Born in the early 2010s around drummer Martin Lopez, formerly of Opeth, and singer Joel Ekelöf, Soen long carried the label of Tool disciples before imposing an identity of their own, more melodic and more limpid. Memorial, their sixth album, confirms that evolution toward an accessible progressive metal, concerned with songs rather than demonstrations.
The critics (an 80 average across seven reviews) hail the constancy of a band that, record after record, refines its recipe. They praise the voice of Joel Ekelöf, warm and expressive, as well as lyrics that do not shy from social and political themes tackled with an avowed gravity.
Musically, Memorial stakes on balance: sturdy riffs, broad choruses, careful arrangements where each instrument finds its place. The clear, dynamic production showcases a writing that favours direct emotion over technical profusion — a progressive scaled to human size.
That clarity has its reverse, however: in seeking efficiency too eagerly, Soen at times verge on formula, and the listener familiar with the band may find that the record opens little new territory. The solidity of the whole does not quite conceal a certain comfort.
Verdict: 8/10. An accomplished, sincere record confirming Soen among the safe bets of contemporary melodic progressive metal.
