Album Review: Soen - Reliance (2026, Silver Lining Music)
- Stuart Ball
- 1 hour ago
- 5 min read
Written: 12th January 2026
Having been formed more than 15 years ago by former Opeth drummer Martin Lopez, Soen have carved a niche in progressive metal that began with 2012’s Cognitive which drew some comparisons with Tool. Via albums such as Tellurian, Lykaia and the excellent Lotus, their sound has evolved to also embrace melodic hard rock and atmospheric leanings. Reliance is the band’s seventh full-length studio album.
The first three songs on Reliance have all been released as singles so fans will have a good idea of what the initial part of the album has to offer. First track Primal begins with ominous synths before a high guitar note signals the main riff is about to descend. That opening note fleetingly reminds me of the first moments of Alice Cooper’s Poison. A stomping groove-laden riff - which reappears throughout the track - takes over before the instruments mainly fall away and Joel Ekelöf’s unmistakable vocals begin. We are confined within our minds / Fully deprived / On their kindness, we rely / And all they have is what we built with our own hands. Soen have become adept at using the loud, quiet, loud approach. It may have become something that they rely on but it is extremely effective at creating different moods that find the space between light and dark, heavy and soothing. Regarding the lyrical message on Primal, Martin Lopez comments, “Primal is a song that came from a place of frustration with the world were living in. The corruption, the division and the suffocating grip that technology has on all of us. It’s heavy and straight to the point, built on riffs and raw energy, but it also opens up into a chorus that feels hopeful, like a reminder that light can still break through the dark.” Primal sets the tone for the entire album with confidence, making use of the melodic weight and dynamic contrasts that defined Imperial and Memorial.
Mercenary, like Primal, does not let up in its attacking intent. Across the album, Ekelöf is a commanding presence and here, he demonstrates the full range of his abilities: quieter, hushed ethereal vocals to the soaring opulence of the choruses. Cody Lee Ford has become an integral part of Soen since joining a little before the release of Lotus. His thoughtfully expansive guitar solos can be pyrotechnic or radiant and on Mercenary, he shimmers with elegance and power. Soen are not afraid to embrace dark subject matter and this is evident throughout the album. "Mercenary is about the violence we inherit, which then sees hatred seeping into lives - and life - which in turn shapes generations,” comments Ekelöf, who also states that, “musically, it carries the essence of Soen – heavy yet melodic and built on power and precision.”
Discordia begins with a more quietly reflective aura, Ekelöf spectral and introspective, and venturing through contrasting musical landscapes. Sections of Discordia are amongst the heaviest on the album; bassist Stefan Stenberg unleashing some seriously aggressive tones. Elsewhere, there are delightful contours and colours conjured by keyboardist Lars Enok Åhlund and running through it all are the ever reliable rhythms of Martin Lopez, who is clearly proud of the result. “Discordia is the result of us pushing ourselves into different territories both sonically and emotionally. We experimented with darker textures to capture the descent from self-protection into isolation.”
For the most part, Axis, which contains one of the best guitar solos on Reliance, brings the tempo up again and has some striking passages that are perfect for the live arena and it is easy to imagine Ekelöf leading a crowd in a fervent singalong of lyrics that encourage a united approach to societal problems. Key amongst Soen’s strengths is the contribution of each member. It is easy to point to Ekelöf as the star of the show and indeed he is, without doubt, one of the most gifted rock vocalists of recent years; however, Reliance shows clearly that the band believe in themselves as a complete entity.
Huntress is a mid-tempo piece that veers from the vulnerable, elegiac verses to the dynamic choruses. During its third quarter, it becomes anthemic and majestic, with Cody Lee Ford delivering a sweeping, heart-rending solo. Although the songwriting is tight, Unbound continues in a similar vein and there is definitely an argument to be made that some tracks on Reliance tend to lean on a familiar blueprint - a point that some listeners will find challenging if they are seeking greater variety.
With this in mind, Indifferent arrives at exactly the right juncture. A piano-led ballad, it finds Ekelöf in a contemplative frame of mind, exquisitely paired with Cody Lee Ford’s plaintive solo and lyrics steeped in themes of abandonment, loss and the relentless pull of memory. I need to find a way out of this sinister maze / Standing outside, I know what we had wasn’t worthless / Now I have to learn to forget…..How does someone become so heartless? / Ripping into my chest / How does someone become so cold and indifferent? Necessarily, Indifferent offers something completely different to what we have heard so far and while the following track Drifter steps back into the realms of Mercenary or Primal, it does bring in some interesting new flourishes in the form of Lars Enok Åhlund’s kaleidoscopic synths and heavier riffs during the middle bridge.
Containing a little of everything that has come previously, penultimate track Draconian is a plea for acceptance and forgiveness, exploring themes of faith, isolation and spiritual longing. Following a more typical introduction, Soen experiment with dynamics and tempo; a central section of overlapping voices, luminous harmonies and intricate drum patterns from Lopez culminates with an iridescent catharsis.
Final track Vellichor brings the curtain down on Reliance with an initially subdued gravity that gradually ascends into something far more majestic. It features a scintillating guitar solo from Cody Lee Ford and closes with a passage that is truly striking. The piece demonstrates how to build towards a conclusion that feels powerful and complete. It is the longest track here - even at just under five minutes - yet still carries a spacious and immersive character. More importantly, Vellichor highlights the strength of the band as a collective - to which I alluded earlier. Each member contributes with clarity and purpose and this is perhaps the clearest example of their combined artistry throughout the record. It leaves a haunting, resonance that compels you to hit play again.
For long-time followers who purely cherished the deeply exploratory spirit of Cognitive and Tellurian, Reliance will not rekindle that sense of audacious progression. I joined the Soen journey just after the release Lykaia and still regard Lotus as a defining moment. While I have grown to love the first two records, I have also fully embraced and enjoyed the path carved by Imperial and Memorial. This latest chapter continues along that trajectory and although it is understandable why those yearning for the early unpredictability may remain unconvinced, listeners, like myself, who value the refinement of recent years will find much to enjoy. There is some truth in the notion that certain structures feel familiar yet tracks such as Indifferent and Vellichor inject welcome contrast and depth. As Martin Lopez affirms, “Lyrically and musically, we want to go through all of human emotions: beauty and anger and heavy and soft, it’s always been the goal of the band” and that ambition remains evident here. The musicianship throughout is undeniable and several songs seem destined to thrive in a live setting. For newcomers, this could serve as an excellent introduction and for current fans, it is a reminder of Soen’s command of mood and melody.
Primal is released on 16th January 2026.
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