Soen are a Swedish progressive metal band whose music also incorporates progressive rock and alternative metal. Although their beginnings date back to 2004, the band’s formation was publicly announced in May 2010. The original line-up brought together former Opeth drummer Martin Lopez, bassist Steve Di Giorgio, previously associated with Death, Testament and Sadus, Willowtree vocalist Joel Ekelöf and guitarist Joakim Platbarzdis.
The group released their first song, “Fraccions”, on their official website in October 2010. Their first music video, for “Savia”, followed in February 2012. Subsequent videos featured an acoustic version of “Ideate” and the song “Delenda”.
Soen’s debut album, “Cognitive”, was released through Spinefarm Records in February 2012. David Bottrill mixed the record, while João Carvalho handled mastering. It received positive reviews, with particular praise for the musicians’ technical proficiency, although many critics noted strong stylistic similarities to Tool. Lopez acknowledged Tool’s influence and characterised Soen’s music as combining melody, heaviness and complexity.
Their second album, “Tellurian”, appeared in 2014. Platbarzdis produced the record, Bottrill returned to mix it, and Adam Ayan handled mastering. The band’s third album, “Lykaia”, released in 2017, was recorded entirely using analogue equipment. “Lotus” followed in 2019 and “Imperial” in 2021, before the live album “Atlantis” arrived in 2022. Their sixth studio album, “Memorial”, was released in September 2023, followed by their seventh, “Reliance”, in January 2026.
The band has undergone several line-up changes. Lars Åhlund joined in 2014, contributing keyboards, guitars and backing vocals, while guitarist Cody Lee Ford became a member in 2018. Bassist Stefan Stenberg played with Soen from 2013 to 2020 and returned in 2025, following Oleksii “Zlatoyar” Kobel’s tenure.
The current line-up consists of Lopez on drums and percussion, Ekelöf on lead vocals, Åhlund on keyboards and guitars, Ford on guitars and Stenberg on bass. Signed to Silver Lining, Soen have released seven studio albums and achieved chart placements across several European countries, including Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Finland.
