Draconian – A Rose For The Apocalypse

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Whilst at the time A Rose For The Apocalypse, the fourth album from Swedish gothic doomsters Draconian, was merely a well accomplished return after a three year absence, it has since had the unfortunate distinction of being the final album to feature long-running vocalist Lisa Johansson. Lisa left the band for personal reasons several months after the album was released, having appeared on every album since their formal debut in ’03. Whilst this circumstance is unfortunate, A Rose For The Apocalypse holds incredibly well as Lisa’s unexpected swansong for the band. Stylistically the album continues very much in the vein of previous releases, and on the whole doesn’t offer anything too surprising – it is, for all effective purposes, more of the same. However the general rule of ‘if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it’ applies, and the familiarity of the album should be a boon to Draconian fans rather than something to complain about. The familiar and characteristic sound of long, gloomy songs punctuated by immensely large and intensely slow guitar riffs fill the album, coupled with the low, booming growl of Anders Jacobsson and Lisa’s soft, delicate voice – a voice that sounds beautiful and yet so totally despairing at the same time. Draconian’s mission statement is to make heavy, depressing music and A Rose For The Apocalypse definitely fulfills, though does so with an apt sense of melody that should still make the album palatable for those not so keen on doom. A fitting album for Lisa’s departure.

Written by James Donovan
More: 2011, Albums, Female-fronted, Gothic, Quick.Play Reviews, Draconian