Draconian
Draconian
Hey there, how are things in Sweden right now?
Dark and cold, the usual winter here in Sweden.
How is the doom metal scene in Sweden now a days?
Nothing much happening, some new bands pop up now and then but nothing special. Candlemass is releasing a new album in the summer, that’s good.
You are in Draconian delivering gothic/doom, a style not many bands are practicing anymore. Why did you choose that path?
From the beginning we didn’t sound like we do today. We played more of slow and melodic version of death metal. It has since then slowly developed into the music we play today. The final transformation I think took place when our guitar player Andy left the band and I took over the guitar. I was originally the drummer. I have always been influenced by bands like Anathema, My Dying Bride and Paradise Lost and I think their music is genuine and real. The fans in the genre are also great, true music lovers that cares about the feelings translated thru music. I feel that this is where we truly belong.
You have just released your second full length album “Arcane Rain Fell”, the follow up to the brilliant “Where Lovers Mourn”, how do you feel about the album?
I’m very satisfied with the result. It has a bigger sound. It’s heavier but yet very melodic and the production is just great. We recorded it in Studio Underground, Västerås with producer Pelle Saether. A very talented and nice guy. It has a great feeling throughout the whole album and should in my opinion be listened to as a whole piece.
Is it better than “Where Lovers Mourn” in your own eyes?
Oh, yes. It’s so much better than our first album. “Where Lovers Mourn” had no real power and I wasn’t that happy with the production. It’s a good album it contained too many different styles of music.
What do you think are the forces and weak spots of both your albums?
I don’t see any weak spots on the new album. On “Where Lovers Mourn” I consider “The Cry of Silence” to be one of the highlights but as I mentioned earlier the production and material isn’t as strong as on the new album.
How has “Arcane Rain Fell” been received so far?
Just great, it’s all been good I think. The press seem to be more interested in this release than our previous. And I think it’s great. It’s a very good record and it deserves to get mentioned in the press. Not many sound like we do today, not really.
What do you expect from the album?
A tour would be nice. A lot of gigs.
How well was “Where Lovers Mourn” received and do you know how many copies you have sold?
It received good reviews and I think it’s about 8000 units sold. I’m not sure.
How do you get inspired to make the music?
Usually I just sit down and write a riff. When inspiration comes it’s often from movies or other bands. It can be a chord structure, a drum beat or a dialog in a movie. Anything really. Silence is also a great source of inspiration. Much can come from the depths of nothingness.
Any certain moods you have to be in, and do you know what trigger these moods etc… where you find inspiration?
As I said, silence is a big inspiration. I work best in the morning.
On a rainy day, looking out the window enjoying the first cup of coffee for the day can trigger many ideas in my head. Also feeling sorry for myself…he he!
How do you write the music in Draconian, is it a band effort or do you all bring final songs and polish them or…?
I usually write the songs at home by myself. I record all guitars, bass, keys and program a drum track. I also usually lay down a vocal track If I have any ideas for certain parts of the song. Then I give it to Anders Jacobsson (male vocals) who writes the lyrics and comes up with more vocal ideas. After that I present the song to the band and we rehearse it and see what more each one of us can bring to the song, often re-arrangement or something. Then I record the changes we agreed on at home on my computer and that is usually the pre-production we use for the studio. It’s so easy with hard disk recording, to move around different parts in a song to see what fits.
Where do you find inspiration for the lyrics?
I can not speak for him entirely but I think Anders is influenced by everything from old poetry to everyday things. His feelings towards the world, his true self. All that surrounds him.
How important are the lyrics in the universe of Draconian, equally the music or less important?
Equally important, I think Anders feels as much pressure as I when it comes to improve his lyric writing as me with making the music. The music is an extension of the lyrics and if the words are not meaningful, the song has no soul or depth.
How are the lyrics made and arranged between Anders and Lisa Johansson (female vocalist)?
When it comes to Anders and Lisa, Anders writes the lyrics. Mostly he has in consideration what parts Lisa should sing while he writes. Sometimes I come up with a vocal melody for Lisa and he write words to fit in with the melody. It comes very naturally.
Both your full length releases have featured excellent cover artwork, who is responsible for that and who came up with the main idea for it?
Both artworks were made by Travis Smith (Opeth, Nevermore etc.) I don’t really remember who came up with idea for “Where Lovers Mourn”. I think it was Travis who already had made similar artwork that wasn’t used. We looked at it and came up with some more ideas. That’s it. With “Arcane Rain Fell” we knew we wanted some kind of angel or statue on the cover surrounded by a grey, cold and barren landscape. One idea led to another and Travis made several versions of the cover. Then we finally voted within the group which one to take.
Development is an important part of a bands identity, though many gothic/doom bands have developed away from their gothic/doom base in several ways. How do you see Draconian develop in the future and will you leave your gothic/doom base?
No, we will not leave the doom/gothic genre as I see it. There’s so much more to explore and contribute to the genre so I think we will stay true to it. I really enjoy making this kind of music and it really speaks to the listener. It’s so full of emotion. In a world full of shallow people and fake pop bands festering the music industry, we must continue on our path. Otherwise music is dead. There must always be real music for real people.
When will we see Draconian live on tour in Scandinavia?
I have no idea, soon I hope!!!
Will you share your 3 all time favourite metal albums with the Scandinavian metal heads?
No easy question! Here’s some of them, in no particular order though.
Pentagram - Review Your Choices/ Day of Reckoning/ Pentagram
Anathema – Silent Enigma /Eternity/ Alternative 4/ Judgement
Paradise Lost – Shades of God
Camel – Rajaz
Pink Floyd – Wish You Where Here
My Dying Bride – The Angel and the Dark River
Savatage – Hall of the…/Streets/ Edge of Thorns
The list goes on and on…
Thanks a ton for answering my questions, if you have anything to add, feel free to do it now!
Nothing really. Hopefully we’ll see you on tour soon!
[This interview was first published on the now defunct scandinavianmetal.info webzine]
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