A Conversation with Martin López: Soen, Opeth, and the Road to “Reliance”’

A Conversation with Martin López: Soen, Opeth, and the Road to “Reliance”’

More than three decades into a career that’s shaped modern metal from multiple angles, Martin López remains one of the genre’s most thoughtful and quietly influential musicians. From his early days with Amon Amarth to his groundbreaking work with Opeth, López has always approached drumming—and songwriting—with a rare blend of precision, emotion, and humility. Now, as Soen prepares to release their seventh album, Reliance, López reflects on the band’s evolution, the values that drive their music, and the personal journey that brought him from Uruguay to Sweden and eventually to stages around the world.

In this conversation, López opens up about the creative process behind Reliance, the band’s recent tours, and the deep human themes that continue to shape Soen’s identity. He also looks back on the pivotal albums that defined his early career, offering candid insight into the moments that forged him as both a musician and a person.

We’re here with Martin López of Soen, and we’re going to ask him a few questions. First of all, what drew you to form Soen after your time in Opeth, and how did the vision for the band take shape?
I had always been writing songs, even while I was in Opeth, and I wanted to try something on my own. I wanted to experience that whole process—writing music, having great musicians play it, and seeing what would come out of it. It turned out pretty nice, so I sent the material to a few people, and suddenly we had a record deal. That was the start.

Soen’s music blends progressive metal with deeply emotional themes. How do you approach drumming in a way that serves both the technical and emotional sides of the music?
I’m a very song‑oriented drummer—or musician, really. I always try to play for the team and for the strength of the song. Mainly, I try not to get in the way. As a drummer, it’s easy to start throwing chops everywhere and ruin the mood, especially when the lyrics carry strong themes or deeper meaning. I try to be intelligent about my drumming: find the places where I can go wild or be more technical, and then know when to stay straight but groovy. I look for patterns that keep things interesting without taking over.

The new album is called Reliance. What does that title mean to you, and how does it shape the themes of the album?
It’s about dependence—specifically, having the courage to depend on each other as human beings. Lately there’s been this wave of self‑proclaimed “alpha males” saying you don’t need anyone, that all you need is money, that you shouldn’t have a partner or kids because they’ll slow you down, and once you’re rich everyone will want to be with you. All that stupidity.

In the band, we’re the complete opposite. We feel the main goal in life is to have good relationships, good friends, to love and be loved, and to be there for each other in good and bad times. It’s extremely important for society to bring back those values, which have been a bit lost lately.

You have a new single out called “Discordia.” Tell me a little about that track.
It’s a very different song for us—a different approach. We experimented with tunings and atmospheres. Lyrically, we usually don’t write such introverted lyrics, but this one is about being brave enough to put yourself out there and tell a story that might not be comfortable. We did it, and the song turned out really well. Even now, listening to it— it was released yesterday—I watched the video and it still hits me. It’s a deep one.

You recently toured with Dark Tranquillity. How did that go, and what were some highlights?
It went very well. It was fun for us because it was more of a melodic death metal tour, and we don’t play that kind of music. But we often end up on those festivals and tours anyway. It’s fun because we bring something different, and a lot of people seem to enjoy it even if it’s not what they usually listen to. It makes us believe that if the music is good, honest, and has value, people will give it a chance.

Does Soen plan to tour the States in support of Reliance?
Yes. We haven’t announced it yet, but we’ll be there very, very soon. The first proper tour for the album will be in the U.S. You’ll see us around soon. I think the announcement is coming next week, but I’m not sure I’m allowed to say that.

You and Joel have been doing this since 2010, and now you’re seven albums in. What makes the two of you work so well together?
We respect each other musically, and we’re good friends. You have to remember that when you have a band like this, your whole life revolves around it. We started as a couple of guys, and now we’re parents with kids, houses, wives. And we still see each other every couple of days. We still share the same dreams.

We understand how blessed we are to do this—to tour the world and have people enjoy our music. We grew up together, from young adults to men, and that helps us understand each other really well. I think we’re in a very good place as a band. I’m really happy with what we do.

Let’s go back to 1998, when Once Sent from the Golden Hall was released. When you look back at the Amon Amarth album you played on, what do you think of it now in retrospect?
I love it. I probably love it more now than I did then. Even though I really liked it at the time, I was more focused on being a good drummer than on making good songs. Now I can look back at it as an important part of my career and a beautiful time—my first album release, my first tour, good friends, good memories.

I’m very thankful to them for giving me the opportunity. Back then I couldn’t speak Swedish or English; I only spoke Spanish, and they still accepted me into the band. I spent a few years learning the language and the customs of the Swedes and becoming part of the society. Those were very important years for me—not just as a musician, but as a human being. They were incredibly supportive.

That same year, 1998, My Arms, Your Hearse came out with Opeth. Tell me about that album and what you think of your first Opeth record now.
Also beautiful memories. It was a completely different musical approach from Amon Amarth, and much closer to what I identified with musically. The way the music was written and recorded—everything was different and more advanced. It was very intense, but great. I’m still really happy with how that album turned out.

Around this time, Opeth made their U.S. debut at Milwaukee Metal Fest. What was that experience like?
It was crazy, and so different from anything we’d done before—especially compared to my time with Amon Amarth. I remember one of our guitars broke, and we had to borrow instruments. Everything felt different, and we were nervous about being able to perform the way we wanted.

But the audience was great, and we were very accepted. It turned out beautifully. And if I remember correctly, there were WWE wrestlers walking around the festival.

You’re correct.
Exactly—completely surreal for us. Very interesting, very fun.

I remember that show. You went on late, and I thought you might only get to play two songs because Opeth songs are so long. But it was fantastic. Let’s jump ahead to Ghost Reveries, which came out twenty years ago. When you look back on that album, what comes to mind?
Amazing album. I only have good memories. I’m not a very melancholic person who looks back a lot, but I remember feeling very proud. I knew we had a great album on the way. Recording it was a great time.

I’ll always have a good relationship with that band because of what it meant to me and the good times we had.

You’ve got a new album coming out with Soen. What’s next for you in the new year?
First the album, then we start rehearsing. We’re playing the 70,000 Tons of Metal cruise, which is cool. After that we’re doing our first proper Scandinavian tour, and then we’re heading to the U.S. to visit you guys.

Do you have any message for Soen fans reading this interview?
I hope they take the time to listen to the new album, and I hope they come to our shows. I think we’re a better live band than a studio band. There’s something special about the way we connect with the audience because of the kind of music we play. So I hope to see them all there.

In Conclusion

As Soen prepares to enter a new chapter with Reliance, Martin López stands grounded in the same principles that have shaped his entire musical journey: honesty, connection, and an unwavering commitment to the craft. Whether reflecting on the formative albums that defined his early career or looking ahead to the tours and creative challenges still to come, López speaks with the calm clarity of someone who understands exactly why he makes music—and what he hopes it brings to others.

With Reliance, Soen continues to carve out a space where vulnerability and power coexist, where technical mastery serves emotional truth, and where the bond between artist and audience feels unmistakably human. As the band heads into a busy year of touring and sharing this new material with the world, one thing is clear: Soen’s strength lies not just in their musicianship, but in the values that hold them together. And for fans, the journey ahead looks as compelling as ever.

(Interview by Ken Morton)

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