Review by Saxy S for Draconian - In Somnolent Ruin (2026)

Draconian return with album number eight in hopes of maintaining the momentum from their last two triumphant albums: Sovran and Under a Godless Veil. Draconian have been one of the most consistent and one of the best death doom metal bands of the 21st century and In Somnolent Ruin is no exception. 

One thing that this band are remarkable at is creating tension. Some of that can be attributed to the unbearably slow grooves on "The Face of God" and "Misanthrope River", but some of that can be attributed to harmonic dissonance as well. Tracks like "The Monochrome Blade" have an eerie chord progression to them and they immediately stand out amongst the more romantic/passionate yearning throughout most of the albums promotional singles, including "Anima".

Despite the early returns, I actually did not mind the return of Lisa Johansson on vocals. In Somnolent Ruin is an album that is trying to follow in the footsteps of Under a Godless Veil, while at the same time bring in a nostalgic sound that also harkens back to the classic LP's like Arcane Rain Fell. Other reviews for this album suggest that they wanted more of a nostalgia trip with a return of the conceptual album, with even more of the quasi funeral doom that was present before. But in reality, Lisa is just returning to a band that has been in pristine form for just over a decade. I see no need for this band to just pack it up and start playing their old stuff again. And besides, Lisa has done a phenomenal job on In Somnolent Ruin anyway! The opening line of "I Welcome Thy Arrow" is such a harrowing moment for Lisa and the rest of the band, before Anders enters the fray with his iconic harsh scream that feels both contemplative and resolute at the same time.

This album is at its best when its playing into the classic death doom sound. The production is superb; produced almost all in house. The rhythm guitar and bass play with authority and power, while the lead guitar on "Lethe" and "Cold Heavens" is stunning. The percussion work is doing lots of heavy lifting as well; even though it might not seem like the drums are doing very much, the mixing allows those limited hits of the snare or kicks of the bass drum to resonate and drive the music forward. When the dreamy interludes happen ("Asteria Beneath the Tranquil Sea"), they sound good just as they did on Under a Godless Veil and give the album a sense of purpose. Unlike the Genghis Tron album I reviewed yesterday, these interludes and just that; they come in and bring down the intensity and volume of the record for only a moment, before the rhythm guitar, bass and drums return while Anders howls once again in the tried and true Draconian form.

While the album is really good and an easy recommendation for those who like Draconian or death doom in general, I wouldn't call it a masterpiece. Draconian fans know that this discography is titanic in quality, so a record that has aspects that feel very predictable may be a bit concerning. 

Best Songs: The Face of God, The Monochrome Blade, Misanthrope River

For Fans Of: Trees of Eternity, My Dying Bride, early Katatonia