Album Review: Soen – Reliance
Artist: Soen
Title: Reliance
Label: Silver Lining Music
Release date: January 16th, 2026
Country: Sweden
Format reviewed: High-quality digital recording
Album Review: Soen – Reliance via Silver Lining Music by Pegah
There are moments in life when we are forced to rely on someone or something just to keep going. Yet, the most vital reliance is the one we place in ourselves, especially during times when no one seems to understand us, when it feels as though the entire world has turned its back on reality. This is what happening in Iran today. And there is no more fitting moment to speak about it than now, as Soen release their latest album, “Reliance”.
As thousands of Iranians are being killed simply for having trusted the wrong powers, their voices echo a single demand: change. They deserve freedom and a better life. Therefore, “Reliance” becomes a reflection on trust, endurance, and the courage to reclaim one’s own voice.
The album opens with “Primal,” driven by a powerful rhythm that immediately evokes protest and the raw strength required for change. The track carries the energy of a riot, a sense of unrest boiling beneath the surface. Lyrically and emotionally, it speaks of how our minds become constrained, how dependency on authority is slowly imposed upon us. Then comes the awakening: the realization that we are surrounded by enemies on our own land. They are not saviors, only an illusion crafted to control belief. To reclaim our land and our freedom, the journey must begin within ourselves. We must break free from this poisonous dependency.
“Mercenary” follows as another epic statement, addressing those who infiltrate movements under false pretenses. These figures appear alongside the people, yet their true mission is to silence those brave enough to stand by their beliefs. To me, they belong to no land. Mercenaries pose a grave danger to any nation, pretending to stand with the people while ultimately working to erase the protesters. The track raises a crucial and haunting question: Do you dare to bleed for your belief?
“Discordia” turns inward and becomes more personal, focusing on internal conflict and isolation. It portrays a lonely individual who distances himself from everyone until he becomes lost within his own thoughts. The track begins lighter than its predecessors, but gradually grows heavier, mirroring the increasing weight of solitude pressing down on the soul.
“Axis” returns to the theme of resistance, authenticity, and unity. In many ways, it feels like a continuation of “Primal.” The soundscape accelerates, reinforcing the urgency of breaking free from domination and reclaiming identity. The message is clear and powerful:
“We need to stand side by side
Before we fade away.”
“Huntress” once again explores inner struggle, but through a more symbolic lens. The line “a silent moon on the rising” suggests change, quiet and mysterious, yet inevitable. “Unbound” shifts the tone back toward confrontation, carried by a stronger rhythmic force. It feels like a voice rising from the battlefield, from those still fighting for salvation.
“We are unbound
Killing our way to divinity
We claim the crown…”
These lines capture both defiance and desperation, a collective cry from those bound together until the very end.
“Indifferent” is one of the album’s most emotional moments. Dominated by piano, it feels like a calm after the storm, but a sorrowful one. It evokes the feeling of returning home to emptiness, a cold wind striking your face, leaving behind only forgotten memories and emotional scars.
“Drifter” presents yet another perspective on struggle, while “Draconian” reads as a confession of helplessness, a plea for light and salvation after enduring loss and destruction. Finally, the album closes with “Vellichor,” a fitting conclusion that gathers the album’s themes into a final reflection:
“We are common
Trading secrets veiled in embers
Wear the honest alibi
To the gallows.”
Today, many people continue to rely on rotten ideologies whose emptiness has already been exposed throughout history. Yet I believe that better days will come and “Into the dark, we’ll find the light.” The answer lies in relying on ourselves, on the people, not on those who “build their thrones on our broken backs.” This struggle is unfolding across many lands, and it must not be forgotten. We must be their voice. 8/10
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8/10 To Greatness and Glory!
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