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
Writhen
Soen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So I greet you waking hour
all this time you've turned so spiteful
If I wronged you I regret it
no forgiveness in your silence
Order's changed within our bloodline
Tired from all fruitless efforts
youngest eyes look up to hear me
I can see your gaze has opened
see you hear my inner longing
Listen closely to the mantra
message leads you into knowing
Keep on turn it, keep on turn it downwards
Keep on turn it down until you save me
Keep on turn it over, turn it down
Keep on turn on it down until you save me
Words as clear just as if spoken
voice of silence still it thunders
Make the promise once they leave me
I will give you back your freedom
Keep on turn it, keep on turn it downwards
Keep on turn on it down until I save you
Keep on turn it over, turn it down
Keep on turn on it down until I save you
Keep on anything I do, you're not there
I don't care who wants your staying
Even though I told you otherwise, commonly you read my fortune you will try
I will leave a token in your mind, soulless individual with no goodbye
The song "Writhen" by Soen is about a strained relationship where one person is trying to reconcile with the other, but they are met with silence and spitefulness. The singer of the song apologizes for any wrongdoings, but they still receive no forgiveness. The order has changed within their bloodline, indicating that there is some sort of familial connection between the two individuals. The youngest eyes look up to hear the singer, suggesting that there may be a generational gap or that the singer is a parental figure to the other person.
The singer can finally see that the other person is starting to understand their point of view and is listening to their inner longing. The repeated phrase "keep on turn it down until you save me" could mean that the singer wants the other person to come down to their level emotionally or to meet them halfway in their attempt to reconcile. The last part of the song is a bit cryptic, with phrases like "soulless individual with no goodbye", suggesting that the relationship is perhaps irreparable.
Line by Line Meaning
So I greet you waking hour
I am acknowledging your presence as soon as I wake.
all this time you've turned so spiteful
You have been harboring malice towards me for an extended period of time.
If I wronged you I regret it
In the event that I have wronged you, I am remorseful for my actions.
no forgiveness in your silence
Your lack of communication demonstrates your unwillingness to forgive me.
Order's changed within our bloodline
The established power dynamic within our family has shifted.
share the grief but leave the burden
We can both feel the sorrow of our situation, but we should not burden each other with it.
Tired from all fruitless efforts
My attempts to rectify our situation have been in vain and have left me exhausted.
youngest eyes look up to hear me
The youngest members of our family are relying on me to lead and give them guidance.
I can see your gaze has opened
I recognize that you are finally receptive to my message.
see you hear my inner longing
You understand the depth of my emotional distress.
Listen closely to the mantra
Pay attention to the repeated phrase which holds great significance.
message leads you into knowing
This message will guide you towards acquiring knowledge.
Keep on turn it, keep on turn it downwards
Persist in turning something in a downward motion.
Keep on turn it down until you save me
Continue to manipulate something until it leads to my salvation.
Words as clear just as if spoken
Though unspoken, the message is just as easily understood as if it were stated aloud.
voice of silence still it thunders
Your lack of words still holds immense power.
Make the promise once they leave me
Give me reassurance that you will make a pledge after others are no longer present.
I will give you back your freedom
I will allow you to be free from any previous obligations or responsibilities.
Keep on anything I do, you're not there
Regardless of what I do, you are not present.
I don't care who wants your staying
I am indifferent to the desires of those who wish for you to remain.
Even though I told you otherwise, commonly you read my fortune you will try
Even if I have told you not to, you will still attempt to predict my future.
I will leave a token in your mind, soulless individual with no goodbye
I will depart without bidding farewell, but I will leave an indelible impression on your mind.
Contributed by Adalyn Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@niver9253
So I greet you waking hour
all this time you’ve turned so spiteful
If I wronged you I regret it
no forgiveness in your silence
Order’s changed within our bloodline
share the grief but leave the burden
Tired from all fruitless efforts
youngest eyes look up to hear me
I can see your gaze has opened
see you hear my inner longing
Listen closely to the mantra
message leads you into knowing
Keep on turn it, keep on turn it downwards
Keep on turn it down until you save me
Keep on turn it over, turn it down
Keep on turn on it down until you save me
Words as clear just as if spoken
voice of silence still it thunders
Make the promise once they leave me
I will give you back your freedom
Keep on turn it, keep on turn it downwards
Keep on turn on it down until I save you
Keep on turn it over, turn it down
Keep on turn on it down until I save you
Keep on anything I do, you’re not there
I don’t care who wants your staying
Even though I told you otherwise, commonly you read my fortune you will try
I will leave a token in your mind, soulless individual with no goodbye
@XxNoMErcY99xX
So I greet you waking hour
all this time you’ve turned so spiteful
If I wronged you I regret it
no forgiveness in your silence
Order’s changed within our bloodline
share the grief but leave the burden
Tired from all fruitless efforts
youngest eyes look up to hear me
I can see your gaze has opened
see you hear my inner longing
Listen closely to the mantra
message leads you into knowing
Keep on turn it, keep on turn it downwards
Keep on turn it down until you save me
Keep on turn it over, turn it down
Keep on turn on it down until you save me
Words as clear just as if spoken
voice of silence still it thunders
Make the promise once they leave me
I will give you back your freedom
Keep on turn it, keep on turn it downwards
Keep on turn on it down until I save you
Keep on turn it over, turn it down
Keep on turn on it down until I save you
Keep on anything I do, you’re not there
I don’t care who wants your staying
Even though I told you otherwise, commonly you read my fortune you will try
I will leave a token in your mind, soulless individual with no goodbye
@FlawedCoil82
It is still unbelievable to me how all remaining copies of this Japanese CD with this song have been completely wiped from existence. I have never seen that happen before. All unsold copies must have been buried in a landfill somewhere.
@yukinagato1573
This is basically The Pot in 6/4 (mostly) and I love it
@FlammableDead
I really love Soen, and I find the comparisons with tool normal, after all Tool is a band, not a genre. But this track really, really reminded me of The Pot, specially at the start.
@lonewanderer420
The drummer of this band said tool is a genre and was a huge influence on their first album
@JoseGomez-ys3zs
Exactly!
@yukinagato1573
That was literally the first thing I thought when I found this track on Spotify. Wonder WHY THE HELL this one is so unknown.
@edgarskovalevs4964
Perfect band, super melodic prog metal music! My favourite! I’ll give a 5stars.
@niver9253
So I greet you waking hour
all this time you’ve turned so spiteful
If I wronged you I regret it
no forgiveness in your silence
Order’s changed within our bloodline
share the grief but leave the burden
Tired from all fruitless efforts
youngest eyes look up to hear me
I can see your gaze has opened
see you hear my inner longing
Listen closely to the mantra
message leads you into knowing
Keep on turn it, keep on turn it downwards
Keep on turn it down until you save me
Keep on turn it over, turn it down
Keep on turn on it down until you save me
Words as clear just as if spoken
voice of silence still it thunders
Make the promise once they leave me
I will give you back your freedom
Keep on turn it, keep on turn it downwards
Keep on turn on it down until I save you
Keep on turn it over, turn it down
Keep on turn on it down until I save you
Keep on anything I do, you’re not there
I don’t care who wants your staying
Even though I told you otherwise, commonly you read my fortune you will try
I will leave a token in your mind, soulless individual with no goodbye
@josipboznovic1425
Hvala Nina!
@SanityTheorist5
I never knew about this song, even their b-sides are amazing!