Draconian - In Somnolent Ruin

It's a Draconian album, of course it has a certain level of quality, songwriting is good, production is good. However I feel that this album has it's ups & downs, some great moments and some "filler"-generic sounding ones. Lisa is doing a good job as well, but she's no Heike, which leads to what this album suffers from, from the ground up. Let me explain:

Under the Godless Veil was an album written with Heike's voice in mind, the songwriting was able to facilitate this to the maximum. Sovran was good, using the old recipe, but then Heike joined, everything just clicked, leading to the next one. With her gone, something has to be recalculated again. It's like sports, sometimes a player joins in, and lifts the team up 10 levels and then one day he leaves and it's a whole new story.

Written by Nightmare^ on 10.05.2026 at 11:04

It's a Draconian album, of course it has a certain level of quality, songwriting is good, production is good. However I feel that this album has it's ups & downs, some great moments and some "filler"-generic sounding ones. Lisa is doing a good job as well, but she's no Heike, which leads to what this album suffers from, from the ground up. Let me explain:

Under the Godless Veil was an album written with Heike's voice in mind, the songwriting was able to facilitate this to the maximum. Sovran was good, using the old recipe, but then Heike joined, everything just clicked, leading to the next one. With her gone, something has to be recalculated again. It's like sports, sometimes a player joins in, and lifts the team up 10 levels and then one day he leaves and it's a whole new story.

Pretty much how I feel. By not having Heike in the band, it leaves a hole that's impossible to fill. Such a shame.

I'm in the missing Heike party, however I also found the songs pretty directionless and uninteresting. It sounds like a tired, very brittle version of Draconian. I'm planning on giving it another listen before next week's releases but I can't say I have much drive to do so.

Guys, it's all about the songs. Heike really was the star of the previous album, but she didn't do much to prevent Sovran from boring me almost to death (not saying it doesn't have great songs - just too few of them). In terms of memorable songs, this is definitely better than Sovran, although not nearly as consistent as Under a Godless Veil. If Lisa doesn't sing "like Heike" on the whole album, maybe it's because she (or the band) didn't want to. On a couple tracks, she clearly shows that she absolutely can.

We actually got 2 albums this time:
- One you listen the first time with lots of expectations after UAGV.
- The second, after you get rid of expectations and let the album to speak for itself.

IMO, if we manage to give the second album a chance, a magic happens.

Anders said it was challenging and in times he had doubts how all of this will come together. And we can actually feel this when listening - this might be the most complex album to date.

Lots of different ideas, demanding transitions, less accessible melodies - this is a brave approach, especially coming after career defining masterpiece.

But this was the only way to come back on top. Without releasing UAGV part 2, but by using the essence that made that album so magnificent - experiments, evolution and decisions, that are needed by the songs itself.

I remember the emotions and tears coming after listening "Claw marks on the throne" for the first time. This time there were no such moments the first time I listened to the album. However there was the atmosphere and the vast ocean of ideas put into this, that made this album not so accessible, but much more interesting that the last one.

For me its a perfect combination of old Draconian (I even hear some refrences to Closed eyes of paradise) and the new one. I loved Heike, but Lisa feels like a homecoming. And what a better singer she became!! Monochrome Blade, The Face Of God, Cold Heavens - she's amazing here.

This albums is a champion of Draconian songwriting and atmosphere. Its a homage for their doom roots. More agressive, more heavy, but as enjoyable as ever.

Best songs for me: The Face Of God, Monochrome Blade (Lisa at the chorus is just perfect), Cold Heavens.

The only song I still can't seem to fully enjoy is Anima.

But listening to this album gave me some other thoughts.
How sad it is that metal in general, and especially gothic doom is less and less popular these days. How sad it is that we don't get new acts that could deliver such quality music and we don't have to wait 6 years for new music.

We should make paying for music a priority again, so bands like Draconian could release these masterpieces more ofter. They managed to do this every 2 years in the past, I'm sure they might be able to do that again, with a right incentive from industry and fans. But yeah its a different discussion, just wanted to share the thought new album incepted in me.

