Album review: SOEN – Lotus

Silver Lining Music [Release date 01.02.19]

Swedish based progressive metal band Soen were formed in the mid 00′s, and are an extreme metal supergroup of sorts, with their founder members having a collective CV of Opeth, Testament, Death, Willowtree and Sadus. Their 2012 debut, on Spinefarm, received much acclaim, and February 2019 sees their fourth album. And what a lovely (and heavy) slab of metal it is.

Opener ‘Opponent’ is a polished blast with rhythmic staccato and intricate fills, some nice layering that at times lets the keyboards through, pace changes, and a break for a light twiddle. We’re almost into Math Metal territory here. Lascivious has a similar feel, with a much longer pace change segment in the middle, this time more piano led. The guitars and bass are often crunchy, and the drums get a roll or fill in at every opportunity. The latter part of the song soars a little, giving a more epic feel.

Bar the 8 minute closer, most of the tracks are in the 5-6 minute region and there is at times a King Crimson feel. There’s also a large Tool influence. The album is a metallic skin shedding soul searching journey.

That final track is more exploration than journey, from rushing to drifting and back.

Soen are really in a category of their own, juxtaposing darkness and escape in each almighty breath. My only criticism of this marvellous new album is that some of the tracks aren’t unique enough, but it’s an album you’ll enjoy beginning to end. ****

Review by Joe Geesin


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Josh Taerk Sunday Sessions 2024

Latest session: Sunday 25 February
Next session: Sunday 14 April

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio



David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 March 2024.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 19 March 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 1 April 2024

NESTOR Victorious (Napalm)
CADET CARTER Strangers (SBAM Records)
ARENA What’s Your Damage (indie)
ONLAP Never Too Late (AFM Records)
BLACK SONIC PEARLS Black Butterfly (indie)
RENDEZVOUS POINT Don’t Look Up (Long Branch Records)
WILDSTREET Come Down (Golden Robot Records)

Featured Albums w/c 1 April 2024

09:00-12:00 CIRCLE OF FRIENDS Cherokee Moon (Escape Music)
12:00-13:00 MYRATH Karma (earMUSIC)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023


To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to a Twitter account



Popular (last 10 days)


This entry was posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews and tagged , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply