Sometimes, bands change their style from one album to the next; they go through various phases in their career, trying to find the sound that best suits them. Swedish metallers SOEN are one such band, starting as a proper progressive metal band with some TOOL and OPETH influences to their music (see 2012’s “Cognitive”), only to develop their own sound on the following three albums. The 2020s saw them shift and evolve once again as they went for a more streamlined approach to songs, upping the melodic and anthemic aspect while downplaying the proggier elements. The recently released “Reliance” – out on January 16th, 2026, via Silver Lining Music – pretty much follows the path set by 2021’s “Imperial” and continued on 2023’s “Memorial.”
What I meant to say in the introduction is that post “Lotus” SOEN is more melodic and approachable, with songs that stick to around four to five minutes in length and boast big, catchy choruses, which may (further) disappoint those who expect longer and more complex song structures from these Swedes. At the same time, the fact that their preferred formula for songcraft is more visible on this batch of songs doesn’t really affect their quality, it just makes everything a bit more predictable, that’s all. That being said, some may see this album as a step down for the band or as a case of style over substance. However, the lyrical depth is still there, as many songs feel like a social critique (the idea of “Crowing vultures into kings” is particularly striking), it’s just covered in a much heavier and grittier sound.
All this was to be expected, honestly, just based on the singles released beforehand. I mean, both “Primal” and “Mercenary” are heavy and distorted numbers with chugging guitar riffs, bouncy melodies, and gritty vocals that juxtapose pockets of melody, atmosphere, and softer vocals, a soundscape that is quite familiar to anyone that has heard SOEN before. More to the point, most of what we hear on “Reliance” has been done before in one form or another; there’s nothing really new or refreshing here when it comes to what SOEN has been doing these past few years. Nonetheless, there are a few songs that stick out more than others, and the third single, stunning “Discordia,” caught my attention since release day with its almost djenty guitars, potent melodies, atmospheric passages, and, of course, Joel Ekelöf’s classy vocals.
Another song that stands out to me is the arena-ready “Huntress,” a beautifully atmospheric and mellow track with a punchy chorus and a gorgeous solo moment courtesy of Cody Ford’s mastery. It reminds me so much of “Illusion” both in ambiance and lyrical depth, and I think it’s important to have songs that carry social messages and thus give us some food for thought in the process. Then there’s the obligatory album ballad, “Indifferent,” a stripped-down, orchestral piece carried mostly by piano and vocals that asks a simple yet incredibly relevant question: “How does someone become so cold and indifferent?” even if this question is posed in the context of a break-up. This song is as emotional as it is simple and gentle, and in stark contrast with the rest of the songs.
Majestic closing track, “Vellichor,” impresses with its choral vocal, ambient effect, and a slow build-up that inevitably leads to an epic melodic crescendo capped off by another blazing guitar solo from Cody Ford. As for the rest of the songs, they are pretty much SOEN-by-the-numbers at this point, tracks that see the band playing to their strength on every front, from Martin Lopez’s inspired and intriguing drum patterns (see “Discordia”) and Cody Ford’s guitar wizardry (see the solo on “Axis” among other things) to Joel Ekelöf’s dual vocal style (see “Drifter”) and Lars Åhlund’s lush keys that either pop up to add ambiance or stay in the background (see “Draconian”) while Stefan Stenberg’s bass lines are both solid and thunderous (see “Unbound”). Speaking of, the way Ekelöf navigates between gritty, aggressive vocals and softer, more delicate croons on most of the songs is a high point of this album.
In conclusion, the high quality of the riffs and the well-implemented melodic hooks, coupled with some thought-provoking lyrics and anthemic moments, make “Reliance” a strong, melodic outing from the band, even if it leans a bit too much on predictable patterns. That’s not to say that this is SOEN on autopilot, going through the motion of creating ten songs that are instantly recognizable as SOEN simply because when most of the songs are this good, who really minds the formulaic approach? Moreover, many a band have gone through the same phase in the hopes of cementing their sound instead of always trying to reinvent themselves, and, in this respect, “Reliance” should be seen as the end-result of a band that continues to build their metal persona.
Written by Andrea Crow
Tracklist
- Primal
- Mercenary
- Discordia
- Axis
- Huntress
- Unbound
- Indifferent
- Drifter
- Draconian
- Vellichor
Lineup
- Joel Ekelöf – vocals
- Cody Lee Ford – guitar
- Stefan Stenberg – bass
- Lars Åhlund – keyboards, guitar
- Martin Lopez – drums
Label
Silver Lining Music
