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
Sectarian
Soen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The ones I touch the earth will swallow
I bless them with demise
This burning field my ghost will hallow
Run away and leave it all
Run away and leave it all
Leave the trail for a moment
And give in to the presence
Conceding a severed utopia
Let me rest in your cradle
Suffocate by your hand
Be embraced by the rotten
Immoral... perverted... vile
Let the skies rain
On the weak and the fallen
Let them reach faith
And be saved by your glory
Tonight the wait will end signs left a trace
And you'll return unharmed
Free of all the pain
Keep me close to the marrow
Part my skin from the bone
Any thoughts of rebellion
Are captured and hooked up to a chain
When my spirit is broken
And my will disconnects
A mirage of existence
Will carry this life into the next
Let the skies rain
On the weak and the fallen
Let them reach faith
And be saved by your glory
Tonight the wait will end signs left a trace
And you'll return unharmed
Free of all the pain
Hollow, shadow guide me out of the shame
Faceless, tyrant let the fear be my fate
"Sectarian" by Soen is a multi-layered song about power and control, abuse, and the quest for transcendence. The lyrics describe an individual who seeks to eradicate all life, but instead of doing it themselves, they bless their victims with demise. The imagery of the "burning field my ghost will hallow" adds to the sense of otherworldly power and detachment from reality. The singer then asks to be embraced by the "rotten, immoral... perverted... vile," suggesting that they seek corruption and degradation as a form of release.
The second verse changes the tone and introduces the idea of escape, of "leaving it all." The singer asks to "change the course for a while" and "give in to the presence," perhaps suggesting a desire for a temporary respite from their destructive tendencies. The lyrics then take on a more religious tone, with references to rain and salvation by a higher power. The imagery becomes more disturbing, with references to suffocation and rebellion being captured and hooked up to a chain.
The final lines of the song suggest a resignation to fate, with the singer asking to be guided out of shame and accepting fear as their destiny. Overall, the song can be interpreted as a commentary on the dangers of unchecked power and the search for meaning and transcendence in a world filled with violence and chaos.
Line by Line Meaning
Eradicate all life
I want to destroy everything and everyone around me
The ones I touch the earth will swallow
My influence is so negative that it destroys the lives of those around me
I bless them with demise
I take pleasure in causing destruction to others
This burning field my ghost will hallow
I revel in the destruction I have caused, and it will become a haunting part of my legacy
Run away and leave it all
I urge others to flee from me and escape my destructive tendencies
Leave the trail for a moment
Sometimes it is necessary to divert from our usual path and make changes in our lives
Change the course for a while
Taking a different path can lead to new experiences and opportunities
And give in to the presence
We should fully embrace our surroundings and be present in the moment
Conceding a severed utopia
By accepting our surroundings, we may have to give up our ideal vision of perfection
Let me rest in your cradle
I want to find comfort and peace in someone else's care
Suffocate by your hand
I am willing to succumb to someone else's authority and control
Be embraced by the rotten
I am drawn to the ugly, shameful aspects of life
Immoral... perverted... vile
I am attracted to and even celebrate things that are considered morally corrupt and unacceptable
Let the skies rain on the weak and the fallen
I believe that those who are vulnerable and suffering deserve punishment and suffering
Let them reach faith
There is hope for redemption and salvation, but only if one submits to a higher power
And be saved by your glory
Praise and submission to a higher power can lead to redemption and salvation
Tonight the wait will end signs left a trace
Something significant is about to happen, and there are signs pointing to it
And you'll return unharmed
I believe that a higher power will protect and preserve me, even in the face of danger
Free of all the pain
Redemption and salvation will bring an end to my suffering
Hollow, shadow guide me out of the shame
I am seeking guidance and help to escape from the shameful aspects of myself and my life
Faceless, tyrant let the fear be my fate
I am submitting to a higher power that I fear and which controls my fate
Writer(s): Lars Ahlund, Marcus Jidell, Martin Lopez, Joel Ekelof, Leif Stenberg
Contributed by Elena A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Daz Zammit
When my spirit is broken
And my will disconnects
A mirage of existence
Will carry this life into the next ....
This rips my heart out EVERYTIME ! <3
CGR
That breakdown riff is just stupidly amazing
Fuck Knuckles
It's absolutely filthy, chubs me up every time
annxllxx
I listen to the song all day and I still can't get enough of it.
Bithon
C A N N O T T
Bruno Vieira
Espetacular.... caraca como não conhecia essa preciosidade antes ... não consigo parar de ouvir as composições destes caras ...
LUISA ISALU
Ta fooodaaa não consigo tmb parar
SebastBeltzaB
¡Temazo! 🇨🇴
Marlon Cervantes
Don't stop making music, please
Gil Goren Shimoni
Here's to Soen, who showed up to the afternoon show in Israel in mid-July wearing buttoned up shirts and went through an hour and a half without falling unconscious from dehydration or slipping on their own puddles of sweat and breaking their necks falling.