Draconian (band)

Draconian is a metal band from Säffle, Sweden formed in 1994.

Biography

Early history

Draconian was formed in 1994 in Säffle, Sweden. In May 1994, drummer and vocalist Johan Ericson, bassist and vocalist Jesper Stolpe and guitarist Andy Hindenäs assembled the band Kerberos, initially playing melodic death metal with black metal influences. Seven months later, lead vocalist and lyrics composer Anders Jacobsson joined the band, and its name changed to Draconian.^[2]

Their first demo, Shades of a Lost Moon, was recorded in 1995. The demo counted with flutist and vocalist Jessica Eriksson, keyboardist and vocalist Susanne Arvidsson and with a special participation of Andreas Haag on the introductory section of “My Nemesis”. It was released in February, 1996,^[2] however, no recording contract was obtained. In early 1997, the band proceeded to record their second demo, entitled In Glorious Victory. The band, however, became discontent with the quality of the recording and discontinued the release.^[2]

In the following months, two members of Draconian had to complete their military service, slowing down the progress of the band. Their rehearsals, however, continued to some degree. Susanne Arvidsson left the band due to personal reasons and was replaced in 2001 by Lisa Johansson.

Both in 1998 and 1999, the band did some gigs. After receiving positive reactions, they decided to enter the studio once more. In August 1999, Draconian recorded The Closed Eyes of Paradise, an album dealing mostly with the theme of Lucifer and his fallen angels. Susanne Arvidsson made guest vocal appearances on this release. Between May and June 2000, Andreas Karlsson, Anders Jacobsson, and Johan Ericson worked on the recorded material, improving the mix of the instruments and correcting effects. The demo was then released in the face of further line-up changes – Andy Hindenäs left the band, replaced by Johan Ericson who switched to guitars; drums were then left to Jerry Torstensson.

Record deal and debut album

Dark Oceans We Cry was recorded in 2002, featuring the vocal talents of Lisa Johansson for the first time. The EP was made available on the internet, as well as in CD format. In spite of the recent line-up changes, the demo received outstanding reviews and the band signed a long-awaited record deal with Napalm Records.

The band recorded their debut album, Where Lovers Mourn in Studio Mega under the supervision of Chris Silver (former member of Sundown and Cemetery) in July 2003.^[3]

Just two years later, under the direction of Pelle Saether, Draconian entered Studio Underground in Västerås to record Arcane Rain Fell in 2005.

Later releases

In 2006 they began working on their third release. However, due to myriad fan requests, the band decided to first deliver a bonus album to include remakes of old tracks from The Closed Eyes of Paradise demo. The Burning Halo would also include three new tracks and two covers. Plagued by numerous problems throughout the production phases, the album was delayed and finally completed in June and released in September 2006.^[2][4]

In September 2007, Draconian started to record their 4th album Turning Season Within at the Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, with producers Jens Bogren and David Castillo (Opeth, Katatonia) The album was released in February, 2008.

In October 2010, it was announced on the band's official website that Draconian had entered the studio to start recording their new album, stating that a release could be expected in spring 2011.^[5] The album was mastered on April the 1st 2011, confirmed by an official forum post by J. Ericson. The album will, according to the band, have a style closer to their older albums, incorporating violins in some of its tracks. In December, the band announced that they would be playing at the Metal Female Voices Fest IX, taking place in October 2011.^[6]

On June 24th, 2011, Draconian released their new album A Rose for the Apocalypse.^[7] On June 25th, 2011, the band also released an official music video from the album A Rose for the Apocalypse for the song "The Last Hour of Ancient Sunlight."^[8]

On November 15th, 2011, Lisa Johansson left the band due to personal reasons, mainly spending time home with her family.^[9]

On September 19, 2012 the band officially announced their new female vocalist: Heike Langhans (:LOR3L3I:, ISON, Ex-inferium).^[8]

On October 30th, 2015, Sovran, the sixth studio album of the band was released via Napalm Records. It was mixed and mastered by Jens Bogren, with whom they've already worked, at Fascination Street Studios. Sovran is the first album of Draconian with Heike Langhans whom, besides the vocals, has co-written with Anders Jacobsson the lyrics of the tracks "Dishearten", "Dusk Mariner" and "The Marriage of Attaris".^[10]

Members

Current members

• Johan Ericson – Drums (1994-2002), Vocals (backing) (1997-present), Lead Guitars (2002-present)
• Anders Jacobsson – Keyboards (1994-1999), Vocals (1994-present)
• Jerry Torstensson – drums, percussion (2000–present)
• Daniel Arvidsson – rhythm guitar (2005–present)
• Heike Langhans - vocals (2012–present)

Former members

• Fredrik Johansson – bass (2006–2016)
• Lisa Johansson – vocals (2002–2011)
• Andreas Karlsson – keyboards, programming (1997–2008)
• Magnus Bergström – rhythm guitar (1996–2005)
• Jesper Stolpe – bass (1994–2002, 2004–2005)
• Thomas Jäger – bass (2002–2004)
• Andy Hindenäs – lead guitar (1994–2002)
• Susanne Arvidsson – vocals, keyboards (1995–1997)

Session members

• Jessica Eriksson – flute, vocals on Shades of a Lost Moon
• Andreas Haag – keyboards on Shades of a Lost Moon
• Olof Götlin – violin on Where Lovers Mourn
• Paul Kuhr – vocals on Turning Season Within

Live members

• Lisa Cuthbert - female vocals (2016-present)
• Daniel Änghede - bass (2016-present)
• Tarald Lie - drums (2016-present)
• Elena Andersson - keyboard (2006-2007)

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

• Where Lovers Mourn (2003)
• Arcane Rain Fell (2005)
• The Burning Halo (2006)
• Turning Season Within (2008)
• A Rose for the Apocalypse (2011)
• Sovran (2015)

Singles

• No Greater Sorrow (Digital download, 2008)
• The Last Hour of Ancient Sunlight (2011)
• Demon You / Lily Anne (Twenty Years in Tears - A Tribute to Lake of Tears, 2012)
• Stellar Tombs (2015)
• Rivers Between Us (featuring Daniel Änghede, 2015)

Demo albums

• Shades of a Lost Moon (1996)
• In Glorious Victory (1997)
• The Closed Eyes of Paradise (1999)
• Frozen Features (2000)
• Dark Oceans We Cry (2002)

Music videos

• "The Last Hour of Ancient Sunlight" (2011)
• "Stellar Tombs" (2016)

References

External links

• Official website