PROG METAL NORTHERN LIGHTS

Led by Joel Ekelöf (vocals) and Martin Lopez (drums), Swedish prog metal outfit Soen returns to Pratteln with their new album Reliance (2026), ready to once again dive into emotionally charged sonic realms with Swiss fans and embark on a breathtaking journey through captivating soundscapes.

Soen, the Swedish progressive metal powerhouse, தொடர்ந்து discovers remarkable new musical paths between light and dark, loud and quiet, heavy and soothingly delicate. With a deep dive into human emotion, they once again explore the mind, heart and soul on their seventh studio album Reliance. Crafted with visionary care and an added edge of heaviness. With Lars Enok Åhlund (keyboards & guitar), Cody Lee Ford (guitar) and Stefan Stenberg (bass) alongside Ekelöf and Lopez, the continuous evolution of the Soen sound reaches new heights. Take the track “Primal”, a powerful outcry led by Ekelöf’s remarkable voice, describing the existential struggle between the human mind and the modern world. “Axis” delivers a determined and defiant take on the state of humanity, driven by Lopez’s relentless yet swinging drums. Then there is the quiet elegance of “Indifferent”, a beautifully orchestrated modern lament about the loss of love, carried by strings, piano and once again Ekelöf’s outstanding vocals. Like its predecessors Imperial (2021) and Memorial (2023), Reliance also topped the Metal Hammer soundcheck and was named “Album of the Month”: “Somehow Sweden’s prog metal prodigies manage to combine the aesthetics and ambition of Opeth with an incredible sense for hooks and pure musical emotion, rivaling Katatonia at their very best,” writes the reviewer. “The result is radiant, moving prog metal northern lights that are greater than the music itself.” Ekelöf once again proves he is one of the finest vocalists in the genre, while the instrumentalists match him every step of the way. That this brilliance translates perfectly to the stage was confirmed by Diebuehrers.com at their last show in Pratteln in 2024: “After just under 90 minutes and two encores, when Soen left the stage, no one really wanted to leave. The room was boiling with excitement and the band was celebrated accordingly. Once again, Soen proved why they are one of the most outstanding prog metal bands of our time.”