With their latest masterpiece, “Atlantis,” Swedish progressive metal act SOEN pushed the boundaries of musical ingenuity as they reimagined some of their greatest compositions in a captivating semi-acoustic fashion. We were prepared for an unforgettable experience in the picturesque outdoor oasis of CoolHead Brew, where the band was set to play their “Atlantis” set along with a string quartet and a backing vocalist. On Friday, June 14th, 2023, we immersed ourselves in the sublime melodies of the Swedes.
The journey started with a beautiful rendition of “Antagonist,” immediately dismissing any notion that this was a mere gathering for soothing campfire tunes. The show followed the original tracklisting of the album, with a few changes that enhanced the live experience. The midnight sun hindered the audience’s ability to use their phone flashlights for added atmosphere during the ballads. However, in an inspired moment, lead vocalist Joel Ekeloff, ever the showman, implored them to wave their hands instead. SOEN ventured into the realm of cover songs, delivering an amazing rendition of SLIPKNOT‘s “Snuff.” However, it was their performance of PINK FLOYD‘s timeless classic “Wish You Were Here,“ that caused a collective wave of nostalgia among the crowd. The air crackled with excitement as familiar chords resonated through the brewery, culminating in an unforgettable moment. SOEN concluded their setlist with the final gem, “Lotus.”
Overall, SOEN demonstrated impressive finesse during their performance, although the backing vocalist’s presence wasn’t always clear in the mix – depending on where you would stand. The show transported the audience to realms of pure sonic ecstasy, partially due to the Finnish string quartet, infusing each song with oomph. If there were any minor criticism, it would be regarding the backing vocalist, Diana Kantner. While Diana has been an integral part of SOEN‘s touring ensemble since April for their “Atlantis” shows, her classical background occasionally created a fleeting sense of unease on stage among seasoned metal musicians. A thoughtful solution might have been to position her slightly more in the background, allowing her vocal prowess to shine while seamlessly integrating with the band’s performance. All-in-all, we had a wonderful time watching SOEN‘s music transform the CoolHead brew into a magical place.
Photos by Laureline Tilkin
