Soen Brings The Memorial Tour To Charlotte

A Night Of Prog Metal At The Underground

Swedish progressive metal stalwarts Soen recently brought their Memorial Tour to the Queen City bringing Charlotte music fans a night to remember. It has been more than two years since the band was in the area so I knew this was a show not to be missed and let me tell you that Soen did not disappoint. 

When I arrived at The Underground, hardcore fans were already packed into the venue gaining their coveted spots at the rail. One couple had made a custom LED Soen circular sign and another had custom fingernails done with the Soen logo. It was clear from the get-go that Soen fans are one of a kind and everyone was hyped up for the show. 

The evening started out with a short set from alternative prog band Trope. Led by vocalist Diana Studenberg, the two-piece outfit really had a unique vibe. Accompanied by guitarist Dave Thompson, Studenberg’s vocals were a real highlight bringing a combination of soothing tones and all-out rock to the table. Trope was definitely something a little different and in today’s world of a million bands that sound the same, it was a refreshing change. You can check out their song “Lambs” here. 

Next up was the moment we had all been waiting for. The lights in the venue dimmed and the stage lights gave the appearance of a nighttime storm with lightning crashes. As the band made their way out, the Dylan Thomas poem “Do not go gentle into that good night” was being played over the venue’s loudspeakers. It was the perfect way to kick off a brilliant set from Soen and the crowd was pumped and ready to go. 

Lead vocalist Joel Ekelof sounded amazing as he led Soen through a setlist heavy with songs from the Memorial and Imperial albums, his voice resonating throughout The Underground. The band sounded phenomenal with guitarist Cody Lee Ford working the crowd as he brought the heat while Oleksii Kobel kept the basslines moving and grooving as his hair whipped around him at a frenetic pace. Lars Ahlund rotated between guitar and keyboards depending on the song, sometimes manning both. Drummer Martin Lopez was well hidden behind his kit but his presence could be felt with the thundering beats. 

 The band brought their own lighting gear and the stage was nicely enveloped in a bevy of blue lights and accompanying fog setting the atmosphere. The lights would change throughout the set further enhancing the mood as we went from dark and mysterious to high intensity much like Soen’s songs. In fact, that is one of the things that I love best about Soen and progressive metal in general. One moment you are deep in thought letting the almost orchestral music surround you and wash over you. The next moment you are jumping, fist high in the air as the guitar is searing and the rhythm section is pushing the ferocity of the beat. 

Soen has a few dates left on this US leg of the Memorial Tour before they head back overseas for the summer festival season. Be sure and check out their show when they hit up a city near you. 

See the Full Gallery of the Night Here!

If you captured any shots of the night, feel free to tag us on social media at Shutter 16 Magazine and throw in #Shutter16 and #TwitFromThePit for the world to see. 

Tour Dates:

Wed, JUN 5

Rickshaw Theatre

Vancouver, Canada

Thu, JUN 6

Neumos

Seattle, WA

Sat, JUN 8

Metro Music Hall

Salt Lake City, UT

Sun, JUN 9

Bluebird Theater

Denver, CO

Aug. 9 – 10, 2024

Hellsinki Metal Festival 2024

Helsinki, Finland

Sat, AUG 10

Bloodstock Open Air 2024

Walton On Trent, United Kingdom

Aug. 17 – 18, 2024

Dynamo Metal Fest 2024

Eindhoven, Netherlands

Fri, SEP 6

ProgPower USA 2024

Atlanta, GA

Sat, SEP 7

Eastside Bowl

Nashville, TN

Sun, SEP 8

Bogart’s

Cincinnati, OH

Tue, SEP 10

The Forge

Joliet, IL

Wed, SEP 11

Magic Stick

Detroit, MI

Fri, SEP 13

City Folk Festival 2024

Ottawa, Canada

Sat, SEP 14

Salle Montaigne

Québec, Canada

Mon, SEP 16

Palladium

Worcester, MA

Tue, SEP 17

House Of Independents

Asbury Park, NJ

https://www.soenmusic.com/

https://www.tropetheband.com