Metal Storm logo
Soen - Memorial



7.9 | 201 votes |
Release date: 1 September 2023
Style: Alternative metal, Progressive metal

Owners:

49 have it
36 want it


01. Sincere
02. Unbreakable
03. Violence
04. Fortress
05. Hollowed [feat. Elisa]
06. Memorial
07. Incendiary
08. Tragedian
09. Icon
10. Vitals

Staff review by
nikarg
Rating:
N/A
If you want to reach more people with your music, do you have to compromise the quality of said music? Memorial proves that you don’t necessarily have to, but it is also not easy to have your cake and eat it too.

Read more ››
published 11.09.2023 | Comments (10)

Found in 40 lists
Top lists



Comments

Comments: 27   Visited by: 469 users
31.05.2023 - 06:40
Rating: 8
24emd
Theory Snob
If it's anything like Imperial, I'll be looking forward to it.
----
"I am too stupid to be human, and I lack common sense." - Proverbs 30:2
"Music? Well, it's just entertainment, folks!" - Devin Townsend

Best 2024 Albums
Loading...
01.06.2023 - 01:37
Rating: 7
Vellichor

Hell yeah can’t wait
Loading...
01.09.2023 - 11:04
Rating: 6
Zersorger

I bet you could say that before but now the song's really sound like each other.
Loading...
01.09.2023 - 13:54
Rating: 9
Dark Forever
Ruído Sonoro
Well, I love it. I'll admit there's nothing here substantially different from what they've done in the past, but it's still a beautifuly crafted album. Great production, great riffs in Unbreakable, Fortress, Memorial, Incendiary and Icon, the ballads Hollowed and Vitals are stunning and I love how Joel seems to be exploring more the raspier side of his voice. The drum fills are top-notch as usual. Perhaps the only thing I'd change would be to remove the song Tragedian, it's a very straightforward ballad and in a album already with two great ones, it adds nothing.
----
Taste the DARK...
... and you'll live FOREVER!
Loading...
01.09.2023 - 15:07
Rating: 7
Vellichor

Only listened twice so far but I gotta say this is easily my least favorite yet
Loading...
01.09.2023 - 16:12
Rating: 7
musclassia

It's alright, but considering I thought Imperial was potentially their stronget, I did find this pretty impactless; his vocals are still as compelling as ever, but the songs themselves seemed to lack a certain something, at least on a first listen (I may give it more goes in case it changes my mind, but also I'm not sure I'm sufficiently interested in Soen to do so)
Loading...
01.09.2023 - 17:22
Rating: 9
The Melting Snow

Don't know what people are on about with ratings. I'm loving the album. great vocals, lyrics and instrumentation.

I think Soen is suffering from what all bands do when they're no longer a "new" band. For the first few albums people take what's presented and accept it as the band's identity... from then on people start thinking the band should put out what fans hope to hear, not what the band's own creativity produces.

I can't find any fault with the album. I feel all band members continue to improve in their respective departments and the overall output is hence stronger too.
Loading...
01.09.2023 - 20:04
Rating: 7
silenius

Sounds like old Soen mixed with dad-rock.
Loading...
01.09.2023 - 23:11
Rating: 8
SebaRaven36

A very solid album with those melodies that characterize Soen this work is noted that has a good production in his lyrics, each Soen album gives you a distant surprise obviously positive, an album recommended for the collector of progressive sound
Loading...
02.09.2023 - 01:43
Rating: 8
24emd
Theory Snob
Written by The Melting Snow on 01.09.2023 at 17:22

Don't know what people are on about with ratings.

They are called opinions, and are thus meaningless. If you're enjoying the album, awesome, but obviously not everyone will.

Disclaimer - I like this band and have not listened to this album yet.
----
"I am too stupid to be human, and I lack common sense." - Proverbs 30:2
"Music? Well, it's just entertainment, folks!" - Devin Townsend

Best 2024 Albums
Loading...
02.09.2023 - 02:11
Rating: 8
Guib
Thrash Talker
As far as I'm concerned people aren't on about anything. 7.8 is a decent rating. I'll give this thing a spin later tonight.
----
- Headbanging with mostly clogged arteries to that stuff -
Guib's List Of Essential Albums
- Also Thrash Paradise
Thrash Here
Loading...
02.09.2023 - 02:48
Rating: 8
24emd
Theory Snob
It's a continuation of Imperial, which isn't a bad thing since I love that album - it's definitely not as enjoyable but equally consistent, meaning across the board there's a lot to like. It would be nice to see them experiment with different structures and song lengths, because globally everything seems very close to the previous albums, mainly regarding the aforementioned structures, but also riffs and solos, and their tendency to have a set tempo for their ballads. Individual highlights include "Fortress" with its twin lead guitar, "Hollowed" with excellent female vocals and effective use of acoustic guitar, and "Memorial", with (as another user stated) Ekelöf using much more grit to his vocals. The midsection of "Icon" is also quite good, it has a much darker and mysterious vibe than most of what Soen do. I also agree that "Tragedian" is the weakest and pretty pointless in proportion to the rest of the album. "Vitals" is a good ballad when it isn't reminding me of Avril Lavigne though.

