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
Penance
Soen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Naive and numb you feed the leech that will feast off your blood
You wear indifference as cover to hide the demise
Build up your walls, fill up the glass, let it bury your cries
You′re deceived by inner demons that were fed by your own hand
Shaded veils hide your perception, shooting nails into the heart
In the dream, you end and leave us
You'll awake without fear
And your thoughts, your whole, will roam free
Submersed in draining silence calmly inviting the curse
All debts and broken vows are fragments detached from our loss
The moonlight shone upon you staggering out in the cold
You tried to leave this journey forcing your kin to behold
Still deceived by inner demons that were fed by your own hand
Shaded veils hide your perception, shooting nails into your head
Still your mind, your soul will find peace
In the dream you end and leave us
You′ll awake without fear
And your thoughts, your whole, will roam free
Still your heart, your mind will find peace
In this life all ends, you'll leave us
In your sleep, careless, you're falling
See my hopes dissolving
The lyrics of Soen's song "Penance" deal with the theme of self-deception and closing oneself off from the world. The first stanza paints the picture of someone who is isolated and trying to stand on their own, but is still feeding the "leech" of their inner demons. This person hides behind indifference and builds up walls to avoid facing their own demise. However, their perception is clouded by shaded veils, and they continue to deceive themselves by feeding their own demons. The second stanza describes a person who has tried to leave their journey and has caused pain and loss to those around them. They are still plagued by inner demons and are shooting nails into their own head, creating their own suffering. The chorus encourages the person to still their mind and find peace in the dreamlike state where they can roam free without fear.
The song is a powerful commentary on the human tendency to deceive ourselves and avoid facing our own demons. The imagery of feeding a leech and shooting nails into one's own head is both disturbing and effective. The chorus provides a glimmer of hope, suggesting that peace can be found in stillness and dreams. Overall, "Penance" is a haunting and contemplative song that explores the complexities of the human psyche.
Line by Line Meaning
In silence, isolated, trying to stand on your own
You are alone, trying to make it on your own.
Naive and numb you feed the leech that will feast off your blood
You are too innocent and unaware, allowing someone to take advantage of you.
You wear indifference as cover to hide the demise
You pretend to not care in order to hide your downfall.
Build up your walls, fill up the glass, let it bury your cries
You isolate yourself and turn to alcohol to numb your pain.
You′re deceived by inner demons that were fed by your own hand
Your own actions have led to inner demons that deceive you.
Shaded veils hide your perception, shooting nails into the heart
You are blinded to reality, causing emotional pain.
Still your mind, your soul will find peace
Find inner peace and quiet your mind.
In the dream, you end and leave us
In your dreams, you find your end and leave this world.
You'll awake without fear
When you wake, you will be free of fear.
And your thoughts, your whole, will roam free
Your mind will be free to wander and be at peace.
Submersed in draining silence calmly inviting the curse
You are drained from the silence that invites negativity.
All debts and broken vows are fragments detached from our loss
Debts and broken promises don't matter after someone has passed away.
The moonlight shone upon you staggering out in the cold
You are stumbling out in the cold with the moonlight shining down on you.
You tried to leave this journey forcing your kin to behold
You tried to end your life, leaving your family to witness and deal with the aftermath.
Still deceived by inner demons that were fed by your own hand
Your inner demons still haunt you and were caused by your own actions.
Shaded veils hide your perception, shooting nails into your head
Your perception is clouded and causing you intense stress and pain.
Still your heart, your mind will find peace
Calm your emotions and find peace in your mind.
In this life all ends, you'll leave us
Life comes to an end, and you will leave this world.
In your sleep, careless, you're falling
You are carelessly falling into an eternal sleep.
See my hopes dissolving
The artist's hopes are falling apart before their eyes.
Writer(s): Lars Ahlund, Leif Stenberg, Martin Lopez, Joel Ekelof
Contributed by Lucas F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@d.spellerb.5650
I´m sitting here, listening to that chorus and asking myself how a human beeing can create something this beautiful...
@serdardoganay
The most underated band ever all over time
@melomandrumspassion3959
They grown very fast tho. As Soen ... Have all their albums. The progression is amazing.
@lordiblees
First 3:12 got me like ??? Damn... then 4:25 got me like holy mother of dope riffs man
Soen, you beauty
@joaorenatomendes2200
This album keeps getting better
@lkwalden7
It's really grown on me, and has gotten me into Soen. This is their best and most accessible work by a long shot.
@FeloMolina
damn… worth it to be alive just to lisen to this… <3
@FutileGrief
I feel you
@leportoz
Penance is, for now, the best song of the album for me. Every sounds are connected perfectly, this is incredible !!!
@marcoregoli648
agree
"Unfortunately"