Seventh album, and the usual trial begins: has Soen definitively traded prog for arena rock? At 65/100 across four reviews, Reliance splits cleanly. Record Collector (8/10) applauds, Metal Hammer (7/10) politely follows, Angry Metal Guy (3/5) concedes the record « never fires a dud — an accomplishment now seven albums in », and Prog (5/10) punishes the « more metal, less prog » turn: « a lot to love », but nothing for anyone hoping for more involved songwriting.
The point of agreement: Joel Ekelöf. The singer remains the record’s centre of gravity, and even the disappointed salute the craft and the production. The point of friction: familiarity. AMG notes the album « lands self-similar at its heaviest moments », flattening the intensity climbs — déjà vu as a method.
The public cuts deeper than the press: 57/100 on AOTY, with day-one fans checking out. A solid, calibrated record that mostly sets up the stage — where the band remains formidable. Toulouse gets to verify in person: the Reliance Tour hits Le Rex on December 3, 2026.