Metalcatto
How to say this? I’m a Draconian fanboy. I’ve been digging the band’s work since Where Lovers Mourn. Every album since has been a 4.0 out of 5.0 to me. In my book, no other Doom Metal band has been this consistent for so long. If anything, this is the band that truly got me into depressive music, which is why my expectations for In Somnolent Ruin are more than just huge—they’re absolutely ridiculous. But let’s get into it, alright?
As many times before, we’re left in awe at how breathtaking and beautiful the melancholy and pain that Draconian‘s work brings. In Somnolent Ruin is no exception. It brings a lighter touch to the band’s formula, but that doesn’t mean things are any more uplifting. If you ever thought Doom was boring, then you’ve never listened to an album like this one. Things take their time, but they’re also in constant movement. The agony here is so authentic, so lived-in, that it feels less like performance and more like confession.
There’s patience behind these riffs. The album has no urgency to surprise you. It just slowly dries you out and lets all those somber feelings wrap around you like a cold blanket. Draconian has done this many times before, but this time there’s more range in its sound—a subtle difference, perhaps, but just as devastating. This isn’t the kind of album that sends you to therapy. It’s the one you cry to alone in the dark when nobody is watching. Yet I’m not saying this is the perfect album.
I’m not going to complain about the runtime this time, because this is actually a short Draconian album by their standards. However, I would say the album does start to run out of steam by the last three tracks. It’s not a big deal. Maybe it’s just me missing more heaviness, but the tempo does shift in a way that loses some momentum. Still, when it comes to Doom or Gothic Metal, I can’t really fault the band that mixes both together better than almost anyone.
Alright, so my expectations were through the roof, but Draconian managed to achieve exactly what I expected. Nothing more and nothing less. It was heart-wrenching and cold, but also gorgeous in its delivery. I can’t think of many bands that can balance both extremes, much less for decades. So dive into In Somnolent Ruin. The tears are guaranteed. Bring tissues and a willingness to feel terrible in the most beautiful way possible.
Label: Napalm Records
Release date: May 9th, 2026
Website: https://draconian.bandcamp.com/album/in-somnolent-ruin
Country: Sweden
Score: 3.8/5.0 (I might return to this score later this year)
Metal Eclipse Reviews 