguise
Stop hiding behind a facade
no false pretenders
No more fake people
stand your ground
Be firm in your beliefs
don't wander away
Do not stray
don't fall apart
Do not break down
ask yourself
Question yourself
in trouble am i
Am I in a difficult situation?
my brothers cleaver
My friend's help
Writer(s): Lars Ahlund, Martin Lopez, Joel Ekelof, Leif Stenberg, Marcus Jidell
Contributed by Molly P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ikramesamih4773
[Verse 1]
In your heart lies a devotion for starting pyres
To drown your brother within the mire
You pledged allegiance to gold
[Verse 2]
In your art, your words laid out in a vacuous manner
The mind is there but the soul is absent
With smoke and mirrors you reign
[Pre-Chorus]
Time will show
Throwing your own
Into the fire
Vengeance comes
One day we'll form a...
[Chorus 1]
Tidal wave
Come rushing all over and
Come tear down this wall of lies until nothing remains
Turn away, beware don't be led astray
By vultures that turn our temple to a house of trade
[Verse 3]
Sleeper kin
A popinjay with a gaudy plumage
Proclaiming lies like a gutless coward
Until your senses are numb
[Guitar Solo]
[Chorus 1]
Tidal wave
Come rushing all over and
Come tear down this wall of lies until nothing remains
Turn away, beware don't be led astray
By vultures that turn our temple to a house of trade
[Bridge]
And I know
Yes I know
That all this little things
Are coming back to haunt you
They'll tear you down in the end
Colliding with your dreams
And burning all you stand for
[Instrumental]
[Chorus 2]
Turn away, don't be led astray
From false perceptions
No more lies, no more disguise
No false pretenders
[Outro]
Stand your ground
Don't wander away
Don't fall apart
Ask yourself, in trouble
Am I my brother's keeper
@mehdisalehi1981
I accidentally, TOTALLY ACCIDENTALLY, heard one song of SOEN between two phone calls on my earphones. Really dont know how it came up. Now its my day and night. This is the music I was searching for all my life.
@rayjay6900
Me to
@whynotruhi
finally, everything we love in a single band!! great riffs, powerful vocals, excellent transitions and the great Martin Lopez. Long live SOEN.
@jeshram
mate,just discovered Soen while waiting for tool. Great band! who is Martin Lopez?
@shapeshifter7676
@@jeshram Ex Opeth drummer, who later formed Soen
@nenissaK
FFF Lopez, I had no clue. No wonder the drum tracks sound so good
@Walamonga1313
You don't like amazing solos?
@roniback715
Konačno rival Toolu
@emanuelgermangomez2357
One day we'll form a tidal wave of listeners of Soen.
@Kyrus92
ahhaha <3