ALBUM REVIEW: Soen – Atlantis


 

It is hard to believe that the Swedish supergroup, Soen, has only been making music together for ten years. Their first full-length, Cognitive procured high praise for its progressive proficiency and emotional maturity. They have stood out for their Tool-like compelling intensity and wide range of sentiment. They have remarkably managed to expand on these ripened abilities with each album they release. Now this quintet is getting ready to celebrate their tin anniversary by releasing a concert film of their classic numbers and a cover with live orchestral accompaniment.

 

They have reimagined thirteen songs with an eight-piece orchestra and the results are exceptional.

They filmed this special session at the legendary Atlantis Grammofon Studio in Stockholm, Sweden last December.. Built in the forties, the space was originally a movie house. The cinematic design of the building feeds into the music mecca that it has become. It has hosted some of the greats like Abba, the Scorpions, and Elvis Costello over the years and shows no sign of slowing down.

 

The concert begins with the number, ‘Antagonist’ which shows a spacious, warm room that complements the band’s pensive, yet passionate playing perfectly. The live interpretation for this piece is much softer than the original recording on Imperial yet the strings and added vocals during the chorus gives it a different kind of strength. This holds true to a lot of the numbers including ‘Illusion’ and ‘Savia’. All the new elements they bring into this recording covers each sublime original like a warm blanket and transforms them into dazzling new diamonds. The second song, ‘Trials’ highlights the masterful, yet melancholy guitar and bass work by Cody Lee Ford and Oleksii ‘Zlatoyar’ Kobel because they are accentuated by the melody being plucked alongside them on the keys of a grand piano. Including tunes like ‘Jinn’ and ‘Modesty’, the execution of these classics presents the guitarwork, bass, and percussion in new light.

The strategically-placed bare-bulbed lamps in the studio gives the space a thoughtful and tender feel. Vocalist Joel Ekelöf sits in the middle of the room and shares his stories thoughtfully. On ‘Lunacy’ and ‘Lotus’ his vocals are fierce yet composed. There is a glint in his eye that is concentrated, yet clearly excited. He gives a slightly less polished performance, and the rawness cultivates a slight rasp that is still lush and tasty. His falsetto, vocal holds, and control is next to none. ‘Lucidity’ sways and sweeps the listener away with its saucy, jazzy vibe. Then they change things up with their gripping, bombastic, and soul wrenching delivery on ‘Savia’. Each piece has this incredible ability to maneuver into new territories and explore the astute capabilities of each musician. Their Slipknot cover, ‘Snuff’ has an eerie authenticity because it consciously exposes the heartbreaking content of Corey Taylor’s lyrics. Considering that the band’s own lyrics deal a lot with love and loss, they easily were able to capture the soul of this song. Near the end of the set we see their popular number, ‘Lascivious’ from Lotus (Silver Lining Music). The guitar riffs dance with the strings and it ignites a furious burst of earnest and weighty emotions. The good feelings continue on ‘Fortune’, where they take the song’s original heaviness and make it more into a classic rock ballad.

 

 

The touching and poignant playing throughout this set is hypnotizing from beginning to end. There is such a variety and uniqueness about these live versions that you’ll want to keep both the performances and originals in rotation. Whether you choose to experience this 80 minute show of gorgeously provocative music by DVD, vinyl, or digital download you will savor each moment.

Buy the album here:

https://lnk.to/SoenATLANTIS

8 / 10

RAGIN ROSIE