Soen
Reliance
Silver Lining Music
What constitutes “good music” is highly subjective, but if it can make you move physically or mentally, then it has done its job right. Metal is just one genre that can encourage both and among the finest purveyors of such is Sweden’s Soen, who return with their seventh effort in ‘Reliance’.The key strength of ‘Reliance’, truly, is its emotive content – every component of Soen’s music coalesces and wrings every last drop of sentiment from the subject matter. Right from opener “Primal” is this apparent: a stomping verse riff gives way to an impassioned and uplifting chorus that will provide the band’s latest live anthem for years. Even heavier cuts like the djent-groove-influenced “Axis” or the march-like “Unbound” manage to stir the soul, with Joel Ekelöf’s clarion call-to-arms vocals.Yet the band are equally adept when approaching things a little more softly – a part of the band’s sound where Ekelöf’s voice really shines. Tender ballad “Indifferent” sounds utterly heart-wrenching (who hurt you, Ekelöf?) with some tasteful use of strings, whilst closer “Vellichor” would not be out of place had it been released in the 80s. It is testament that the two facets of the band’s sound are such comfortable bedfellows that they meld together beautifully – Soen realise that starting a song from a strong core of emotion allows each to flourish.‘Reliance’ is breaking no new ground, but thirteen years on from their debut Soen’s journey up to now has been one of refinement, and they have certainly achieved a sound for them that works. It’s less progressive metal and more hard rock, but it works: solid, metallic songs that ache with humanity and rouse the senses.
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Review by Lee Carter