Silver Lining Music
Release: 16 January 2026
Genre: Melodic Metal/Progressive
Links: https://www.soenmusic.com/
Line Up:
Joel Ekelöf – Vocals
Martin Lopez – Drums
Lars EnokÅhlund – Keyboards and Guitar
Cody Ford – Lead Guitar
Stefan Stenberg – Bass
Tracklist:
Primal
Mercenary
Discordia
Axis
Huntress
Unbound
Indifferent
Drifter
Draconian
Vellichor
Soen has been steadily gaining ground over the last five years, and for those who discovered them through 2023’s Memorial, their seventh album Reliance confirms the Swedish progressive metal outfit as a force fully arrived. It’s a shame it took this long to catch up with Joel Ekelöf and Martin Lopez’s project, but Reliance makes the oversight easy to forgive while demanding a deep dive into their back catalog.
This is Soen at their heaviest, built on a deceptively simple truth: if you have the right riff, loud and heavy, you can drive a song. Opener “Primal” proves this immediately, a barrel-chested roar that sets the tone before “Mercenary” adds layered depth with Lopez’s commanding rhythmic attack. The Opeth comparisons are inevitable—Lopez spent nearly a decade with that band, and tracks like the synth-sprinkled “Discordia” evoke their later-period atmospherics—but Soen has carved out their own identity, one that’s perhaps less elaborate but no less effective.
What truly sets Reliance apart is the band’s perfected melodic formula. The choruses are firmly cemented, heavy without descending into chaos, creating a sound that’s both immediate and sustainable. “Axis” plows forward with rhythmic intensity before a searing guitar solo kicks things into overdrive, while standout “Huntress” showcases everything Soen does well: piercing riffs balanced against Ekelöf’s soaring vocals, proggy keyboards, and a guitar solo that flashes Pink Floyd brilliance. The piano-led ballad “Indifferent” offers necessary breathing room, giving Ekelöf space to shine with poignant, heartfelt delivery.
Throughout Reliance, consistency reigns. There isn’t a weak track to be found, with the album maintaining its quality across all ten songs. The breakdowns from heavier passages to calmer rhythms may echo Opeth, but Soen’s approach feels more direct, more accessible without sacrificing depth. Produced by Alexander Backlund at Fascination Street Studios, the low end blends beautifully with the guitar work, creating a sonic landscape that moves effortlessly between aggression and atmosphere.
Reliance is a solid record from top to bottom and an excellent way to kick off 2026’s album releases. For longtime fans, it’s further proof of Soen’s evolution; for newcomers, it’s an essential entry point. Now there’s plenty of substance to measure against their earlier work—and if Lopez’s best work with Opeth is any indication, the journey backward through Soen’s catalog should be rewarding. Catch them live if you can; their reputation as a stellar live act only adds to their growing appeal.
Written by: Shadow Editor
Ratings: 8/10
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