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
Savia
Soen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am not deciding the results
Sanctioned through the principles
Autonomously blessed
Moving close to get a clearer view
Mystery's the key to all religion
Power is the key to every war
Time has taught me not to wait
Eons of our past won't be returned
I was there to recognise the victim
Cold and dry another has been killed
Blundered by the greed of man
Aftermath descends
Our time is slotting out of reach
I don't even want to try
To become the one
That will save your halo
Everything that I deny
Every time that I lied
Aware of our failure
I'm not gonna follow your decision
It is the position I retain
Everything once born will end
Ushers be our name
Bury me to set me free of shame
This is not the dust that we once came from
What we are is how we will return
The sun is punishing our land
Salt turns into sand
What we had in common has been cursed
I try not to hear
The guilt fading in me
You are the sign
Harvesting what is not yours
Soon won't be there any more
There's a new day
What we should share is noticed
What we inherited
The erasure of a life
Once so vital
Now dissected and dry
Throw the first stone
Then hide your hand
While pursuing your dream
Poisoning the essence of it all
I don't even want to try
To become the one
That will save your halo
In Soen's song Savia, the singer reflects on their experiences and observations through time, contemplating the nature of religion, power, and war. The first stanza suggests a humble attitude, acknowledging the limits of their understanding and control. The second verse juxtaposes religion and war as different paths to power, but both having caused enormous struggle and destruction throughout history. The singer then takes a more assertive tone, declaring their determination to take what is theirs and not wait for others to decide. The third verse portrays a darker image of human greed, having caused victimization and death. With "our time" running out, the singer accepts that they cannot save everyone or become a savior figure. The chorus repeats the phrase "I don't even want to try/ To become the one/ That will save your halo," emphasizing the singer's skepticism towards idealizing or idolizing anyone as perfect.
Line by Line Meaning
I am not aware of all the reasons
I am not fully knowledgeable of all the underlying factors
I am not deciding the results
I do not make the final outcomes
Sanctioned through the principles
Authorized by the fundamental beliefs
Autonomously blessed
Privileged in a way that is self-directed
Moving close to get a clearer view
Approaching nearer for a better perception
Mystery's the key to all religion
Enigma is the core of all religions
Power is the key to every war
Dominance is the principal factor in every conflict
Time has taught me not to wait
Experience has shown me not to delay
What is mine I'll take
What belongs to me, I shall claim
Eons of our past won't be returned
The ages of our past cannot be retrieved
I was there to recognise the victim
I was present to identify the sufferer
Cold and dry another has been killed
Frigid and arid yet another has been slain
Blundered by the greed of man
Mistaken by the avarice of humanity
Aftermath descends
The aftermath arrives
Our time is slotting out of reach
Our time is gradually slipping away
I don't even want to try
I do not even wish to attempt
To become the one
To be the person
That will save your halo
Who will preserve your honor
Everything that I deny
All the things that I refuse
Every time that I lied
Each time that I deceived
Aware of our failure
Cognizant of our lack of success
I'm not gonna follow your decision
I will not abide by your choice
It is the position I retain
It is the stance I uphold
Everything once born will end
All that is created will eventually cease
Ushers be our name
We are the bringers
Bury me to set me free of shame
Entomb me to liberate me from my disgrace
This is not the dust that we once came from
Our origin was not from this particular dust
What we are is how we will return
Our eventual state is determined by our current state
The sun is punishing our land
The sun is penalizing our terrain
Salt turns into sand
Salt transforms into granules
What we had in common has been cursed
What we shared has been jinxed
I try not to hear
I endeavor not to listen
The guilt fading in me
The remorse vanishing within me
You are the sign
You are the indication
Harvesting what is not yours
Collecting what does not belong to you
Soon won't be there any more
It will not be present for much longer
There's a new day
A new day has arrived
What we should share is noticed
What we ought to divide is recognized
What we inherited
What has been bequeathed to us
The erasure of a life
The obliteration of a existence
Once so vital
At one point so full of life
Now dissected and dry
Now split apart and dried up
Throw the first stone
Cast the initial accusation
Then hide your hand
Then conceal your involvement
While pursuing your dream
While chasing your aspiration
Poisoning the essence of it all
Tainting the very core of everything
I don't even want to try
I do not even wish to attempt
To become the one
To be the person
That will save your halo
Who will preserve your honor
Writer(s): Martin Lopez, Joel Ekeloef, Joakim Platbarzdis, Steve di Giorgio Copyright: Sony/ATV Music Publishing (Germany) Gmbh, Direction Publishing
Contributed by Colton O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@SweetestOne27
"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." -Martin Lopez
@ginsuma1402
SweetestOne27 I've always thought of Tool as "Shamanic Rock"
@FalloutWanderer-uq5sh
I met Martin Lopez when he was still with Opeth, queit but cool, nice dude. Missed him and was worried he'd never come back to music so you can imagine how stoked I was when I found Soen with Martin Lopez killing it on the drums again. One of the best drummers of all-time IMHO and Soen wearing some similarity on their sleeves, they still have their own voice, writing some amazing songs, that's what counts.
@anzeal00
This music is better than Tool.
@cassioklein
@Anzeal JimeneZ way better
@HumFan
seems like a cope
@cafelinasha299
This is the song that made me fall in love with this band years ago. The exceptional drumming, the beautiful clear vocal, the wisdom of the lyrics...wow!
@jorbras153
The same happened to me!
@whitechocolatte5863
One of the most underrated bands ever I swear to god.
@kharnsagara
1,000% in support of how amazing and good they are, they're tattooed on me as one of my favorites