Four years have passed since their last album, but we are only two weeks away until we can get our hands on their latest material, ‘Sovran’, which will be out on October 30th via Napalm Records. And I truly encourage you to purchase it, because the wait has not been in vain!
Let me tell you that I have a thing for Swedish bands and this doom gothic act is not an exception. Yes, the wait has been long since ‘A Rose for the Apocalypse’, but ‘Sovran’ will not disappoint you, I guarantee it. As a first impression, visually it looks really great, the album artwork being created by Costin Chioreanu (Arcturus, Primordial, Arch Enemy), who did a hell of a mesmerizing job.
And now we get to the most important part which is, of course, the music. First of all, I believe that they really nailed it with the mixture of growls and soothing vocals. It is Draconian’s first album with female vocalist Heike Langhans and she fits in perfectly, her sensitive voice creating a powerful, yet enchanting contrast with Anders Jacobsson’s gloomy growls. I have nothing but words of praise regarding the vocal parts of ‘Sovran’.
Moving on to the big picture of the album, after listening to it once without any pause, you can easily get lost in the traditional doomish riffs that are intertwined so nicely with the ghostly mixture of vocals that I’ve been talking about.
‘Heavy Lies the Crown’ opens the album and it immediately manages to send chills down your spine due to the majestic organ sounds featured here. I’m simply obsessed with ‘The Wretched Tide’, the second song of the album, a magnificent composition, a complete one. ‘Pale Tortured Blue’ is one of those songs that will stir up your emotions and you’ll need a moment to recover. ‘Stellar Tombs’ was premiered online last week and it received really good remarks. Anders Jacobsson comments: „This track is like a storm, a storm of a life trying to re-connect to its’ soul, to its place in the Cosmos. To me it’s like a cognition through this constricted, three-dimensional world and the expanded reality beyond. At the time I wrote this it was like an almost grotesque cocktail of fear and identity leading to inner depletion, but would mutate into the realization of its illusion, to a sense of peace and acceptance. Stellar Tombs is a ‘spicy’ song, somewhat intense and brooding, and like many other Draconian-songs the main empathy rests on a transitional phase; becoming who You are. I’d say it’s one of the more monolithic songs of the new album.” (Source: www.facebook.com/draconianofficial ) After this description, what can I say more?
If you are not a fan, you might have a hard time enjoying the second half of the album, due to the specific heavier doom accents. But if you waited for this release, you’ll be very satisfied with the result. Get your copy as soon as it’s out! Until then, check out the track listing of ‘Sovran’ below and delight your ears with some awesome teasers. Draconian is back and they’ve returned in style!
‘Sovran’ track listing:
1. Heavy Lies the Crown
2. The Wretched Tide
3. Pale Tortured Blue
4. Stellar Tombs
5. No Lonelier Star
6. Dusk Mariner
7. Dishearten
8. Rivers Between Us (with Daniel Änghede from Crippled Black Phoenix on Vocals)
9. The Marriage of Attaris
10. With Love and Defiance (Bonus Track)
Cristina Țurlea
