Melodic, brooding and boldly assured. Cognitive is Soen’s 2012 debut: a striking first statement from a progressive-metal supergroup.

The short version

The 2012 debut album by Soen, a Sweden-based, multi-national progressive-metal supergroup led by former Opeth drummer Martin Lopez and vocalist Joel Ekelöf. Wearing its Tool and A Perfect Circle influences proudly, it pairs heavy, syncopated rhythms with soaring, emotional choruses and a melancholic, atmospheric mood. Melodic and accessible yet rhythmically intricate, and lifted by Ekelöf’s powerful voice, it announced a distinctive new band. A confident, cohesive debut, it laid the groundwork for one of modern prog metal’s most consistent acts.

A prog-metal supergroup

Soen came together around a formidable cast of players. Drummer Martin Lopez, best known for his work with Opeth, joined forces with vocalist Joel Ekelöf, guitarist Joakim Platbarzdis and the celebrated bassist Steve Di Giorgio, a veteran of Death, Testament and Sadus. This quartet brought serious pedigree to their debut, but Cognitive is far more than a supergroup on paper. Lopez’s intricate, syncopated drumming and Ekelöf’s emotive, powerful vocals give the band a clear identity of their own, even as the songs wear their influences openly. It was the beginning of a long, fruitful run.

The sound

Cognitive is melodic, Tool-inspired prog metal, brooding and atmospheric. Its debt to Tool and A Perfect Circle is unmistakable — in the syncopated, rhythmically heavy grooves, the dark, hypnotic textures and the dynamic quiet-to-loud swells — but Soen add their own melodic warmth and emotional directness. Ekelöf’s rich, expressive voice, recalling the singers of both Tool and Opeth, soars over Lopez’s inventive, tribal-tinged drumming and Di Giorgio’s supple, melodic bass. The songs favour mood and melody, building from mellow, introspective passages to big, cathartic choruses. Heavy yet accessible, melancholic yet uplifting, it is a polished and immersive debut.

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The songs

‘Fraccions’ was the band’s first song and remains a fine showcase for their heavy, syncopated groove and soaring melodies. ‘Oscillation’ is a standout, driven by Lopez’s intricate, offbeat drumming and a powerful chorus. And ‘Slithering’ is a brooding, atmospheric highlight that shows off the band’s darker, more hypnotic side.

Reception and legacy

Cognitive was warmly received, praised for its strong songwriting, its emotional depth and its polished, atmospheric sound — though many reviews noted just how closely it followed the Tool template. Even so, Ekelöf’s vocals and Lopez’s distinctive drumming marked Soen out as a band with real promise and personality. Over the following years, the band would steadily develop their own voice across a run of acclaimed albums, but Cognitive remains a strong, assured starting point. Today it is regarded as a fine debut and the foundation of one of modern progressive metal’s most respected names.

The verdict

Cognitive is an impressive first step: melodic, Tool-inspired prog metal built on syncopated grooves, brooding atmosphere and Ekelöf’s soaring voice. Come for the heavy ‘Fraccions’ and the intricate ‘Oscillation.’ Polished, emotional and immersive, it is essential listening for anyone who likes their progressive metal melodic, rhythmic and rich in mood — and the promising debut of a band who would go on to bigger things.

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