Never ones to take the restrained path, on their sixth studio albumMemorial, Soen face down the ills and ways of current society with a crisp, wounded venom that betrays their pain, anger and frustrations. Each guitar carries a greater serrated edge, each melody a richer heart, each lyric a soul and spleen venting definitive proclamation. At the same time, Soens unique blend of progression, aggression, and beauty shows more maturity than ever before.

The dovetail of melodic greatness and face-crushingly heavy guitars and rhythms onMemorialis glorious. Theres the proud power-stride of Sincere and the sheer power of Unbreakable, Martin Lopezs drums driving deep, the symphonic beauty of Hollowed (featuring guest vocals by Elisa), and the rousing roar of Icon, with the trademark vocals of Joel Ekelf as emotionally evocative as ever. Throughout, Oleksii Zlatoyar Kobels bass supplies a thick river of support, while Lars Enok hlund and Cody Lee Ford supply consistently dynamic, brilliant twin guitar work.

Finishing with the beautiful, tragic, Pink Floyd-doused ballad Vitals,Memorialis the result of brave, emotional, and evocative artists finding their best stride yet amidst global chaos and madness. Soen have been building up to this moment for years; now theyre here, Memorial deserves universal acclaim as a truly inspired modern hard rock classic.