I went into Draconian’s new album “In Somnolent Ruin” with a mix of curiosity and hesitation. After so many internal changes (Lisa Johansson returning, Heike Langhans stepping away, Daniel Arvidsson reducing his role) it felt like the band was entering a new chapter without fully knowing what it would sound like. I wasn’t sure if the shift would be subtle or seismic. What I found instead was something in between: an album that still feels unmistakably like Draconian, but with a different emotional center.

Hearing Johansson again was the first moment that grounded me. Her voice carries a warmth and fragility that instantly reconnects you to the band’s earlier years, but without feeling nostalgic or backwards‑looking. Anders Jacobsson, meanwhile, sounds more worn and introspective than before. His growls have always been expressive, but here they feel more human as if the weight of the past few years has settled into his delivery. Together, they set a tone that’s both familiar and quietly changed.

What struck me early on is how natural “In Somnolent Ruin” feels despite the lineup shifts. The guitars don’t try to dominate or overcompensate; instead they shape the atmosphere, guiding the emotional flow of each track. The production leans warmer and more grounded than “Under a Godless Veil”, giving the music a sense of closeness that suits this phase of the band.

The songs released as videos ended up being the ones I connected with the most. “Cold Heavens” especially stands out. It’s heavier than anything Draconian has done in years. Not just sonically, but emotionally. There’s a weight to it that feels intentional, like the band tapping into an older intensity but filtering it through everything they’ve learned since. It’s one of those tracks that reminds you why Draconian has always been more than just another doom metal band.

“Misanthrope River” hits in a completely different way. It’s one of the album’s emotional anchors. Slow, narrative, and quietly devastating. The spoken‑word textures and drifting melodies give it a confessional quality, the kind of song you return to when you want something that feels personal rather than heavy. It’s easily one of the highlights for me.

“Anima” is an interesting track, even if it didn’t become one of my favourites. There’s a melodic phrase in the song, a bending, reflective line, that immediately reminded me of Metallica’s “The Unforgiven”. Not in a distracting way, but enough to spark that sense of familiarity. It fits the mood of the track surprisingly well.

The guest appearance by Daniel Änghede adds a soft, drifting layer to the atmosphere. I wasn’t familiar with his work before this, whether in ISON or his other projects, so I came into it without expectations. His voice blends nicely with the song’s tone, even if the track as a whole didn’t resonate with me as strongly as others on the album. It’s a thoughtful collaboration, just not the moment that defined the record for me.

What I appreciate most about this album is how comfortable Draconian sounds in this new phase. They’re not trying to recreate the past, and they’re not trying to escape it either. Instead, the music feels like an honest reflection of where they are now. A band that has weathered change and come out the other side with a clearer sense of itself.

Lisa Johanssons return doesn’t erase the Langhans era; it adds another layer to the band’s story. Anders Jacobsson sounds more exposed, more reflective. The guitars feel intentional rather than ornamental. The rhythm section gives the songs room to breathe. Nothing feels rushed or overly polished. It’s doom metal that leans into atmosphere rather than theatrics.

This is Draconian acknowledging their history while quietly reshaping themselves.

“In Somnolent Ruin” didn’t overwhelm me on first listen. It grew on me slowly, track by track, until I realized how much it had settled into my head. It’s heavier in places than I expected, more intimate in others, and emotionally sincere throughout.

For longtime fans, it’s a familiar landscape with new contours. For newcomers, it’s a strong introduction to one of doom metal’s most emotionally rich bands.

For me, it’s Draconian sounding human, and that’s exactly why it works.

Rating: 8,5/10

Release Date: May 8th 2026
Label: Napalm Records

Writer: Michael

Tracklist:

1. I Welcome Thy Arrow
2. The Moonchrome Blade
3. Anima
4. The Face of God
5. I Gave You Wings
6. Asteria Beneath The Tranquil Sea
7. Cold Heavens
8. Misanthrope River
9. Lethe