Swedish progressive metal outfit SOEN have released the crushing new single "Primal," the latest preview of their seventh album "Reliance," due January 16 via Silver Lining Music. The track showcases a significantly heavier and more aggressive approach than the band's earlier work, demonstrating the continued evolution that began with "Lotus" in 2019. "Primal" features pummeling rhythms, gritty guitar tones and vocalist Joel Ekelöf's dynamic range shifting between haunting cleans and powerful belting.
The accompanying music video is a stark, visually intense piece that complements the song's raw energy, directed by the band's longtime visual collaborator who has crafted a dystopian narrative that reflects the album's thematic concerns about humanity's relationship with technology and nature. Advance reviews for "Reliance" have praised its atmospheric depth, with several critics noting that SOEN have successfully carved a unique space in the progressive metal landscape that distinguishes them from the TOOL comparisons that dogged their earlier releases.
Drummer Martin Lopez, formerly of OPETH, anchors "Primal" with a performance that balances polyrhythmic complexity with a groove-oriented approach that keeps the song accessible despite its technical underpinnings. The guitar work, layered with both clean arpeggios and crushing distorted passages, creates a dynamic contrast that has become SOEN's calling card. Producer Iñaki Marconi, who also handled "Imperial" and "Atlantis," has given "Reliance" a warm yet powerful sonic character that allows every instrument to breathe within the dense arrangements. The band has announced a European tour beginning in February, with North American dates expected to follow in the spring. "Reliance" is available for pre-order on limited vinyl editions, with a special box set including bonus acoustic recordings of selected album tracks.