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
Vitals
Soen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
After you drifted away
To reach for the sun
Searching for a home
Well I'm not alone
For what it matters
I'm sailing for the cure
Drowning in stars
After you're gone
I'm dancing with the angel of the fall
My saviour is here within a call
To give me an answer to it all
Just say you're alive
Take this needle from my side
Say you're alive
Don't you play with my mind
'Cause I don't wanna feel no more
No, I don't wanna feel
After you're gone
Nothing really matters anymore
Blood keeps dripping on the floor
Slowly I'm losing control
The air I breathe reminds me of the doubts I've had before
Just say you're alive
Take this needle from my side
Say your alive
Don't you play with my mind
Appear from the sky
Don't hold me in blindness no more
Don't leave me here alone
Or peacefully I'll join
'Cause I don't wanna feel no more
No, I don't wanna feel
The lyrics of Soen's song "Vitals" convey a sense of longing and loss, as well as a desire for emotional healing. The opening lines, "After you're gone, after you drifted away," suggest that someone significant has left or moved on from the singer's life. The phrase "to reach for the sun, searching for a home" implies that this person left in pursuit of their own happiness and a sense of belonging.
The following lines, "Well, I'm not alone, for what it matters, I'm sailing for the cure, chasing the dark, drowning in stars," convey a sense of determination and resilience. Despite feeling the absence of this person, the singer refuses to succumb to loneliness and instead embarks on a journey to find healing and meaning. They are searching for a cure to their emotional pain, possibly through introspection or finding solace in the vastness of the universe.
The chorus, "Just say you're alive, take this needle from my side, say you're alive, don't you play with my mind, 'cause I don't wanna feel no more, no, I don't wanna feel," expresses a plea for the person who left to let the singer know that they are still alive. The metaphorical "needle" represents the pain and the desire to be relieved from it. The singer doesn't want their mind to be toyed with or consumed by thoughts of the past; they simply want to escape from the emotional burden and numbness they are feeling.
The second verse continues the theme of detachment and numbness by saying that after the person is gone, nothing really matters anymore. The mention of blood dripping on the floor suggests that the pain is visceral and ongoing. The line "slowly I'm losing control, the air I breathe reminds me of the doubts I've had before" conveys a feeling of spiraling further into emotional turmoil. The familiar elements in their surroundings only serve as reminders of past uncertainties and fears.
The song concludes with a plea for the person who left to reappear and not keep the singer in the dark any longer. The line "don't hold me in blindness no more, don't leave me here alone" suggests that the singer yearns for clarity and companionship. They do not want to be trapped in an uncertain state and are willing to join the person who left, either in a quest for answers or to find peace. The phrase "cause I don't wanna feel no more, no, I don't wanna feel" reiterates their desire to escape from emotional pain and numbness.
Overall, "Vitals" portrays the emotions of loss, longing, and the struggle to find healing and emotional release. The lyrics evoke a sense of vulnerability and the universal desire for connection and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
After you're gone
Following your departure or absence
After you drifted away
After you moved away or separated
To reach for the sun
Striving or longing for something great
Searching for a home
Looking for a place of belonging or comfort
Well I'm not alone
I am accompanied or supported
For what it matters
Despite its significance or importance
I'm sailing for the cure
I am journeying towards healing or resolution
Chasing the dark
Pursuing the unknown or unresolved
Drowning in stars
Immersed or overwhelmed by celestial beauty or dreams
I'm dancing with the angel of the fall
I am engaged in a dance with a divine figure symbolizing decline or change
My savior is here within a call
My rescuer or source of salvation is accessible through communication
To give me an answer to it all
To provide a solution or understanding to everything
Just say you're alive
Simply affirm your existence
Take this needle from my side
Remove this source of pain or suffering from me
Say you're alive
Declare that you are living
Don't you play with my mind
Do not toy or manipulate with my thoughts or emotions
Cause I don't wanna feel no more
Because I no longer desire to experience emotions
No, I don't wanna feel
No, I no longer want to have sensations or emotions
Nothing really matters anymore
Nothing holds true significance or importance anymore
Blood keeps dripping on the floor
Blood continues to fall or leak onto the ground
Slowly I'm losing control
Gradually, I am losing command or power
The air I breathe reminds me of the doubts I've had before
The atmosphere I inhale brings back memories or uncertainties from the past
Appear from the sky
Materialize or manifest from above
Don't hold me in blindness no more
Do not keep me in ignorance or unawareness any longer
Don't leave me here alone
Do not abandon or forsake me in solitude
Or peacefully I'll join
Otherwise, I will calmly join or merge
Cause I don't wanna feel no more
Because I no longer want to experience emotions
No, I don't wanna feel
No, I no longer desire sensations or emotions
Contributed by Thomas O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@fieldofsorrow
lyrics
After you're gone
After you drifted away
To reach for the sun
Searching for a home
Well I'm not alone
For what it matters
I'm sailing for the cure
Chasing the dark
Drowning in stars
After you're gone
I'm dancing with the angel of the fall
My saviour is here within a call
To give me an answer to it all
Just say you're alive
Take this needle from my side
Say you're alive
Don't you play with my mind
'Cause I don't wanna feel no more
No, I don't wanna feel
After you're gone
Nothing really matters anymore
Blood keeps dripping on the floor
Slowly I'm losing control
The air I breathe reminds me of the doubts I've had before
Just say you're alive
Take this needle from my side
Say your alive
Don't you play with my mind
Appear from the sky
Don't hold me in blindness no more
Don't leave me here alone
Or peacefully I'll join
'Cause I don't wanna feel no more
No, I don't wanna feel
VoVo💔
@janesims1796
Joel's voice is simply magnificent. Such a beautiful song - so emotive it made me cry. Soen have got to be the best band in the world. Undiscovered but not for long.
@georgeramos2176
This band deserve more recognition
@dorojoe24
SOEN is a maker of emotions. One of the best bands in the world
@nickos16
We are talking for one of the best albums of the decade in its kind.
Vitals is showing how they grow through these years. That moment in 03:09-03:17 is EPIC. What a nice melody !
@andreasilva8232
WHAAAAT IS THAT BEAUTY!!❤❤ the voice, the lyrics, the atmosphere, I'm crying rn
@Philosopat
First listen it was an instant classic. Same.
@MsLio007
Have a doubt here, the part that states "say you're alive" refers to the entity or angel whose he's begging for help to not feel pain? Or the subject of the song which ran off?
I guess I'm missing something, please help me to understand if you know the meaning
@brittamichalskypatscarpett3798
❤❤❤❤❤
@sadashiva1708
@@MsLio007 Sounds like this song is somehow related to Lucidity, It's not exactly clear yet to me. Need to give it some time.
@lady_vampy13
@@MsLio007it's about not knowing if your loved one is dead or alive and waiting to get the call to find out either way.