Author: Editorial Team

Frontiers Records presents the new single “My Guardian Angel,” a new version of the song originally recorded by Place Vendome in 2009. The band featured Helloween and Unisonic vocalist Michael Kiske, Dennis Ward on bass and production, Kosta Zafiriou on drums, Uwe Reitenauer on guitars, from the band Pink Cream 69, and Gunther Werno on keyboards from the band Vanden Plas.

Featuring Maestrick’s vocalist Fabio Caldeira, the new track is part of the upcoming XXX Anniversary Compilation, a special project celebrating 30 years of passion, creativity, and unforgettable music. The record is set for release on May 22, 2026, and will be available only on CD on the label’s webstore.

Fabio Caldeira comments: “Participating in Frontiers’ 30th anniversary is already something truly special, but being chosen to perform a song originally sung by Michael Kiske – one of my greatest vocal heroes – makes it an even greater honor. I sincerely hope you enjoy it.”

Starting from an idea of Serafino Perugino, the XXX Anniversary Compilation brings together some of the greatest melodies and voices from the world of melodic rock. This special release celebrates the label’s rich legacy by revisiting iconic tracks from the Frontiers catalogue, reimagined with dynamic new performances from an extraordinary lineup of guest vocalists.

Each track has been recorded exclusively for this anniversary project and showcases the powerful reinterpretation of beloved Frontiers classics through the voices of today’s standout rock artists.

Aldo Lonobile, Head of A&R Europe at Frontiers Label Group and producer of the record, comments: “Producing the 30th anniversary record for Frontiers Records has been both an honor and a responsibility. This label has built a legacy on passion and vision, and, with this album, we wanted to celebrate that history in a meaningful way. Having a mix of established and new generation of Frontiers artists reinterpret the iconic tracks that shaped our identity is more than a tribute – it’s a bridge between eras.

“With a tracklist discussed together with the Frontiers President Serafino Perugino, this record is a celebration of where we come from, and a powerful statement of where we’re headed”, he continued.

Under the expert production of Lonobile – who also performs part of the guitars on the album – the performances are backed by a stellar lineup of musicians: Alessandro Mammola (guitar), Andrea Arcangeli (bass), Cristian Timpanaro (bass), the keyboards team – Alessio Lucatti & Antonio Agate, Alfonso Mocerino, and Fortunato Grillo on drums, delivering powerful new arrangements that bring renewed energy to these fan-favorite tracks.

XXX Anniversary Compilation isn’t just a compilation – it’s a tribute to 30 years of rock excellence, a heartfelt thank you to the artists, fans, and collaborators who have been part of the Frontiers Records story.

Pre-order XXX Anniversary Compilation here.

The post FRONTIERS RECORDS Presents Cover Of PLACE VENDOME’s “My Guardian Angel” Featuring FABIO CALDEIRA appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Social Distortion are back with new material, dropping the track “Partners In Crime” as the second preview of their upcoming eighth studio record, Born To Kill. The song follows the release of the album’s title track and gives a clearer sense of what the band has been building toward after a long gap between releases.

Frontman Mike Ness explained the meaning behind the new single, saying, “‘Partners In Crime’ is about finding your voice, especially if you weren’t allowed or if it didn’t matter. And finding comfort in others who share the same sentiment, angst and rage. Strength in unity.”

Set for release on May 8 through Epitaph Records, Born To Kill arrives after a 15-year stretch without a new Social Distortion album. The record brings together 11 tracks rooted in the band’s established mix of grit, melody, and reflection, shaped by decades of experience.

This is also the first album since Ness went through cancer treatment, and that context carries into the tone of the material. The songs lean into a sense of forward motion while staying grounded in the band’s core sound.

The album opens with a clear statement of intent, with references that point back to key influences. Lines across the record nod to Lou Reed (“rock ‘n’ roll animal gonna come your way!”), Iggy Pop and The Stooges (“The agenda is, yeah, to search and destroy”), along with a later reference to David Bowie (“it’s a rock ‘n’ roll suicide”) within “Partners In Crime”. The influences are direct, but they’re folded into the band’s own identity rather than overshadowing it.

Elsewhere, songs like “Tonight” and “The Way Things Were” lean into a more reflective side, echoing the emotional weight found in earlier tracks like “Story Of My Life” from Social Distortion and “I Was Wrong” from White Light, White Heat, White Trash. That thread continues in a line that sums up the band’s long-standing outlook: “I wrote a song with a stolen riff / If you ain’t got a song you ain’t got shit.”

After more than four decades, Social Distortion continue to refine what they do, balancing the raw edge of punk with a sense of perspective that comes from time and experience. Born To Kill looks set to carry that forward without straying from the foundation they built years ago.

The post SOCIAL DISTORTION Unveils “Partners In Crime” From Upcoming Album “Born To Kill” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition has now a new official trailer out via Trafalgar Releasing, offering another look at the upcoming feature-length documentary centered on Iron Maiden.

