Draconian
Turning Season Within
Napalm
Feels like that old time goth 'n' roll
“To make each record better than the previous” is Draconian guitarist Johan Ericson’s sole axiom. While it may be obvious in most creative circles—except for the atavistic ones—with the release of Turning Season Within, the Swede is living up to his own expectations. Good for him. Good for me. On album number four (if you count stopgap The Burning Halo as a long-player), Draconian take their atmospheric doom/death one step further. Whereas previous efforts played off, say, My Dying Bride, for guidance, on Turning Season Within, Draconian contemporize by adding a Katatonia-like sense of disharmony. Imagine “A Scenery of Loss” with a little “Leaders” thrown in. Awesome, no? Though I still cling to Arcane Rain Fell like Tom Cruise to barrels of Zoloft, the combination of disharmony and harmony is an unlikely tension builder.
“Seasons Apart,” “When I Wake” and “Earthbound” are the only three that share this trait, while the remainder of the album—“Not Breathing” to “September Ashes”—is more traditional in approach. Well, not entirely traditional. Anders Jacobsson used to be the primary vocalist, but this time Lisa Johansson and Jacobsson share the vocalist position 40/60. The dramatic effect is best heard on the folk/death masterpiece “The Failure Epiphany” and “Bloodflower.” Just ’cause I’m a sucker for this style of doom/death—though Mr. EIC could do without the female bits—doesn’t mean I have to give a glowing review, but like the albums before it, Draconian still can do no wrong. Sapor evinco! —Chris Dick
