COGNITIVE

"Cognitive" is the debut full-length studio album by multi-national progressive rock/metal act Soen. The album was released through Spinefarm Records in February 2012. Soen was formed in 2004 by drummer Martin Lopez (Opeth) and guitarist Kim Platbarzdi, but it wasn´t until 2010 when lead vocalist Joel Ekelöf (Willowtree) joined, that the band became active. The quartet lineup is completed by the omnipresent bassist Steve Digiorgio (Death, Testament, Iced Earth, Sadus..etc.).

Stylistically the material on "Cognitive" is in a melodic, melancholic, and rhythmically heavy and syncopated progressive rock/metal style. Tool/A Perfect Circle are the most obvious influences and sometimes also a bit too obvious. Soen are a less experimental act though and most tracks are vers/chorus structured and relatively easy to follow. The big soaring choruses are one of the greatest assets of "Cognitive" along with the emotional singing and strong voice of Ekelöf. With the instrumentalists involved it´s no surprise that the instrumental part of the music is well performed too. It takes a few listen to remember the tracks and not all of them stick, but I have to mention closing track "Savia" because of the absolutely stunning melody lines. They are incredibly well constructed and performed.

"Cognitive" features a professional, detailed, and well sounding production job and upon conclusion it´s a promising first release by Soen. I think they wear their influences a bit too much on their sleeves on this album, and it does slightly drag my rating down, but in all other departments "Cognitive" is a high quality release and a 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.

(Originally posted on Metal Music Archives).

It was interesting seeing this album reviewed earlier this month, because I knew it was coming up soon in my pipeline for review. That review was from Jonas the Metalmusicarchives guy. And I agree with his opinions. It's difficult finding a review for a SOEN album that doesn't mention TOOL. And the two constants in this band over the years has been the singer as well as the drummer Martin Lopez formerly of OPETH. Lopez was with OPETH from "My Arms, Your Hearse" to "Ghost Reveries" a nice little six album run.

SOEN have had a lot of lineup changes over their six album run so far. Based in Sweden but they are a multi-national band. I have their first two records and this is the debut from 2012. I rated both 3 stars. Now after that second release they added a keyboardist and I understand they have become less proggy in the process. I just have had trouble latching on to this music. It's not sticking. KARNIVOOL is a similar band who just does it better in my opinion, at least on their "Sound Awake" record.

We get ten tracks worth 48 minutes. The opener "Fraktal" is interesting because of how psychedelic it sounds. It's just over a minute long. The next song "Fraccions" is where the heaviness arrives and right from the start. TOOL comes to mind for sure on this one. Love the drumming. Sounds like double tracked vocals after 4 minutes that I'm not into. "Last Light" is pretty sad sounding overall but how about the uplifting chorus on the next track "Oscillation". Still, sadness arrives here too along with some heavy music and riffs.

My favourite song is "Canvas". It just has this heavy groove that I like and includes some riffs. It's surprisingly atmospheric early on in "Ideate", in fact for the first 2 minutes. Best part of the song. "Purpose" is good, nice and heavy throughout. "Slithering" really has it's moments and disappointments too. The singer reminds me of Duda early on that closer. This is the only time on this record that I felt that though. A good way to end this album.

The two people that originally formed this band drummer Martin Lopez and the guitarist Joakim Platbarzdis co-produced this record.