Band upheavals hardly are a new thing, and even the greatest bands in history have dealt with revolving doors. Maiden have navigated alterations that have either worked tremendously or very much haven’t. Same with Priest. Slayer never were the same again. It’s the nature of doing business, and it’s nothing new for Draconian.
The Swedish gothic doom band returns with “In Somnolent Ruin,” their eight and first in six years, and with it comes a shifted lineup. The biggest one is the return of vocalist Lisa Johansson, who left after 2011’s “A Rose for the Apocalypse” and now replaces departed Heike Langhans, who more than held her own in the spot. The reunion feels seamless when she complements or tussles with Anders Jacobsson, both of them at the top of their game. The rest of the roster is rounded out by long-time members Johan Ericson (guitar, vocals, keys), new guitarist Niklas Nord, bassist Daniel Arvidsson (who shifted from guitar), and drummer Daniel Johansson (moving from session player to full member). It makes for a very complete, engaging form of Draconian, who are glimmering gold here.
“I Welcome Thy Arrow” opens in murk, Johansson calling, “You’re the hunter, I’m the haunted,” the pace tearing open as the melodies soak with melancholy, growls engorging as the gothic tones increase. Guitars glimmer, the soloing sweeping with power, Johansson singing, “I overcome the unwinnable war,” as everything fades. “The Monochrome Blade” has doom lurching and growls digging, the punchy tempo making water rockier, the singing adding beauty to the bruising. Blood surges as guitars burn, growls rippling through muscle, strings gliding as the melodies gush, the vocals later intertwining as the last notes freeze. “Anima” starts cold, guest vocalist Daniel Änghede (Astroqueen, ex-Crippled Black Phoenix) urging, “Break me, defend me from the storm.” The atmosphere is moody, both voices paying the price, a shadowy chill increasing as the leads begin to scorch. Harsh wails sting as the energy pulses, the chorus bathing in darkness and blurring vision. “The Face of God” is intense and striking, Johansson warning of the subject, “It was weeping, the spirit of man.” Doomy fires lash as the intensity builds, spiking with lathering guitars and smeary emotions with Johansson calling, “Life is for the living, so don’t waste it on me,” as echoes fully consume.
“I Gave You Wings” has Johansson bellowing, a sinister spirit rising, the leads swelling before cooling, pianos dripping in the dark. Morbid speaking teases nerves as the bottom drops, the growls wrench, and the leads ache, Johansson singing, “For if you approach me, it is because I have approached you.” “Asteria Beneath the Tranquil Sea” is a shorter track, quivering beneath synth beams, the tension building as heavy mist obscures vision, Johansson guiding, “Breathe in, breathe out, and breathe no more.” “Cold Heavens” has a quaking pace and vocals that tear through nervous systems, howls erupting as the playing trudges, the pace eventually pulling back a bit. The fires explode again, growls crushing as Johansson’s singing absolutely explodes in the atmosphere, lashing and demanding your attention. “Misanthrope River” is eerie and chilling, the verses feeling adventurous and rich, the chorus dropping the hammers and disrupting serenity. “Where shall I go if one of us dies?” Johansson wonders, growls lashing anew, emotional leads digging deep into your chest, keys drizzling toward oblivion. Closer “Lethe” opens with breathy singing, hypnosis encircling, solemnity meeting with power jolts. Growls claw as the guitars melt, strings glaze over congealing wounds, mesmerizing passages illuminate with wonder, Jacobsson howling, “Oh restless soul, drown in me, drink, forget, repeat.”
Draconian’s doom can be overly dramatic and emotional for some who only seek the thorns, but “In Somnolent Ruin” is another masterful turn for their band that holds their style and approach in an iron grip. Johansson returning not only branches this album with their rich past, but she also adds even more regality to their morose, captivating sound. This is a new chapter for the band that keeps intact their long-forged spirit and rushes headlong into triumph and tragedy, life and death, and everything else in between.
For more on the band, go here: https://draconian.bandcamp.com/
To buy the album (U.S.), go here: https://napalmrecords.us/collections/draconian
Or here (Europe): https://napalmrecords.com/english/draconian?product_list_dir=desc&product_list_order=release_date
For more on the label, go here: https://napalmrecords.com/english
Meat Mead Metal 