Gothic Doom Metal, band DRACONIAN is back and their new studio album, ‘In Somnolent Ruin‘. The album will see the light of day on May 8, 2026 via Napalm Records. The new album also marks the return of long-time vocalist Lisa Johansson – the band’s vocalist for their first five records – who now once again shares vocal duties with Anders Jacobsson. The lineup on the new album has been together and touring since 2022.

As a recurring theme on In Somnolent Ruin, DRACONIAN explore 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 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.”

In Somnolent Ruin will be available in the following formats:

• 2 CD 36-page Earbook In Somnolent Ruin & Bonus CD with 2 Tracks only available with this format (exclusively available via Napalm Records Mailorder)
• 2 LP Gatefold Picture Vinyl incl 24 pages 12’’ booklet (exclusively available via Napalm Records Europe Mailorder)
• 2 LP Gatefold Splattered Black Smoke/White Orange Black Vinyl incl 24 pages 12’’ booklet (exclusively available via Napalm Records Mailorder)
• 2 LP Gatefold Gold Vinyl incl lyric sheet (exclusively available via Napalm Records Mailorder)
• 1 CD Digipak
• Digital Album