Music Review: “Atlantis” by Soen    

The metal scene has seen eclectic innovations since the turn of the decade. This has manifested in the ever increasing sounds and themes that continue to be explored in the genre through its many forms. A genre characterized by heaviness, experimentation, complexity, expressiveness, and intensity, metal music has something to offer to and unite listeners of various musical styles.

Among the best metal subgenres to hear this characteristic experimentality and complexity coming together into elaborate and elegant melodies is progressive metal. This type of metal is known among audiences for pushing the boundaries of the scene, aiming to explore musical techniques and take on lyrical themes ranging from science to self-reflection to life’s biggest philosophical questions.

On Oct. 11 of 2022, enterprising progressive metal outfit Soen released their latest single titled “Atlantis”, as a preview to their album under the same title released Nov. 18. Following the many obstacles the band encountered as a result of the COVID pandemic, Soen returned with a sound more powerful and cathartic than ever. 

Once widely regarded as a “Tool ripoff band”, Soen has spent their recent years proving their experimental talents and compositional originality that are among the most evocative contributions made to the metal genre.

The “Atlantis” single delivered Soen’s two newest songs: a cover of death metal band Slipknot’s renowned ballad “Snuff”, and an original song titled “Trials”.  In these songs, Soen introduced a powerful orchestral element into their music, crossing it with traditional progressive metal elements, to which they add their own unique compositional and lyrical styles, complete with Swedish vocalist Joel Ekelöf’s melodious voice.

The two songs lyrically approach two very different but profound concepts. “Snuff” narrates a story of being broken down by unrequited love, while “Trials” is a message of hope and defiance when facing societal division and collapse, a major theme in the band’s latest albums. 

Both songs also follow a musical pattern commonly found in the band’s work throughout their years, in which a song will announce itself to the listener’s ears with an impressive intro, then proceed to steadily build up to a tuneful chorus, before dying down again to gradually lead to the song’s final, cathartic climax.

Aside from the two new tracks, the rest of the “Atlantis” album consists of re-released songs from the band’s previous albums in altered keys, including some of their most popular songs like “Lotus”, “Savia”, “Monarch”, and “Fortune”. Each track features the band experimenting with their acquired orchestral elements and incorporating them into these adapted songs.

It should be noted that rather than the heavier, fast-paced, guttural qualities of metal, Soen embraces the elegant, melodic, elaborate, and experimental potentials of the genre in their music. In their new album, they have captured the emotions and depth that can be found in the metal world, in a way that’s both unique and musically sophisticated. Soen’s “Atlantis” is a release deserving the ears and open minds of all kinds of metal enthusiasts.