Back on topic: I wouldn't be surprised, that this album will start getting better reception, after many will listen to this as it is and not as a UAGV 2.

Written by annodomini on 10.05.2026 at 15:07

But listening to this album gave me some other thoughts.
How sad it is that metal in general, and especially gothic doom is less and less popular these days. How sad it is that we don't get new acts that could deliver such quality music and we don't have to wait 6 years for new music.

We should make paying for music a priority again, so bands like Draconian could release these masterpieces more ofter. They managed to do this every 2 years in the past, I'm sure they might be able to do that again, with a right incentive from industry and fans.

Well said. After the first day of listening to this album, I suddenly had a random thought that I'd better savor it as much as I can, because I'll have to stomach 2 or 3 more albums of Edenbridge before maybe getting another one from Draconian.

Unfortunately, our favorite bands aren't getting younger (same as us). I am still avoiding streaming services, and lately I'm trying to buy most of the albums I like at least in digital (e.g. on bandcamp if it's available there). But somehow, the brightest gems still only come from old acts (even though sometimes driven by "fresh blood").

After repeated listens, this is definitely my album of the year so far. I think this is the first 10 I have given since Agalloch's Ashes Against the Grain, so I don't give them out lightly.

My only complaint with Under a Godless Veil was that, apart from the guitar solos, it seemed like guitars had taken a back seat. I am not saying guitars were absent; it felt like they played more of a Rhythm role than a Lead role. It didn't have those slow, melodic riffs from Arcane Rain Fell times, and I really missed those.

This time, every track has more prominent doomy riffs and interludes. The guitar solos are getting more emotive, too. Johan and Niklas have really wowed me with the guitar work.

As for the vocals, Anders is great as always. I was a bit skeptical of Lisa due to the 12,13 year gap, but she is back with a purpose. Her vocals are so much more diverse than previous Draconian albums (even UAGV). The Monochrome Blade and Cold Heavens are one end of the spectrum, and Lethe is the other. Her range is amazing. and this is not James Labrie-range I am talking about that carries no emotion, every line she sings, no matter in what pitch, is filled with emotion.

Then come the lyrics, I was waiting for them to come out online because the parts that I immediately understood were giving me goosebumps (The Face of God, for example)... and they take you to deeper depths of sorrows you've felt and the questions you've asked through them. There are way too many quotable phrases.

It's been some 20 years since an album has felt this powerful to me. This is one of the best albums of Gothic Doom Metal ever, right up there with Arcane Rain Fell.

Absolutely gorgeous. It couldn't be anything less. These guys always deliver a melancholic, dark, and high-quality work. A serious contender for Album of the Year, and this year it just keeps getting better.

Written by Miguelurdaneta18 on 10.05.2026 at 16:08

Absolutely gorgeous. It couldn't be anything less. These guys always deliver a melancholic, dark, and high-quality work. A serious contender for Album of the Year, and this year it just keeps getting better.

amen to all of the above. I don't know if I will end up loving it as much as I love Godless Veil, but it damned sure is close so far. I'm not ready to give it a 10 just yet, but it could push past Cryptic Shift for AotY for me with repeated listens, especially since it keeps getting better with each listen for me

Written by sgtrobo on 11.05.2026 at 06:33

Written by Miguelurdaneta18 on 10.05.2026 at 16:08

Absolutely gorgeous. It couldn't be anything less. These guys always deliver a melancholic, dark, and high-quality work. A serious contender for Album of the Year, and this year it just keeps getting better.

amen to all of the above. I don't know if I will end up loving it as much as I love Godless Veil, but it damned sure is close so far. I'm not ready to give it a 10 just yet, but it could push past Cryptic Shift for AotY for me with repeated listens, especially since it keeps getting better with each listen for me

Cryptic Shift's album was really good. I think this year is going to be very competitive in terms of Album of the Year contenders, not to mention the albums that haven't been released yet. But honestly, Draconian, as always, has set the bar very high again. lml

Their weakest in years. But not bad my any means

Written by X-FrEaK on 11.05.2026 at 11:42

Their weakest in years.

