The sun’s shining, early summer just broke out over here, and this reviewer really doesn’t feel like covering some Doom Metal piece. This is the time when you yearn for some neat, happy metal. But, alas, Draconian‘s irresistible siren call just reached this crew.
And it is a new version with – surprise – Lisa Johansson back in session. And that’s a reason to celebrate. Her vocal powers may well be better suited for the current Draconian fare. And don’t get me wrong, Heike Langhans did a fine job on Sovran and Under A Dark Veil, both covered by RMR. These two garnered decent scores, and the RMR Crew kept creeping back to the Draconian sorrowland whenever a new record hit the market.
But what we heard on In Somnolent Ruin seems tailor-made for Johansson, so kudos. And it is this perfect union of the Beauty and the Beast embedded in a tear-drenched ocean of woe that struck us first. Something of a perfect Draconian-adjusted rendition of Insomnium 2.0 at times, complete with the typical clear voice male wailing. Gothically tainted metal that yet again went back straight away to the Peaceville Three.1
I mean, fire up I Welcome Thy Arrow and be amazed. Cathedral, slow-marching soundscapes fueled by Johansson‘s angelic voice, greet you with the growls following not far behind. Riffing straight out of My Dying Bride and poignantly severe funeral marches heading towards impending doom. But what threw us on this track was the absolutely otherwordly solo. One that sounded much like what the excellent David Gilmour2 would do, were he to write music for this band.
But what really struck us was the out-of-this-world songwriting that underlines the overall production. Doom Metal bands very often forget authenticity when they try to live their main theme of sadness and woe. Yet on In Somnolent Ruin, the sentiment of anguish and despair stays poignantly sharp throughout the record (I Gave You Wings, for instance). Nothing on this record sounds forced. Instead, you usually get a frugally constructed web of moods and flavors, all drenched in frankly moving melancholy. And while Sovran and Under A Dark Veil already impressed this crew in so many ways, this here record truly takes this to the next level. Thus, Draconian is getting in line with other old(er) acts who suddenly display some welcome and newfound energy that took us by storm. A phenomenon that we stumbled across a few times lately.
One of the quality checks the RMR crew always does is to just let a new record run in the background whilst you continue to work on something else. If a record allows you to do that, then the piece probably is trouble. In Somnolent Ruin, in contrast, always managed to call me back to the present with the tear-drenched, succulent turns it took at any given moment. And that is an astonishing feat right there. And it shows in the tracklist as well. The record is packed with great to outstanding tracks. I Welcome Thy Arrow, and The Monochrome Blade already steals the wistful thunder of much of the rest. And if you are in a hurry and just want to get the gist of the piece, these two will do nicely.
Interestingly, the best tracks are reserved for the end of In Somnolent Ruin. Cold Heavens, for instance, is arguably the track with Lisa Johansson‘s best performance. But it is also the one where the axe men shine brightest. And together with the caustic yet biting growls and thunderous drum work, this track may very well come out on top of anything else. When it comes to atmosphere, emotional load, and – yes – groove, Misanthrope River shines brightest. This is one of the tracks containing a monologue. On most other records, that is where disaster happens. Yet Draconian pulled a picture purrrfect specimen of one. A feat rarely pulled off in such a way. And then, Lethe happened. This excellent last track seems to waltz straight out of the last In Ruins piece. Marching forth at a lush funeral pace, with bone-chilling haunting agony and tastefully inserted tremolo pickings towards the end in the midst of a slow-marching progression.
So, is there no negative on In Somnolent Ruin? Draconian pulled off one of their best, if not THE best album they ever made. A Doom Metal piece that sits at the pinnacle of woe-laden songsmithing and a musical performance that other bands might find difficult to match. If anything, Anima with Daniel Änghede didn’t fill us with a load of enthusiasm. But as to the rest, the RMR crew stands in awe of an outstanding production.
Well done, gang.
Record Rating: 9/10 | Label: Napalm Fucking Records | Web: Official Band Site
Release Date: 8 May 2026