Draconian

Draconian are a Swedish doom metal and gothic metal band from Säffle Municipality, Sweden. Formed in 1995, they develop a sound built around atmosphere, melody and strong emotional contrast. The group begins as Kerberos in 1994, when Johan Ericson, Jesper Stolpe and Andy Hindenäs start playing melodic death metal with black metal influences. Anders Jacobsson joins later, and the band takes the name Draconian.

Early releases and line-up changes

The band records its first demo, Shades of a Lost Moon, after its first live performance. The release includes Jessica Eriksson on flute and vocals, Susanne Arvidsson on keyboards and vocals, and a guest contribution from Andreas Haag on the introduction to “My Nemesis”. Magnus Bergström joins the group afterwards. A second demo, In Glorious Victory, is recorded in early 1997 but not released.

Military service for two members slows the band’s activity, and Susanne Arvidsson leaves for personal reasons before Andreas Karlsson replaces her. Draconian plays concerts in 1998 and 1999, then records The Closed Eyes of Paradise in 1999, a release centred largely on Lucifer and his fallen angels. Arvidsson returns as a guest vocalist on the recording, but the band spends time reworking the material before release. During the later revision of the demo, Andy Hindenäs leaves and Johan Ericson moves to guitars, while Jerry Torstensson joins on drums.

Recordings for Napalm Records

Dark Oceans We Cry is recorded in 2002 and features Lisa Johansson on vocals for the first time. It is issued online and on CD, receives strong reviews, and leads to a record deal with Napalm Records. The band records its debut album, Where Lovers Mourn, at Studio Mega with Chris Silver. Arcane Rain Fell follows in 2005, recorded at Studio Underground in Västerås under Pelle Saether.

The band then releases The Burning Halo, a bonus album made in response to fan requests. It includes remakes of older tracks from The Closed Eyes of Paradise, three new songs and two cover versions. Andreas Karlsson and Johan Ericson produce it, with mixing by Anders Bergström at Anders Ljudbild.

In 2007 Draconian record Turning Season Within at Fascination Street Studios in Örebro with Jens Bogren and David Castillo. The album appears in 2008. A Rose for the Apocalypse follows in 2011 through Napalm Records.

Later vocalist changes

Lisa Johansson leaves in late 2011 and Heike Langhans replaces her. In 2022, Langhans leaves to focus on her own projects and Johansson returns. The band plays a farewell set with both singers at Hellfest 2022.

Line-up

Draconian’s listed members include Anders Jacobsson, Lisa Johansson, Johan Ericson, Jerry Torstensson, Daniel Arvidsson, Andreas Hindenäs, Jesper Stolpe, Susanne Arvidsson, Magnus Bergström, Andreas Karlsson, Heike Langhans, Niklas Nord, Daniel Johansson and Fredrik Johansson.