And strongest in years. Considering it's been 6 years since the last one.

Written by Kirinyale on 11.05.2026 at 12:01

Written by X-FrEaK on 11.05.2026 at 11:42

Their weakest in years.

And strongest in years. Considering it's been 6 years since the last one.

Under a Godless Veil is 6 years old? omfg

Written by X-FrEaK on 11.05.2026 at 13:30

Under a Godless Veil is 6 years old? omfg

Actually, for me it's less than half year old, but that's just me...

Such a nice way to keep their sound fit and fresh.

Written by sgtrobo on 11.05.2026 at 06:33

I don't know if I will end up loving it as much as I love Godless Veil, but it damned sure is close so far. I'm not ready to give it a 10 just yet,

scratch that. Scratch both of those comments. Face of God and Misanthrope River might be my 2 favorite gothic death metal songs ever, along with Sophia (Godless Veil) and of course, Death Come Near Me (Arcane Rain Fell)

I told my buddy, "I'm not prone to recency bias" but this one continue to grow on me and it hasn't left my player since it was released.

This is just another level, as Draconian always delivers! The Monochrome blade is growing on me with each listen!

Draconian are undisputed legends in melancholic gothic death doom and rarely miss in the quality of their releases. As expected, this is another solid effort but far from the quality of their previous album. I'm not totally blown away by it, in fact I occasionally find myself a tad underwhelmed, but some of it I've really taken to, the sound and production is marvelous, and the song "Lethe" is a particular stand-out for me.

Written by Nightmare^ on 10.05.2026 at 11:04

Lisa is doing a good job as well, but she's no Heike, which leads to what this album suffers from, from the ground up. Let me explain:

She was first before Heike and as far as now all Heike's projects struggles goes more to sysnt goth something, more aweay from doom

I like this album , its bands album, its Draconian album, I like better as Under A Godless Veil, seems Lisa do more singing as Anders did it , he sung more in Heike's era albums. Here well he do grolws, but Heike takes over vocal and are vocalist Nr.1

One of the most overrated bands EVER!

It wiggles too much between melo death and atmospheric doom. Nice vocals and production overall but sadly I won't be listening to it so much.

I Can see so many people ranting about missing Helke's voice but I feel the replacement ia equally good. In fact its not the voice but overall music seems to be little dull compared to their last outing. Still I can say this is the best this year in this genre and no doubt about it. Tracks from 2 to 5 are the best.

The album is at a high level, but unfortunately the timbre and ideas at Helke's were better! Lisa has a strong voice, but it's for a power metal band, not a doom band like Draconian. The production is 10/10 and Anders is perfect as always. But unfortunately, is this what they managed to create in 6 years, after the masterpiece of the previous one. Wasted time or just commitments from concerts for money😏 Modern musicians live off this, not from CD sales or streaming services. Which is a shame!

If I love the band, it is usually a good sign for me when I am not impressed on the first listen of a new record. Some albums take time for me to absorb and I think this is an example here. I am on my fifth listen and it's getting better every time. I will come back on my 10th or 15th listen and share how I feel. Long story short, give the band that you love enough time.

I don't like it.

In Somnolent Ruin >>>>> Under a Godless Veil
Fortunately, the album is once again focused on guitars and Anders' vocals.

Written by adsaad on 15.05.2026 at 17:14

If I love the band, it is usually a good sign for me when I am not impressed on the first listen of a new record. Some albums take time for me to absorb and I think this is an example here. I am on my fifth listen and it's getting better every time. I will come back on my 10th or 15th listen and share how I feel. Long story short, give the band that you love enough time.

And 10 times you listen to it - the album is weak🤫🥴

Lethe is beautiful. The rest is just plain boring!

I'm glad Lisa's back, I think I prefer her vocals more for Draconian's style of music. But this album isn't as good as Sovran or UAGV for me. Still like it a lot but it's kind of just... good. Draconian was never just a 'good' band.

Sidenote if you're missing Heike's vocals I recommend her other projects Ison, Remina and Lorelei. All really good atmospheric spacey projects, especially Ison