I'll put it at a low 8 for now, I like it a lot overall, but the songs themselves don't offer quite enough to rank it as high as the excellent Imperial.
----
"I am too stupid to be human, and I lack common sense." - Proverbs 30:2
"Music? Well, it's just entertainment, folks!" - Devin Townsend

Best 2024 Albums
Loading...
02.09.2023 - 06:10
Rating: 8
Guib
Thrash Talker
Yup, great album, still not a fan of "Violence" but overall this is awesome.
----
- Headbanging with mostly clogged arteries to that stuff -
Guib's List Of Essential Albums
- Also Thrash Paradise
Thrash Here
Loading...
02.09.2023 - 19:18
Rating: 7
AndyMetalFreak
A Nice Guy
I think this album is great, yes it's a wee bit on the soft side but the performance is solid and the songwriting is great, especially the solo's. The title track stands out for me most, but I can't say there are any tracks here I actually dislike tbh.
Loading...
03.09.2023 - 05:39
Rating: 6
metalbrat

A big letdown for me. The band is a favorite and I have loved all their previous outings. This album seems to be very much on a softer side and except a couple of tracks, rest falls under a category 'Soen Generic'. Tried to re-listen lot many times but none of the songs are memorable for me.
----
In the beginning I was made of clay. Then I bit the apple and they changed me to metal 🤘
Loading...
03.09.2023 - 14:16
Rating: 7
Novas

Written by The Melting Snow on 01.09.2023 at 17:22

I think Soen is suffering from what all bands do when they're no longer a "new" band. For the first few albums people take what's presented and accept it as the band's identity... from then on people start thinking the band should put out what fans hope to hear, not what the band's own creativity produces.


True. Their first album sounded like a revival Tool comeback album, but they since strayed away from that sound and into their own prog-alt metal sound that could be considered radio-friendly/commercial. But it fits. There's really no other band that creates their sound. But this album is not as great as their previous two. I'd say it's like a twin to Lykaia, but little better. It is a more straightforward approach. And his vocals are raspier than usual, which is not a bad touch. Still a good one
Loading...
03.09.2023 - 14:30
Rating: 6
Metren
Dreadrealm
A big shrug of an album, even worse than the previous one, I’d say. I’ve read many comments saying that it’s a supposed grower. The problem with that, for me, is that no track here is enjoyable or intriguing enough to invite more listens. Should I want to listen to music that’s exactly like this, but well-written, I’ll just go listen to Lotus for the millionth time.
----
My one-man project's Bandcamp with free downloads: https://dreadrealm.bandcamp.com/
Loading...
04.09.2023 - 00:29
Rating: 8
Samot

Amazing!! It's not that strong at first listen but it gets better and better!! top quality material as expected...
----
Um, Dois, Três, Quatro! Yeah! PORRA!!!
Loading...
05.09.2023 - 22:04
Rating: 7
Jaro

I hope they make a more proggy album down the line still, but this is great fun anyway. The title track is insanely catchy.
Loading...
07.09.2023 - 07:40
Rating: 9
TheCrazyGoat

"The tyrant stares defiant at his feeble prey
But when the weakened unite their strength
Revenge will lit the fire
Burning all our past away"

Soen as always made a masterpiece
Loading...
07.09.2023 - 13:22
Rating: 8
24emd
Theory Snob
Written by TheCrazyGoat on 07.09.2023 at 07:40

"The tyrant stares defiant at his feeble prey
But when the weakened unite their strength
Revenge will lit the fire
Burning all our past away"

Soen as always made a masterpiece

Yeah, I forgot to mention it, I always enjoy Soen's lyrics.
----
"I am too stupid to be human, and I lack common sense." - Proverbs 30:2
"Music? Well, it's just entertainment, folks!" - Devin Townsend

Best 2024 Albums
Loading...
11.09.2023 - 00:50
Rating: 7
MetalManic

Scandinavian 3 Days Grace.
Loading...
12.09.2023 - 07:00
Rating: 8
24emd
Theory Snob
Written by MetalManic on 11.09.2023 at 00:50

Scandinavian 3 Days Grace.

You've said that on the review now too. There's almost no crossover between these bands, and tbh 3 Days Grace are very below average compared to Soen
----
"I am too stupid to be human, and I lack common sense." - Proverbs 30:2
"Music? Well, it's just entertainment, folks!" - Devin Townsend

Best 2024 Albums
Loading...
14.09.2023 - 10:23
Rating: 7
Tom Muller

Ok but kind of repetive
----
Can you see it
Loading...
17.09.2023 - 08:45
JoHn Doe

First listen, a bit disappointing, very safe, lacks any exciting moments, no oomph, I don't know how to say it, I wish it were more entertaining.

Maybe it will grow on me with repeated listens, but I have my doubts.
----
I thought the two primary purposes for the internet were cat memes and overreactions.
Loading...
20.09.2023 - 18:25
Rating: 8
Guib
Thrash Talker
Written by 24emd on 12.09.2023 at 07:00

Written by MetalManic on 11.09.2023 at 00:50

Scandinavian 3 Days Grace.

You've said that on the review now too. There's almost no crossover between these bands, and tbh 3 Days Grace are very below average compared to Soen


Not even sure how one gets to compare those 2 tbh.
----
- Headbanging with mostly clogged arteries to that stuff -
Guib's List Of Essential Albums
- Also Thrash Paradise
Thrash Here
Loading...
22.09.2023 - 12:24
Rating: 8
Hooman

The best thing about this album is the album art. I love how they kept the snake motif of their previous art with the snake-like curved pipe here.
Loading...

Hits total: 6274 | This month: 135