Memorial
Silver Lining, 2023
8/10
This 5th album from the hard hitting yet tuneful rockers Soen knows its way around a searing riff, but can also end up in balladry across the 10 diverse and accomplished songs.
The thumping drums from Martin Lopez opens the dense landscape of “Sincere”, as Cody Lee Ford’s driving guitar guides the thick climate, and “Unbreakable” follows with plenty of atmosphere before the thundering rhythm section is met with Joel Ekelöf’s smooth and fluid singing.
Halfway through, Elisa’s stunning and powerful voice populates the calm duet that is “Hollowed”, while “Memorial” benefits much from Oleksii “Zlatoyar” Kobel’s throbbing bass for the chugging yet melodic version of hard rock.
At the end, “Icon” illuminates the dynamic and crunchy rhythm section amid the firm but also harmonic singing of the anthemic album highlight, and “Vitals” exits with Lars Enok Åhlund’s intimate keys alongside the poetic singing of the dreamy, vulnerable finish.
A listen with songs that can boom loud enough to fill stadiums or smaller, personal venues, too, Soen embrace the intensity of charged rock ideas, and inject plenty of warmth and introspection as well.
Travels well with: Station- Perspective; Mars Hall- Is Anybody Out There?