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
Oscillation
Soen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Seasons last, more than thousand years
Suddenly my vision is clear,
consciousness into clarity
I can hear echoes from the sea
overwhelmed by tranquility
Radiance unfolds gradually,
Take on my burden, shake of my head
Chained by what I understand, won’t let me grow
New found sight opens up for each
step into similarity
Void is all coming into reach,
mistakable familiarity
Take on my burden, shake of my head
Chained by what I understand, won’t let me grow
Lay down my burden, take all my years away
Release me within emptiness and make me whole
There is a desire, there’s a need of finding faith,
I decide by painting it all in grey
Inner transformation turns a weakness to a strength,
through the times the spirit will remain
Tethered by restrictions of the way to be aware,
all is gone the hindrance will fade away
Fundamentals separate transcending into where
time that flows is neither night nor day
Every piece that we retrieve from covering our eyes,
dawns on us we cannot leave with everything inside
I will reach my hand and try to open up the sky,
on my part the reason why is stated in a lie.
The lyrics of Soen's "Oscillation" are a contemplation of the self and the world we live in. The opening lines describe a sense of stillness and timelessness that allows for greater clarity of thought - a sudden realization of self-awareness. The singer hears echoes from the sea, an overwhelming tranquility that brings with it a sense of healing. However, they are still held back by their understanding of the world around them, a chain that restricts their growth. The song describes a longing for release, a desire to let go of one's burdens and find wholeness within emptiness.
As the song progresses, the lyrics delve deeper into the themes of transformation, faith, and self-discovery. The singer describes the need to find faith but decides to "paint it all in grey," perhaps acknowledging that belief is not necessarily black and white. The transformation of one's weaknesses into strengths is a recurring theme, and the lyrics suggest that it is only through change and growth that one can truly transcend. The weight of restrictions and hindrances ultimately fades away, allowing for a realization that time itself is neither night nor day.
Overall, "Oscillation" is a song about accepting change and finding clarity within oneself. Its lyrics encourage us to let go of the chains that bind us, embrace transformation, and ultimately find a sense of peace.
Line by Line Meaning
Everything, it’s so quiet here
The singer is in an eerie, silent environment.
Seasons last, more than thousand years
Time seems to move slowly and the singer is experiencing a prolonged sense of seasons.
Suddenly my vision is clear,
The singer experiences a moment of clarity and awareness.
consciousness into clarity
The artist's consciousness becomes clear and focused.
I can hear echoes from the sea
The artist hears distant ocean sounds, creating a peaceful atmosphere.
overwhelmed by tranquility
The singer is engulfed in peacefulness.
Radiance unfolds gradually,
A gradual transformation is occurring, leading to a brighter future.
every wound now begins to heal
The artist is healing from past emotional pain and scars.
Take on my burden, shake of my head
The artist wants to let go of their burdens and negative thoughts.
Chained by what I understand, won’t let me grow
The artist realizes that their limited understanding of things is holding them back from personal growth.
New found sight opens up for each
The singer has gained new insights and perspectives.
step into similarity
The artist begins to see connections and similarities between seemingly different things.
Void is all coming into reach,
The singer approaches a state of emptiness and nothingness.
mistakable familiarity
The emptiness feels familiar, reminiscent of past experiences.
Lay down my burden, take all my years away
The singer wants to let go of their struggles and the weight of their past.
Release me within emptiness and make me whole
The artist desires a state of emptiness to bring a sense of wholeness and completeness.
There is a desire, there’s a need of finding faith,
The artist desires to find faith and meaning.
I decide by painting it all in grey
The singer chooses to view things in a neutral, gray area.
Inner transformation turns a weakness to a strength,
The singer has undergone an internal transformation, turning their weaknesses into strengths.
through the times the spirit will remain
Throughout life's trials and tribulations, the artist's spirit will persist.
Tethered by restrictions of the way to be aware,
The artist feels constrained by societal norms and expectations of awareness.
all is gone the hindrance will fade away
The artist believes that once these constraints are lifted, they will be free from hindrances and obstacles.
Fundamentals separate transcending into where
The basic principles and foundations of life create a pathway to transcendence.
time that flows is neither night nor day
The passing of time becomes indistinguishable, neither day nor night.
Every piece that we retrieve from covering our eyes,
The singer believes that they can learn from experiences that open their eyes.
dawns on us we cannot leave with everything inside
The realization that carrying everything inside is burdensome and impossible.
I will reach my hand and try to open up the sky,
The singer reaches for the impossible, seeking greater understanding and enlightenment.
on my part the reason why is stated in a lie.
The artist acknowledges that their motivations may not be entirely truthful.
Writer(s): Martin Lopez, Joel Ekeloef, Joakim Platbarzdis, Steve di Giorgio Copyright: Sony/ATV Music Publishing (Germany) Gmbh, Direction Publishing
Contributed by Muhammad F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.