Sweden's Draconian return with their second release, Arcane Rain Fell. This is pure Gothic/Doom Metal: gentle and pleasing, bittersweet and cutting. Melancholic female vocals harmoniously compliment heavy guitars and atmos... more »pheric keyboard lines, with aggressive male vocals giving the tracks an added edge. Draconian perfectly balances heaviness and melody, and will charm fans of both the gothic and doom genre.« less
Sweden's Draconian return with their second release, Arcane Rain Fell. This is pure Gothic/Doom Metal: gentle and pleasing, bittersweet and cutting. Melancholic female vocals harmoniously compliment heavy guitars and atmospheric keyboard lines, with aggressive male vocals giving the tracks an added edge. Draconian perfectly balances heaviness and melody, and will charm fans of both the gothic and doom genre.
CD Reviews
60 minutes of beautifully executed despair.
Ben Stubbs | Australia | 05/21/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Somehow I missed out on Draconian's debut album "Where Lovers Mourn", which is surprising considering just how much this band fits into my taste classifications. What we have here is doom / death metal in its purest, most beautiful, desperate form, with male death vocals, exquisite female vocals, crushing riffs and atmosphere galore. Being that some of my favourite bands are My Dying Bride, Swallow the Sun, Rapture etc., this formula is guaranteed to grab my attention, but that's not to say that I'm not critical of albums in this style when they're not up to the high standards set by the above listed bands.
Right from the outset, "Arcane Rain Fell" is beautifully bleak and emotionally powerful with rain and thunder setting the mood and increasing the effectiveness of the slow melodious dirge that follows. In fact, the first track "A Scenery of Loss" is the highlight of the album for me, being a 9 minute epic that showcases the songwriting abilities of these Swedish doomsters. It also displays how effective female vocals can be used in doom when it's done properly. Lisa has a fantastic voice that isn't too operatic, and instead both tender and powerful.
There is definitely an obvious similarity to My Dying Bride and Novembers Doom in Draconian's music, but that can only be a good thing in my book, and it's not distractingly so. I guess the only thing I will complain about is their occasional use of speed. The band definitely works best during the slower intense sections. When they do try to change the pace, which is a perfectly good thing to do, they tend to chug along a bit like early My Dying Bride used to do before "Turn Loose the Swans". But I guess it really just makes it all the more satisfying when they crunch back down into doomier realms. What's amazing, is that I have found myself enjoying this album immensely and I can already place the name Draconian up with all the above mentioned bands without them looking out of place.
If you're even slightly into the darker side of doom, then "Arcane Rain Fell" is a classic and you can buy it blindly. It's 60 minutes of beautifully executed despair."
Heartbreakingly Beautiful
Marco Da Cola | Australia | 06/05/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It is clear from first listening to this masterpiece that Draconian owe an obvious debt to My Dying Bride. From the opening sounds of rain and thunder and the painful, wailing guitar sequences, you would be forgiven for thinking that this is the latest release from the English grand masters of doom metal. So originality is clearly not Draconian's strong point, but creating an hour's worth of atmosphere, horror and wonder most certainly is. This album requires patience and concentration, and if you are willing to put in the effort you will be rewarded by a deeply moving experience which will live with you long after the album's closing moments. Throughout, Anders Jacobsson's death growls are perfectly complemented by the haunting beauty of Lisa Johansson's clear, operatic voice. This cannot be recommended highly enough. If you like painful, morbid doom metal, this is one for you."
A perfect slice of doom and gloom.
Sera69 | 10/28/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For anyone mourning the demise of Paradise Lost... (i.e. disappointed with the path PL took after 'Gothic' ) Then Draconian are the antidote.
This album is near as dammit the album Paradise Lost should have recorded as their third LP. It's dark and heavy; fast when necessary but not afraid to slow thing's right down and allow some haunting ethereal female vocals take center stage. Like PL, Draconian have a throaty and gutteral vocalist who, despite his roar, is not unintelligable; which makes everything very listenable. It makes you want to sing, sorry... I mean roar, along.
Don't think, though, that Draconinan are getting all their five stars because they are some kind of very good Paradise Lost tribute band. They would be nothing if they didn't also have the tunes, riffs, atmosphere and most importantly, an individuality to carry it off. This is a progression and an expansion on the 'Gothic' template; bigger, grander and darker.
Maybe it's not better than 'Gothic,' but it's as indispensible.
I will definitely be investigating Draconian's catalogue with more enthusiasm than i experienced Paradise Lost's!"
INCREDIBLE
Sera69 | 12/09/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"First off, I am old enough to write a review. But, I don't wanna make an account. Anyway, onto the album.
This album is incredible, and I don't even like Doom Metal music that much.Draconian is the only Doom Metal band I really love. Like someone else said, Draconian sounds like a mixture of My Dying Bride, Opeth, and Tristania.
The vocals in this band are incredible. You can actually feel the pain they are feeling. It may even make you cry. I love Anders's growls and screams and talking. Except for just hearing growling, you can feel his pain and it is beautiful yet so sad. Lisa has an amazing voice; Beautiful and full of emotion.
All of the songs are really great, but long.
1. A Scenery Of Loss- Great song. I love everything about it. Simply great, and a wonderful way to start off the album. 10/10
2. Daylight Misery- This is another great song. I love the lyrics in the chorus so much. 10/10
3. The Apostasy Canticle- Here it is, the best song on the album. It's fantastic. My favorite part is in the middle when Anders is talking and the guitars sounds so awesome and pretty. Lisa has no part in it, though. Still incredible and my favorite. 10/10
4. Expostulation- This song isn't really anything, just talking and some choir in the backround. But you know what? I love it still! 10/10
5. Heaven Laid In Tears (Angels Lament)- Another great song. I love Lisa's backround humming while Anders is screaming. 10/10
6. The Abhorrent Rays- Probably the worst song on the album, yet I still like it. I adore the opening riff, but then it doesn't get so great form then on. Still a good song, though. 8/10
7. The Everlasting Scar- Oh my god, this song is SO sad. It's incredible, though. But the last few sentences Anders screams...oh my god, it will bring tears to your eyes. Everyone can relate to what he is saying. Amazing song, yet very sad. 10/10
8. Death, Come Near Me- Unfortunately, I have never heard the full 15 minutes of this song, I have only heard the 4:28 version. That version I think is very good. Sad, but great. 10/10
The lyrics are incredible. Very sad, touching and moving. I love Anders!
Overall, this album is just incredible. It's a depressing album but still fantastic. I wasn't crazy about it at first, but now I am! Even if you don't like Doom Metal, still get this. Highly recommended for a metal fan.
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1