TELLURIAN

Where Opeth, Tool and Katatonia meet

The title more or less sums it up for Soen's second album ''Tellurian'', which shows evolution compared to their debut ''Cognitive'' in a sense that the sound has escaped the ''I want to become Tool in the place of Tool'' character. In addition, this release sounds much more progressive to my ears, contrary to the largely alternative rock found in Cognitive. Unfortunately, what has not changed is the derivative nature of their music: in this release they seem to be borrowing heavily from Opeth (e.g. 'The Words' and 'Ennui') and Katatonia, rather than only Tool. The mix is pleasant atmospheric, progressive/alternative experimental metal with well-worked melodic vocals that would satisfy the progressive metal fan but shows some serious pitfalls. Mikael Arkefeldt, Jonas Renske and Maynard James Keenan would be proud of a number of compositions in ''Tellurian''.

Granted, the compositions are worked to detail, the production is spotless, the balance of melody and heaviness is well-struck and there are some absolute killer riffs (see 'Kuraman', the latter part of 'Koniskas' or 'The Other's Fall') that take this release above the average and leave significant hope for the future. On the other hand, this is something I have heard before and would prefer to revert back to the original material if I had the chance. The heavier moments suit Soen better; the mellower could sometimes sound a bit too... mellow. The next release might prove if Soen have some more original ideas to take their career further.

Recommended listening: Kuraman, Void.

Thanks to Freeman Productions for the promo.

I can't figure out why this album isn't resonating with me. Certainly bands like TOOL, OPETH, RIVERSIDE and KATATONIA come to mind when playing this album and they are all bands I enjoy but this just isn't clicking with me for some reason. SOEN is a Swedish band and this is their second studio album. They have a new bassist and drummer for this one and it is significant that ex-OPETH drummer Martin Lopez is the drummer this time around. The cover art is different and I can't say i'm a fan of it but with two vegetarians in the band it is kind of humerous with this rino sitting down to eat all these mini humans.

"Komenco" is a short intro to "Tabula Rasa" and we get this tribal drumming with guitar expressions to start before it all turns fuller as it blends into track two. I like when the vocals stop each time and I can focus on the instrumental work. A calm before 4 minutes which lasts to the end and it includes reserved vocals. "Kuraman" is fairly uptempo to start but it settles back when the vocals arrive well before a minute. It kicks back in and I really like the heaviness half-way through this song. I love the tone of the guitar to start the next track called "The Words". Laid back vocals join in and we get strings as well 2 1/2 minutes in and later after 5 1/2 minutes. Sad and beautiful sections.

"Pluton" opens reminding me of OPETH because of the drumming not so surprisingly. It does settle back though when the vocals arrive. The guitar grinds it out over top. A calm follows and themes are repeated in this one. "Koniskas" is my favourite. Relaxed vocals and guitar early on then the drums and chunky bass are added. I'm reminded of RIVERSIDE here. Love the instrumental section from 3 1/2 minutes to almost 4 minutes when the vocals return with some passion. Nice. "Ennui" has a great intro but it settles back quickly and vocals join in. Some emotion in those vocals after 4 minutes. Love the heavy ending as well. "Void" is another mid-paced tune with plenty of vocals. I really like the bass 4 1/2 minutes in and the mellow section after 6 minutes. "The Others Fall" is a pretty cool track especially the bass/ drum sections. Although check out the guitar/ drum passage 2 1/2 minutes in.

I wish there were some experimental sections and more heavier passages but also that the vocals were more adventerous and emotional like the way Maynard James Keenan sings.