SOEN, the progressive metal supergroup featuring drummer Martin Lopez (ex-Opeth, Amon Amarth), bassist Steve DiGiorgio (Sadus, Testament, Death, Iced Earth), vocalist Joel Ekelöf (Willowtree), and guitarist Kim Platbarzdis, are pleased to bring their Cognitive debut stateside this Summer.
Initially released digitally via Spinefarm Records last Winter, Cognitive was mixed by David Bottrill (Tool, Coheed and Cambria, Silverchair, Smashing Pumpkins, Muse, etc.), mastered by João Carvalho, and features ten tracks of what Lopez describes as “melodic, heavy, intricate and different.” View the band’s video for “Delenda,” at THIS LOCATION.
Cognitive Track Listing:
01. Fraktal
02. Fraccions
03. Delenda
04. Last Light
05. Oscillation
06. Canvas
07. Ideate
08. Purpose
09. Slithering
10. Savia
When Lopez joined forces with DiGiorgio, Ekelöf, and Platbarzdis, it was obvious that this collaboration would not be another name-dropping, substance-deprived “super project.” The foursome paint their musical canvas with broad strokes that on first listen may appear gray and sullen, but the true power of the music lies clandestine, just a little below the monochrome surface. More than just a sum of its rather esteemed parts, SOEN weave an intricate network of melody and melancholy. While SOEN may sound Opethian at times, it features none of the guttural vocals and full-on death metal wall of sound of Lopez’ former group. Nothing more is needed however when Ekelöf’s somber voice, Platbarzdis’s transcendent guitar work, Lopez’s trademark drum beats and DiGiorgio’s exquisite bass lines collaborate to build a pensive tide waiting to wash over you.
Cognitive isn’t an instantaneously accessible album but with a bit of listening patience, can prove to be one of the most rewarding pieces of “thinking man’s metal” you will ever come across. In a world full of super-compressed albums waging the loudness war, Cognitive breathes with ease thanks to the warmth of Platbarzdis/Lopez production and the masterful mixing work of. Like rain on a windowpane, translucent and free of form, Cognitive breathes like a living entity. The colors are there, lingering within the grays. It’s just up to you to find them.
Further information on SOEN to be revealed in the coming weeks.
“The instrumental prowess of each of the members aside, the thing that ultimately makes Cognitive a success is the high caliber of songwriting from beginning to end, a triumph in rhythmic and melodic interplay between all instrumentalists and vocalist Joel Ekelof… a brilliantly executed album.. sure to stand up to repeated listening for a long time to come.” – Ultimate-Guitar
“For a debut album, this is really something to behold. The production is even, the music thematic and smart, and the musicians eager to share every second with the other. Most remarkable is that SOEN simply appear to be on the exact same page.” – The Metal Observer
“…a fantastic record, and these talented musicians pull off this sound with proficiency. We could all use a melancholic and intelligent rock record that is equal parts melodic and progressive.” – Heavy Blog Is Heavy
SOEN: Debut From Progressive Supergroup
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