- Draconian (band)
-
Draconian Origin Säffle, Sweden Genres Melodeath/Black metal (early)[1]
Death/doom metal, Gothic metal[2]Years active 1994–present Labels Napalm Associated acts DOOM:VS
Nibdem
Scorched
ShadowgardenWebsite www.draconian.se Members Johan Ericson
Anders Jacobsson
Andreas Karlsson
Jerry Torstensson
Daniel Arvidsson
Fredrik JohanssonPast members Lisa Johansson
Andy Hindenäs
Jesper Stolpe
Susanne Arvidsson
Magnus Bergström
Thomas JägerDraconian is a doom metal band from Säffle, Sweden formed in 1994. The band consists of Anders Jacobsson (vocals, writing), Johan Ericson (guitars, writing), Jerry Torstensson (drums, percussion), Daniel Arvidsson (guitars), Fredrik Johansson (bass), and Andreas Karlsson (keyboards, programming).[1]
Contents
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.[1]
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,[1] 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.[1]
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]
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.[1][4]
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 November 15th, 2011, Lisa Johansson left the band due to personal reasons, mainly spending time home with her family.[8]
Members
Current members
- Johan Ericson – backing vocals, lead guitar (1994–present)
- Anders Jacobsson – vocals (1995–present)
- Jerry Torstensson – drums, percussion (2000–present)
- Daniel Arvidsson – rhythm guitar (2005–present)
- Fredrik Johansson – bass (2006–present)
Former members
- Lisa Johansson – vocals (2001–2011)
- Andy Hindenäs – guitar (1994–2000)
- Jesper Stolpe – bass (1994–2002, 2004–2006)
- Susanne Arvidsson – vocals, keyboards (1995–1997)
- Magnus Bergström – guitar (1995–2005)
- Thomas Jäger – bass (2002–2004)
- Andreas Karlsson – keyboards, programming (1997–2008)
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
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)
- Singles
- No Greater Sorrow (Digital download, 2008)
- Demo albums
- Shades of a Lost Moon (1995)
- In Glorious Victory (1997)
- The Closed Eyes of Paradise (1999)
- Frozen Features (2000)
- Dark Oceans We Cry (2002)
References
- ^ a b c d e f "allmusic ((( Draconian > Biography )))". Allmusic.com. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p667363/biography. Retrieved 2010-08-01.
- ^ Pardo, Pete (February 6, 2008). "Review: "Draconian: Turning Season Within" - Sea of Tranquility". seaoftranquility.com,. http://www.seaoftranquility.org/reviews.php?op=showcontent&id=6128. Retrieved 2010-08-01.
- ^ "BLABBERMOUTH.NET - DRACONIAN Announce New Bassist". Blabbermouth News Archive. April 9, 2006. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=50757. Retrieved 2010-08-01.
- ^ "BLABBERMOUTH.NET - DRACONIAN, AUTUMNAL Confirmed For Spain's MADRID IS THE DARK FEST". Blabbermouth News Archive. April 14, 2009. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=118133. Retrieved 2010-08-01.
- ^ "Draconian enters the studio". Draconian.se. http://www.draconian.se/main.html. Retrieved 2010-10-14.
- ^ "Confirmed for MFVF IX". Draconian.se. http://www.draconian.se/main.html. Retrieved 2010-12-04.
- ^ "Draconian Releases". Draconian.se. http://www.draconian.se/releases.php. Retrieved 2011-07-25.
- ^ http://www.draconian.se/main.php
<ref>tag with name"official_webpage"defined in<references>is not used in prior text; see the help page.External links
Categories:- Swedish death metal musical groups
- Swedish gothic metal musical groups
- Swedish doom metal musical groups
- Musical groups established in 1994
- Musical septets
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
