Swedish gothic doom entity Draconian announces new studio album »In Somnolent Ruin« and premieres first single & music video »Cold Heavens«!

Säffle, Sweden based gothic/doom metal band Draconian return with their eight full-length album, »In Somnolent Ruin«, scheduled for release on May 8th, 2026 via Napalm Records.

Watch a music video for the first single »Cold Heavens« below!

Tracklist:
01. I Welcome Thy Arrow
02. The Monochrome Blade
03. Anima (feat. Daniel Änghede)
04. The Face Of God
05. I Gave You Wings
06. Asteria Beneath The Tranquil Sea
07. Cold Heavens
08. Misanthrope River
09. Lethe

Bonus CD:
01. Dominion
02. This Too Shall Pass (feat. Simon Bibby)

Courtesy of Napalm Records:

Swedish gothic doom entity Draconian announces 8th studio album, »In Somnolent Ruin«, out May 8, 2026 on Napalm Records.

Pre-order HERE.

Johan Ericson about the new single: “In need of a more up-tempo song, »Cold Heavens« was the final piece written for »In Somnolent Ruin«. The intention was to create a simple, straightforward track to balance the album’s longer compositions and add versatility. Lisa’s laid-back vocals take center stage, guiding us through a bleak, cold landscape before giving way to Anders’ more spiteful and desperate delivery. The song ends with a sense of resignation, leading into the album’s next track.”

Swedish gothic doom entity Draconian is finally back! Their new studio album, »In Somnolent Ruin«, will creep its way from the artist’s spirit into the light of day on May 8, 2026 via Napalm Records. This promises to be one of the most personal records in the band’s discography, revealed through a dreamlike journey across nine tracks and the poetic lyricism of vocalist Anders Jacobsson. As a recurring theme, Draconian explore Plato’s theory of the soul – an element that was not planned from the very beginning, but instead emerged organically during the creation of »In Somnolent Ruin«.

Photo credit: Stephansdotter Photography

Six years have passed since the band released its predecessor, »Under A Godless Veil«, Draconian’s most successful record to date. Much has changed since then, yet everything feels familiar: after introducing new guitarist Niklas Nord (Myteri, DeathTrap, The Random Victims) in spring 2022, the band announced the return of vocalist Lisa Johansson, who now once again shares vocal duties with Anders Jacobsson, promising even more enigmatic music to come. Johansson had been the band’s vocalist for their first five records before leaving Draconian in 2011 for personal reasons. »In Somnolent Ruin« marks her official comeback, following several live performances at festivals over the past years. The band’s renewed lineup is rounded out by Daniel Johansson (ex-Wormwood), who joined Draconian as a full member in 2025 following Jerry Torstennson’s departure. Prior to that, Johansson had served as the band’s session drummer since 2019.

»In Somnolent Ruin« captures the essence of a band that no longer needs to prove anything – and yet still does. Active since the mid-1990s and having released their debut album, »Where Lovers Mourn«, in 2003, Draconian have continuously demonstrated their unmatched ability to craft otherworldly doom melodies and searing heavy instrumentation, complemented by lyrics that read like poetry. Their art cuts deep, compelling listeners to confront their inner demons, wander through the darkest shadows, and even embrace emotional numbness, only to emerge with a sense of inner peace. This album confronts listeners with life’s hardest questions, exploring feelings of alienation and the search for direction in unfamiliar territory.

»In Somnolent Ruin«’s journey begins with »I Welcome Thy Arrow«, which captivates from the very first seconds through haunting melodies and a vocal interplay that embodies fragility and strength alike. Tracks such as »The Monochrome Blade« and »The Face Of God« introduce increased tempo and eruptive vocal dynamics. »Anima« features Swedish artist Daniel Änghede, adding layers of emotional depth and confronting listeners with their darker impulses, capturing the sense of being lost and questioning one’s place in the world. »Asteria Beneath The Tranquil Sea« serves as a transitional interlude between »I Gave You Wings« and »Cold Heavens«, the latter exploring the delicate balance between life and death and not finding relief in any of both, while delivering the album’s most intense vocal performance. »Misanthrope River« opens with an extended instrumental passage and narration by Simon Bibby, slowing the tempo but by no means reducing the emotional weight, reflecting life’s daily struggles and obstacles. The closing track, »Lethe«, references the river of forgetfulness in Greek mythology. Those who drank from it would lose all memory. “Oh, shooting star… Drown in me! Drink. Forget. Repeat.” mourns Jacobsson through devilish growls. And yet, »In Somnolent Ruin« remains a work of art one wishes not to forget – not a single blink of an eye.

Produced by Draconian.
Recorded by Johan Ericson & Karl Daniel Lidén.
Mixed and mastered by Karl Daniel Lidén.
Photos by Therés Stephansdotter Björk.
Cover artwork by Agostino Arrivabene.

Draconian is:
Johan Ericson – Guitar, Vocals, Keys
Anders Jacobsson – Vocals
Lisa Johansson – Vocals
Daniel Arvidsson – Bass
Niklas Nord – Guitar
Daniel Johansson – Drums

Guest musicians:
Daniel Änghede – Vocals on »Anima«
Simon Bibby – Vocals (narration) on »Misanthrope River«, »This Too Shall Pass«

Draconian Live 2026:

Latin America
16.05.26 BR – Sao Paulo / Carioca Club
17.05.26 AR – Buenos Aires / Teatro Flores
19.05.26 CL – Santiago / Sala Metronomo
21.05.26 CO – Bogota / Teatro Astor Plaza
23.05.26 MX – Mexico City / Circo Volador

Japan Tour
12/10/2026 JP Tokyo / Shibuya Stream Hall
13/10/2026 JP Osaka / Shinsaibashi Sunhall

EU Tour 2027
18.02.2027 DE – Hamburg/ Knust
19.02.2027 DE – Berlin / Lido
20.02.2027 DE – Leipzig / Hellraiser
21.02.2027 PL – Krakow / Hype Park
23.02.2027 PL – Warsaw / Hydrozagadka
24.02.2027 AT – Vienna / Szene
25.02.2027 CZ – Prague / Futurum Club
26.02.2027 DE – Munich / Backstage Halle
27.02.2027 DE – Aschaffenburg / Colos-Saal
28.02.2027 IT – Milan / Legend Club
02.03.2027 LU – Esch-sur-Alzette / Rockhal
03.03.2027 DE – Oberhausen / Kulttempel
04.03.2027 NL – Utrecht / TivoliVredenburg
05.03.2027 BE – Kortrijk / DVG
06.03.2027 FR – Paris / La Machine Du Moulin Rouge
07.03.2027 UK – London / The Dome

06.08.2026 CZ – Jaromer / Brutal Assault
25.09.2026 ES – Madrid / Revi Live
26.09.2026 PT – Lisbon / Under The Doom

Tickets on sale now at draconianofficial.com/tour

Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well