by Seamus Fitzpatrick
On Reliance, SOEN doubles down on a defining principle that has guided much of their recent work, which is cohesion over provocation. Rather than chasing radical formal shifts or overt stylistic reinvention, the band builds a tightly unified progressive metal record where rhythmic chugs and familiar structures do the heavy lifting. The result is an album that is deliberate, controlled, and architected from the inside out. This is an album less about surprise, but more about sustaining an identifiable sound.
At its core, Reliance is a chug-driven record. Across all ten tracks, the rhythmic foundation, anchored by Martin Lopez’s grounded, pulse-conscious drumming and Stefan Stenberg’s weight-forward bass work, establishes a physical center that everything else orbits. Even when tempos slow, or textures open up, the music rarely loses its sense of forward motion. This is progressive metal that prioritizes feel.
The opening track, “Primal,” makes that mission statement clear. Drop-tuned chugging, tribal rhythmic inflections, and tightly aligned band hits set the tone immediately. The song’s short atmospheric introduction functions as a scene-setter and a release valve before the groove locks in. That pattern, space yielding to weight, recurs throughout the album as a structural habit.
Tracks like “Axis” and “Unbound” further underline how rhythm functions as the album’s organizing spine. In “Axis,” bass and drums lead the momentum, with guitars responding to the groove rather than dominating it. “Unbound,” with its streamlined, almost radio-conscious structure, reinforces how subtle variation within repetition can be just as effective as dramatic formal shifts. The softened bridge introduces keys and atmosphere, but the groove never disappears; it simply recedes and then reasserts itself.
SOEN uses dynamic contrast with a compressed modern metal sound. Nearly every track on Reliance operates on some version of the same dynamic logic: atmospheric or restrained openings give way to heavier, denser sections, often followed by a bridge that pulls back before a final push. Some might find this feeling formulaic, but this consistency gives the album a strong internal logic.
“Mercenary” exemplifies this well. A clean guitar intro and harmonized vocals lead into a chorus that expands both dynamically and texturally. The bridge deliberately softens the energy, allowing space for a melodic guitar solo that builds contour without overwhelming the arrangement. Similarly, “Discordia” moves fluidly between mellow verses, heavy chorus riffs, and a tightly coordinated interlude that emphasizes ensemble precision before transitioning into a breakdown.
What’s notable is how rarely these contrasts aim for maximal impact. Even the heaviest sections are carefully contained, and the quieter moments are purposeful. This restraint gives Reliance a sense of emotional control that aligns closely with its sonic design.
Joel Ekelöf’s vocal approach plays a key role in maintaining that balance. Throughout the album, vocals function as a focal point and emotional regulator, shaping intensity rather than escalating it. Layered harmonies, doubling, and carefully applied effects are used consistently, creating a predictable vocal presence that integrates smoothly into the broader compressed sonic palette.
On “Draconian,” piano and vocals establish the harmonic tone before the full band enters, with vocal layering becoming increasingly prominent toward the track’s conclusion. “Indifferent” shifts the focus even further, foregrounding vocals within a softer, more open arrangement built around piano, synths, and orchestral strings. The reduced use of vocal effects here creates a sense of intimacy that contrasts effectively with the album’s heavier material without breaking its cohesion.
Produced, recorded, and mixed by Alexander Backlund at Fascination Street Studios, Reliance has a production approach that prioritizes clarity and consistency. Dense sections remain articulate, with guitars, keys, and vocals carefully layered to avoid frequency clutter. Open passages feel spacious without becoming diffuse, thanks to controlled use of reverb and sustained tones.
The closing track, “Vellichor,” is a revealing example of this philosophy. A march-like drum feel and sustained bass tones underpin an expansive, reverberant sound field built from clean guitar harmonies and wordless vocal textures. The track resists a dramatic peak, opting instead for a subdued dynamic arc that reinforces the album’s preference for atmosphere and continuity over climax.
Taken as a whole, Reliance is not an album that seeks to redefine SOEN’s sound. Instead, it continues it. The recurring structural patterns, chug-centric writing, and unified production choices suggest a band confident in its identity and more interested in deepening that identity than challenging it.
For listeners attuned to rhythm, arrangement, and sonic architecture, Reliance offers a clear consistency of intent. It’s a record built on alignment, consistent groove and form, heaviness and restraint, atmosphere and clarity, and it holds that alignment from start to finish.
In that sense, Reliance lives up to its title not through grand statements, but through dependable craft. That’s the short of it!
