Swedish gothic doom metal outfit DRACONIAN will unveil their new studio album, “In Somnolent Ruin”, on May 8, 2026 through Napalm Records. The band describes it as one of the most intimate and emotionally charged releases in their catalog, unfolding like a hazy, dream-soaked voyage across nine tracks, carried by the poetic depth of Anders Jacobsson’s lyrics.
The album also signals the return of longtime vocalist Lisa Johansson, who fronted the band on their first five records and now reunites with Jacobsson to share vocal duties once again. With the current lineup having toured steadily together since 2022, the chemistry built on stage seeps into the studio, giving the record a powerful, organic live energy.
As a recurring theme on “In Somnolent Ruin”, DRACONIAN explores Plato’s theory of the soul — an element that was not planned from the very beginning, but instead emerged organically during the creation of the new album, which has once again been written, recorded and arranged by Johan Ericson.
Johan Ericson comments on the new album: “The first idea — the embryo, really — of ‘In Somnolent Ruin’ goes back to 2021. It began with the song ‘Misanthrope River’, a title that had already existed since the demo days of ‘Under A Godless Veil’, now finally finding music to accompany it. As small pieces and fragments slowly started to grow into actual songs, it only made me more inspired to keep writing.
“I drew a lot of inspiration from art and from other musical acts — everything from dark folk to eerie ambient music — which helped keep the creative spark alive. Early on, I had a clear sense of the overall vibe I wanted for the album: classic doom intertwined with ambient soundscapes. I also wanted a wide variety of songs across the record, but without losing that strong gothic thread that connects everything and gives it a shared atmosphere.”
Anders Jacobsson adds: “It took quite some time before the album began to feel whole. We didn’t settle on the final track list until very late in the process, as each piece slowly came together — vocals finding their place, ideas overlapping, and a real sense of collaboration allowing the songs to evolve toward an imagined destination. In the end, the music always seems to transform into something that once felt almost unimaginable.
“For me personally, it was a fascinating but challenging experience. I struggled at times to see how everything would ultimately come together, and there were moments of doubt throughout the process. But it did come together in the end, and all the uncertainty and self-reflection somehow proved worthwhile. The creative journey for me is always deeply tied to introspection, and this record demanded a great deal of that.
It was without question the most difficult album for me to fully grasp and work through — but perhaps that’s what makes the final result all the more compelling, and, I believe, quite remarkable. It’s been a long time coming… It was also fantastic to work with Lisa again, and to have Daniel Johansson bring a new dimension to the drums added another layer of depth to the entire process.”
Track listing
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
DRACONIAN 2026 tour dates (more to be announced):
May 16 – Sao Paulo, Brazil @ Carioca Club
May 17 – Buenos Aires, Argentina @ Teatro Flores
May 19 – Santiago, Chile @ Sala Metronomo
May 21 – Bogota, Colombia @ Teatro Astor Plaza
May 23 – Mexico City, Mexico @ Circo Volador
Aug. 06 – Jaromer, Czech Republic @ Brutal Assault
DRACONIAN is:
Johan Ericson – Guitar, Vocals, Keys
Anders Jacobsson – Vocals
Lisa Johansson – Vocals
Daniel Arvidsson – Bass
Niklas Nord – Guitar
Daniel Johansson – Drums
