SOEN

Memorial SILVER LINING MUSIC

CC

Big sound but few surprises on Swedish prog metallers’ sixth album. Soen will be hurriedly hot-footing their way up more rungs of the ladder towards mainstream metal acceptance with Memorial, but what does that mean for prog fans? Their last studio release, Imperial, put clear water between those early Tool comparisons and lazy links to drummer Martin Lopez’s old associates Opeth. Memorial finds the left-leaning metallers in fine fettle, but adventurism feels at a minimum. Sure, the album wraps up with the surprise ballad Vitals, an expertly formed chunk of heart-tugging lucidity amid the distorted bombast, but elsewhere there are few surprises. Opener Sincere is a fun romp worthy of gracing an arena, while lead single Unbreakable is high on hooks as skilful singer Joel Ekelöf struts his stuff. Then…

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Prog (Digital) - 1 Issue, Issue 142

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