The beginning of Sweden’s DRACONIAN can be traced back to May 1994, when Johan Ericson (drums, vocals), Andy Hindenäs (guitars) and Jesper Stolpe (bass, vocals) joined forces as KERBEROS, a melodic heavy/death metal ensemble with black metal influences. Seven months later, lead vocalist and poet Anders Jacobsson joined the band, which then changed its name to what it is today.
Over the next months, DRACONIAN worked diligently on new material that eventually found its way to their first demo Shades of a Lost Moon which was released in February 96. At the end of January 1997, DRACONIAN recorded their second demo, In Glorious Victory. Unfortunately, the band quickly grew discontent with the sound quality of the recording and decided not to release it. In early August 1999, DRACONIAN entered Studio Kuling to record The Closed Eye of Paradise, an album that dealt with the mystical dark theme of Lucifer and his fallen angels, the true face of God, and the forthcoming battle.
Unfortunately, the recording, suffering from a bad production, was again not up to DRACONIAN’s high standards and was not released before 2000, after the band had done various improvements to the original recording.
DRACONIAN now concentrated on creating something new. Their sound became slower, darker, and doomier. The material that ensued guided DRACONIAN in a different direction. Their 2-track promo Frozen Features was made available on the Internet, as well as in CD format. A final demo was recorded in the summer of 2002 featuring the vocal talents of Lisa Johansson for the first time. Dark Oceans We Cry paved the final way for DRACONIAN out of the unknown and into the limelight. The demo received outstanding reviews and the band signed a long-awaited record deal with NAPALM RECORDS.
DRACONIAN recorded their debut album, Where Lovers Mourn in Studio Mega under the supervision of Chris Silver (ex Sundown and Cemetary member) in July 2003.
Just two years later, under the direction of Pelle Saether, DRACONIAN entered Studio Underground in Västerås to record Arcane Rain Fell in 2005.
In 2006 DRACONIAN began working on their third release. But due to myriad fan requests, the band decided to first deliver a bonus album to include remakes of old tracks from The Closed Eyes of Paradise demo. The Burning Halo would also include three new tracks and two covers. Plagued by numerous problems throughout the production phases, the album was delayed and finally completed in June and released in September 2006.
Produced by Andreas Karlsson and Johan Ericson, and mixed in „Anders Ljudbild” by Anders Bergström, The Burning Halo is a majestic blend of DRACONIAN’s previous two releases, which shows the Swedish Doom Metal masters in perfect form, having developed into one of the scene's top acts.
In September 2007, DRACONIAN started to record their 4th album Turning Season Within at the Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, with producers Jens Bogren and David Castillo (Opeth, Katatonia), who completed Draconian..s vision of a extensive, weighty and dark sound.
Musically, Turning Season Within sees DRACONIAN speed up the tempo and heaviness a bit, but without leaving their roots or the doomish aspect aside. One reason for this might be that the band felt more inspired by their own countrymen than the old British Doomers or Norwegian Romantic Gothic Metal.
On a lyrical level, singer Anders states that it contains the most down to earth and personal lyrics so far and when asked about a central topic, “Failing and hopeless relations within love, and how we deal with it” is the answer. And Anders also gives the answer to people that might think love is a lame subject in heavy dark music like this; “I think it’s really doomy! Pain is a topic that never grows old in musical themes. Some people seem to forget that love can be the greatest hell you have to manage, but still it’s vital to our existence. In this way I think the music with both the harsh and the very soft tender sound at times, fits these lyrics very well. The various tempers define our emotional world, and love is both heaven and hell.”
Bloodflower
(Video shot during show in Tel Aviv Feb 2009)
The July blog is up!!! Maybe you should go read it...
This months blog features reviews of:
Arsonists Get All The Girls - Hits From The Bow (Reissue) Autumns Eyes - Surrender The Fire Battlelore - The Last Alliance Callisto - Providence Cyclotron - Into A Subconscious Surreallity Darkness Before Dawn - Post Mortem Deeply Confused - Isolated Drown My Day - One Step Away From Silence Harbinjer - Allegory Of The Cave Lorene Drive - Out Alive Mad City Rockers - Black Celebration O.S.I. - Blood Premunition - Call Of Vengeance Rebels Without Applause - Low End Head Stomp Striker - Road Warrior The Seven Gates - Angel Of Suffering ((Thorlock)) - ((Thorlock)) Tim “Ripper” Owens - Play My Game
And an interview with Nuno of Adrenicide!
And, as always:
Would you like some *good publicity that's easy, quick, and free? Then send your Demos/EPs/LPs/Vinyl/PROMO MATERIAL (We don't care how old it is, we will review anything! We'll even wear/pimp your merch!) for review to:
E-MetalSpace C/O Echidna 4807 SE Boardman Ave Apt 4 Milwaukie, OR 97267
THANKS TO ALL THE MYSPACE FANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOT-LIABLE NEW MUSIC NOW ON SITE RECORDED AT TERRASIDE STUDIOS BY DAN TIDWELL, NOW ON TWISTED HILL BILLY RECORDS CD OUT THIS FALL IN STORES WORLD WIDE, GETTING READY FOR THE SECOND LEG OF SUMMER TOUR KICKING IT OFF AT KC MUSIC ALLEY FREDRICKSBURG,VA JULY 17,09 OSHAUGHNESSYS WITH KNEE DEEP AUG 7,09 KINGS ST ALEX,VA OPENIN FOR PSYCHO STICK AUG 8,09 KC MUSIC ALLEY IN FREDRICKSBURG,VA
Hi Draconian! Thanks for the add! Please check out some of the jewelry, sculptures and guitars that I make and leave me a picture comment or two! www.myspace.com/john_blackwing I hope you'll have a chance to listen to my band, send us a friend request and let us know what you think! www.thunderrider.com www.myspace.com/thunderrider1 Buy our CD at: http://cdbaby.com/cd/thunderrider http://cdbaby.com/cd/thunderrider2 Cheers from Montreal, Quebec, Canada, John Blackwing Thunder Rider http://www.sidscycleshow.com/FlashPlayer/Thunder_Riders_RFS.html http://www.sidscycleshow.com/FlashPlayer/Suzuki_FMX_Team.html
I just want to say, that I love this band. Draconian, all of you just kick ass. I love how it's hard and heavy, but a slow tempo. It's AMAZING :D Everything about this Music fits the way I think, I can never quite find other lyrics like this. It's Beautiful, story like, Dark. It makes me think.
So thank you guys sooooooo much for making this Beautiful Music.
I'm Glad You Chose Me To Be Your Friend. For I Will Surely Lead You To The Dark Side. Your Evil Thoughts And Deepest Desires Are Welcome On My Page.. Take Advantage. You Are And Will Always Be Appreciated For Taking The Time To Stop By. Respect Is On Your Side....
Music Is An Extraordinary Way Of Life... Even You Can't Deny The Pleasures It Brings! Please Feel Free To Add The Arch Enemy Fan Pages On My Top Four. Thank You For The Support!
Remember, Music Is The Easiest Way To Survive...... But You Can't Escape Death Even In The Heaviest Metal Of Your Days...
Greetings!! I hope you're doing fine there! If you have a little time check back my portfolio, here in myspace! Myspace Design - Covers & CDs - Websites // DERZ'OTH DESIGN