Soen Tellurian

Soen was initially formed by Martin Lopez and Kim Platbarzdis in 2004. Due to a number of reasons Soen was put on ice, to be resumed with the arrival of Joel Ekelöf in early 2010. Later on in 2010, Steve DiGiorgio was recruited on bass and the band's line-up was finally complete.

When Swedish drummer Martin Lopez (ex-OPETH, AMON AMARTH) joined forces with metal bassist extraordinaire Steve DiGiorgio (SADUS, TESTAMENT, DEATH, ICED EARTH), vocalist Joel Ekelöf and guitarist Kim Platbarzdis in a brand new project called SOEN, it was obvious that this collaboration would not be just another name-dropping, substance-deprived “super project”.

Martin Lopez has described the band's music as "melodic, heavy, intricate and different." Even then, Lopez may be selling his band short. SOEN is, in a word, unique.

The foursome paint their musical canvas with broad strokes that on first listen may appear gray and sullen, but the true power of the music lies clandestine, just a little below the monochrome surface. More than just a sum of is rather esteemed parts, SOEN weave an intricate network of melodies and lull the listener submerged in a bliss of melancholy. Yes, at times Soen may resemble the Opeth of old, but it makes more of less, as it features none of the guttural vocals and full-on death metal wall of sound of Lopez' former group. But nothing more is needed when Ekelöf's somber voice, Platbarzdis's transcendent guitar work, Lopez's trademark drum beats and DiGiorgio's exquisite bass lines collaborate to build a pensive tide, just waiting to wash over you.

“Cognitive” sure isn't an instantaneously accessible album but with a bit of listener patience, it can prove to be one of the most rewarding pieces of “thinking man's metal” you will ever come across. In a world full of super-compressed albums waging the loudness war, “Cognitive” breathes with ease thanks to the masterful mixing work of David Bottrill (Tool, Smashing Pumpkins, Muse etc.). Like rain on a windowpane; translucent and free of form, “Cognitive” breathes like a living entity.

The colors are there, lingering within the grays. It's just up to you to find them.

SOEN will release its sophomore studio album, "Tellurian", on November 4 via Spinefarm Records.

As "Tellurian" makes plain, SOEN is not concerned with the simple or the shallow; their musical journey takes an altogether more ambitious path, and the result is an expansive body of work, wrapped up in the stunning art of Mexican painter José Luis López Galván, that consistently challenges without being "clever-clever" or tough to enjoy.

The melodies are intricate, the playing muscular and the choruses soaring; overall, the feel is one of a band whose intent is very much in synch with the sort of core values — skilled musicianship, emotion over precision, importance of album artwork — that seem to be back in vogue.

Produced by Platbarzdis, mixed by the legendary Grammy Award-winning David Bottrill (TOOL, SMASHING PUMPKINS, MUSE, KING CRIMSON) and mastered at Bob Ludwig's Gateway setup in the U.S. by Adam Ayan, also a Grammy winner, "Tellurian" sees SOEN taking the approach of their "Cognitive" debut (2012, Spinefarm) and pushing the boundaries in terms of musical scope, the whole thing shot through with the confidence of a band who have found their voice.

Rhythmic, experimental and flowing, and with the "muso" side never taking precedence over a good song and a telling chorus, "Tellurian" ("relating to, or inhabiting the earth") will appeal to anyone with an ear for quality playing, and there's further reward to be had below the surface, with the lyrics taking a more direct route than on "Cognitive", and the construction of the material — including first single/video "Tabula Rasa" ("Clean Slate") — allowing room for the raw emotion to shine through.

01. Komenco
02. Tabula Rasa
03. Kuraman
04. The Words
05. Pluton
06. Koniskas
07. Ennui
08. Void
09. The Other’s Fall