After getting hooked on Imperial, I decided to head back into the world of Soen to check out one of their newer albums, Memorial. As always, the production is pristine, and Soen knows how to build a sonic space that feels intentional—like every element has its place in the mix. But… not every journey hits as hard as the first time around.

Sincere starts strong with a lone guitar riff that launches into a high-octane charge. The band’s signature move—quiet breakdown followed by a crash back into heavy—lands well here, and the technical playing is tight as ever.

Unbreakable pulls the same trick with a piano intro that gives way to a wall of sound. I wish I could solo the bass for a moment—it’s got a killer tone and some grit that gets buried in the mix. Still, the track grooves hard and makes its point.

By the time we get to Violence, the name says it all. The intro punches you in the face with aggressive riffs, then drops into a stripped-down bass and drum groove that lets the vocals breathe. That kind of dynamic shift really elevates the song.

Fortress is pure chaos—but in a good way. It’s busy and layered, yet everything stays locked in like a musical tightrope walk. The rhythm guitar tone here is perfect, and I appreciate how seamlessly the keys blend into the background to support the sound.

Hallowed (Elisa) offers a breath of fresh air. The duet with Italian singer/songwriter Elisa gives the album some emotional depth, and the restrained heaviness lets the melody take center stage without losing intensity.

Memorial, the title track, hits hard with war drums and machine-gun triplets. The symphonic chorus swells are powerful and cinematic, and that unexpected guitar squeal? Chef’s kiss.

Now here’s where things started to lose me.

Incendiary felt like Memorial’s cousin that overstayed its welcome. Tragedian starts bluesy with vocals and keys, but despite its short runtime, it dragged for me. This is the part in a live show where I’d go grab another drink.

Icon tries to bring the grit back, but it started to blur into earlier tracks. And then we get to Vitals, which, despite some delicate piano work, felt more like the last dance at a wedding reception than a metal album closer. A bold choice—but not one that worked for me.

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Soen still brings serious musicianship and cinematic flair to their work, and there’s no doubt Memorial has its moments. But for me, Imperial packed more of a punch. That said, if you’re into polished, melodic progressive metal with room to breathe, give Memorial a spin—and decide for yourself.

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