SOEN – the Swedish progressive metal powerhouse spearheaded by Joel Ekelf (vocals) and Martin Lopez (drums) – continue to find incredible new pathways into the spatial areas between light and dark, loud and calm, heavy and soothing. And with its seamless march across deeply human emotional terrain, their forthcoming 7th studio album Reliance, SOEN continues to explore the human mind, heart, and soul with a visionary duty of care, plus an extra edge of heavy. With Lars Enok hlund (keyboards & guitar), Cody Lee Ford (guitar), and Stefan Stenberg (bass) standing shoulder to shoulder with Ekelf and Lopez, the lush continual evolution of SOENs sound soars. Take Primal, a barrel-chested roar detailing the existential fight between the human spirit and our current world, Ekelfs incredible vocals leading the heavy charge. Axis is a resolute and defiant look into where humanity sits, propelled by Lopezs relentless yet swinging drums, and then theres the serene elegance of Indifferent a beautifully orchestrated modern lament on the loss of love which rides resolutely on the power of strings, piano, and Ekelfs marvellous voice. With Reliance, SOEN continue their extraordinarily raw and earnest lifetime exploration of the mental and physical boundaries which challenge humankind as it writhes and wrestles with itself in these challenging times. Thoughtful, provocative, beautiful and brutal, Reliance is a journey you need to take.

Track List:

Side A:
1 Primal
2 Mercenary
3 Discordia
4 Axis
5 Huntress

Side B:
1 Unbound
2 Indifferent
3 Drifter
4 Draconian
5 Vellichor

street date 1/9/2026