We’ve hit a point in the world of rock and metal where brilliant guitarists fill every corner. The rise and fall of djent has left us with an abundance of uniquely gifted players, and technical metal is going through a bit of a heydey. If you are a guitar nerd, there is more than enough people making incredible noises out of a plank of wood with some strings to keep you going for a long, long time.
However, not everyone falls to their knees in worship of guitar excellence. Most rock and metal fans appreciate it – we wouldn’t be here without it – but to truly capture our hearts you need something else. You need music that has more than just musical mastery. It’s the question every technical metal band must answer, can you write songs?
Which brings us to Soen and their third album, Lykaia. If you scoff at the idea that a band needs more than incredible guitar playing to be worthy of your time, then you need read no further. Marcus Jidell is one hell of a guitarist, and this album is layered with a blend of heavy and melodic guitars that will tickle every bone in your body.
It’s for everyone else that the questions arise. For while Lykaia is in many ways a beautiful piece of work, there is no getting past the fact that it’s also occasionally quite dull. While tracks like ‘Sister’ suggest that Soen can craft music that is both perfectly played and infectious to the brain, it stands alone. They may be perfectly capable of astonishing music but those songs we mentioned, they are lacking.
Which is frustrating, for the musical canvas here is great. I’ve spoken of the guitar, but it’s not alone. You don’t need me to tell you that Martin Lopez (of Opeth fame) is a brilliant drummer while the melodies that run through these albums can switch from abrasive to captivating with ease. Tracks like ‘Stray’ at times shudders with heaviness and at others shivers with beauty. It’s an album that you can get caught up in. It’s just a shame that when you come out the other end, none of it has stuck.
Soen are a band for the musical nerds out there. A band for people who want to pore over the music and absorb every note. If, however, you need songs and hooks to sate your thirst then it’s probably one you can respectfully admire from afar.
