SOEN unleash the crushing second single ‘Mercenary’ from forthcoming new studio album Reliance, set for release on January 16th via Silver Lining Music. For pre-orders go to this location. With Reliance, their seventh studio album, the Swedish progressive metal powerhouse, spearheaded by Joel Ekelöf (vocals) and Martin Lopez (drums), continue to find incredible new pathways into the spatial areas between light and dark, loud and calm, heavy and soothing. HONESTY is what runs through the album’s writing, where emotional gravity and raw power coexist without compromise. It’s a duality that defines SOEN’s sound — the willingness to confront darkness not for spectacle, but for truth. Nowhere is that balance more evident than on ‘Mercenary’, a track that channels the weight of inherited violence and the personal cost of conviction with unflinching clarity. “‘Mercenary’ is about the violence we inherit, which then sees hatred seeping into lives -and life- which in turn shapes generations,” comments vocalist and frontman Joel Ekelöf. “It also addresses betrayal, about how that can see us ‘crowning vultures into kings’”, furthers founding member and drummer Martin Lopez.
“At its heart, ‘Mercenary’ speaks to the cost of belief,” Ekelöf adds before Lopez affirms that “musically, it carries the essence of SOEN – heavy yet melodic and built on power and precision.” Watch/Listen to ‘Mercenary’ at this location – video by Freakshot Film. The recently released first single, ‘Primal’, is a provoking, barrel-chested roar detailing the existential fight between the human spirit and our current world, with Ekelöf’s incredible vocals leading the heavy charge. Watch/Listen to ‘Primal’ here – video by Freakshot Film. With Lars Enok Åhlund (keyboards & guitar), Cody Lee Ford (guitar), and Stefan Stenberg (bass) standing shoulder to shoulder with Ekelöf and Lopez, the lush continual evolution of SOEN’s sound soars and with its seamless march across deeply human emotional terrain, SOEN’s music continues to explore the human mind, heart and soul with a visionary duty of care, plus an extra edge of heavy. SOEN are gearing up for a packed 2026, with an array of festival appearances and headline shows already on the horizon. Following the band’s acclaimed recent tours, fans can expect an even more intense live experience as the band bring their trademark blend of power, precision, and emotion to stages across the globe.
Confirmed festival dates as follows, additional dates and festival announcements will be revealed soon. For more information and tickets visit: https://www.soenmusic.com/tour 2026 Shows:
29 January / 2 February – 70000 Tons Of Metal
6 June – Plzen / Metalfest Open Air (Germany)
4 July – Joensuu / ilovaari Festival (Finland)
7 August – Kortrijk / Alcatraz Festival (Belgium)
14 August – Carhaix / Motocultor Festival (France)
15 August – Dinkelsbühl / Summer Breeze Open Air (Germany)
28-30 August – Campulung Muscel / Posada Rock Festival (Romania) Thoughtful, provocative, beautiful and brutal, Reliance is a journey you need to take. Reliance will be released on January 16th 2025, via Silver Lining Music. Available as a CD, 12” Vinyl Album in Black and colour variants, digital formats and special D2C products and bundles. For pre-orders, go to this location. Reliance Track Listing: - Primal
- Mercenary
- Discordia
- Axis
- Huntress
- Unbound
- Indifferent
- Drifter
- Draconian
- Vellichor
Produced, recorded and mixed by Alexander Backlund at Fascination Street Studios.
Mastered by Tony Lindgren. SOEN:
Joel Ekelöf – Vocals
Martin Lopez – Drums
Lars Enok Åhlund – Keyboards and Guitar
Cody Ford – Lead Guitar
Stefan Stenberg – Bass | 
