Initially formed in 2004, it was in May 2010 that the formation of Soen was officially announced. The original lineup consisted of former Opeth drummer Martin Lopez, Testament and Sadus bassist Steve Di Giorgio, Willowtree vocalist Joel Ekelof and guitaris Kim Platbarzdis. The first song “Fraccion” was released on the band’s official website in October 2010.   Funding member drummer Martin Lopez, describes Soen’s Music as “melodic, heavy and intricate”.   Since Lopez and Joel Ekelof formed the group, Soen have never shied away from exploration and analysis of self or society, both as musicians and expressionists. 2012’s “Cognitive” beat a firmly heavy, progressive metal path, before 2014’s “Tellurian” saw Soen star to to stride freely into their own power and unique visions. Their third offering, “Lykaia”, was a conceptual journey exploring earthier places.   Soen’s fourth album, “Lotus” is another journey using a different set of perspective. The Album was released on February 1st 2019 via Silver Lining Music. Produced by David Castillo and Inaki Marconi at Ghostwards Studio and Studio 6 between July and October 2018. “Lotus” contains dissertations on modern society such as “Rival”, “Covenant” and “Martyrs” that are the fraught with poetic, finitely designed confusion and chaos. Specific meanings, however, remain at once deeply personal and wholly universal.   Produced by Iñaki Marconi and the band, “Imperial” (2021) was mixed and mastered by Kane Churko, who has worked with the likes of Ozzy Osbourne and Bob Dylan.  Eight crisp, sharp, and supremely constructed songs spanning frustration, reflection and hope, “Imperial” is the most fierce and dynamic release of Soen’s journey, which will engage the listener immediately and sustain long after this crazy time has passed, its rich details destined to make it a classic metal album of this era.   IMPERIAL: #16 German Album Chart #17 Finnish Album Chart #9 Swiss Album Chart   “‘IMPERIAL’ is emotional and epic, full of hope and frustration – the panopticon of a tough year. It’s an intelligent, yet deeply moving piece of music” – Metal Hammer Germany   “Between tracks like the tender ‘Illusion’ and the banging opener ‘Lumerian’ lies all the skillfully exercised scope of the SOEN universe” – Classic Rock Germany   “Sharp prog metal delivered with passion and vigour” – PROG “One of the most solid bands out there” – Ghost Cult   “Another killer album by a band who continues their way to the absolute top!” – Aardschok   “One of the most remarkable releases so far of 2021!” – HeadBangers LifeStyle   “This album contains 8 monster songs and simply doesn't have a weak moment.” – Progwereld   “IMPERIAL is an artistically constructed entity - an almost spiritual experience.” – Soundi   “Let yourself be carried on this majestic journey and let yourself be flooded by emotions and sensations you never knew music can produce. If the rest of the music to be released in 2021 is up to these standards, we are golden.” – Tuonela Magazine   “Each song could be released as a single. Definitely one of the best albums of the beginning of this year for me.” – Kaaoszine   “Short, distinguished & well balanced, IMPERIAL is released 2 years after the excellent ‘LOTUS’ and shows again the high-class level of the quintet" – METALLIAN Magazine “This mix of assassins riff & strong melodies the band propose is without contest, IMPERIAL which is aptly named, is an album where every piece, totally every piece is in place” – Rock Hard Magazine France “Unique distinctive sound" – Metal Hammer Italy “Artistic maturity achieved” – Rock Hard Italy   SOEN: Joel Ekelöf – Vocals Martin Lopez – Drums Lars Enok Åhlund – Keyboards and Guitar Cody Ford – Lead Guitar Oleksii “Zlatoyar” Kobel – Bass

Texas-based New Southern Gothic outfit OCEANS OF SLUMBER transmogrify on incredible new album, Starlight and Ash. The chrysalis stage that lasted from “Winter” (2016) to wildly applauded “Oceans Of Slumber” (2020) is now over. Equipped with a profoundly deep musical background, a staunch reverence for the American South, and starry-eyed artistic curiosity, OCEANS OF SLUMBER have created a sonic expression like no other. They’ve become singular, the first entry (and likely not the last) into a style that can only be called New Southern Gothic. Fronted by the inimitable power, range, and grace of vocalist Cammie Beverly, “Starlight and Ash” posits OCEANS OF SLUMBER in a league of their own. This is as much eloquent extensions of famed singer-songwriters Nick Cave and Chris Stapleton as it is the heartbreaking pulse of Type O Negative and Katatonia. “Starlight and Ash” isn’t Metal, but its edges are.