The film, which documents one of heavy metal’s most enduring careers, is scheduled for a limited theatrical run starting May 7, 2026. It follows the band’s path across five decades, capturing both the scale of their success and the groundwork that built it.

Directed by Malcolm Venville (Churchill At War) and produced by Dominic Freeman (Spirits In The Forest – A Depeche Mode Film), the documentary traces Iron Maiden from their early beginnings through their rise into a global force.

The film also brings in outside perspectives, with appearances from figures like Javier Bardem, Lars Ulrich, and Chuck D, all reflecting on the band’s impact across music and culture.

When the project was first previewed in February, artwork by Albert Quirantes gave fans an initial visual identity for the release.

The timing lines up with the band’s current Run For Your Lives world tour, a two-year run that has already included a major hometown show at London Stadium, not far from where the band first took shape.

Formed in 1975 by bassist Steve Harris, Iron Maiden built their reputation steadily, starting with their self-titled debut Iron Maiden in 1980. Over the years, they have released 17 studio albums, along with a large catalog of live releases and singles, moving more than 100 million records worldwide.

Their touring history is just as extensive, with nearly 2,500 shows played across 64 countries. For a stretch of those tours, the band traveled aboard Ed Force One—first a Boeing 757 and later a Boeing 747—flown by vocalist Bruce Dickinson.

Among their recognitions are a Grammy Award and a Brit Award, along with more recent acknowledgment alongside The Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd through their own Royal Mail stamp collection.

Outside music, their Trooper Beer brand has passed 40 million pints sold and is now available in 68 countries, with localized versions in markets including the U.S., Germany, and Brazil.

The band marked its 50th anniversary in 2025, celebrating with the ongoing Run For Your Lives tour and additional releases such as their first official hardcover visual history, Infinite Dreams.

The post IRON MAIDEN Unveils New Trailer For “Burning Ambition” Documentary appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Dokken, formed in Los Angeles in 1978, had several hit singles which charted on the Billboard Hot 100, such as “Alone Again”, “In My Dreams”, and “Burning Like a Flame”, and has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide. The classic Dokken line-up consisted of founder Don Dokken on vocals, George Lynch on lead guitar, Mick Brown on drums, and Jeff Pilson on bass.

Released in 1999, Erase the Slate marked a fresh chapter for Dokken, introducing Reb Beach (best known for Winger and later Whitesnake) as the band’s lead guitarist. Erase the Slate blends Dokken’s classic melodic metal roots with a more modern, late-’90s hard rock edge. Reb Beach brought a technically sharp yet fluid guitar style that differed from the flashier, more aggressive approach of former guitarist George Lynch. His playing added a polished, groove-oriented feel while still delivering strong solos and riffs.

The album is available through Deko Entertainment for the first time in the United States on 180g vinyl. Completely remastered, repackaged, and limited to only 500 copies of each variation, including a beautiful Green Smoke and classic Black. Erase the Slate includes standout tracks “Erase The Slate”, “Change the World”, as well as a cover of the Harry Nilsson song “One” made popular by Three Dog Night. This is a must-have for any Dokken fan!

Pre-order Erase the Slate while supplies last, shipping in July 2026 at this location.

The post DOKKEN’s “Erase The Slate” To Be Released On Vinyl In The US For The First Time appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Swedish progressive metal masterminds Evergrey have shared another single from their new album, Architects Of A New Weave, out June 5, 2026, via Napalm Records.

Full of regret, “The World Is On Fire” stages personal emotions as global pain, the apology reverberating, resonating. Enormous, cinematic melodies pull the listener upward, driven by riffs with genuine weight and bite, while vocals dripping with raw, unflinching truth give voice to a deep, aching sense of longing. 

That longing finds its most intimate expression in the dead of night – when you pull your loved one close, just to feel them breathe – and are confronted with a devastating realization: the promise of a safe tomorrow is a lie you can no longer keep.

“The World Is On Fire” comes with an official music video and also marks the official introduction of guitarist Stephen Platt (Scar Symmetry), who had already been touring with Evergrey as a live guitarist in 2025. He now officially joins as a full-time band member.

Pre-order the album here.

Evergrey comment: “We played a lot of shows with Stephen Platt already, he’s an incredibly lovely human being on top of being a brilliant guitar player, we couldn’t be happier to have him join us for real!”

Stephen Platt reflects: “I’m so happy to become the new guitarist of Evergrey. I’ve been a fan of the band for a long time now and am extremely honored to have been asked by this group of incredible musicians and people. Looking forward to seeing what the future holds!”

Tom S. Englund about the new single ‘The World Is On Fire’: “‘The World Is On Fire’ was one of those rare songs that reached inside me and articulated feelings I hadn’t even fully recognized yet. Once again, our timing, just as with the song ‘Save Us’ is both haunting and profound. To me, this isn’t just a lament—it’s an uprising. It’s a defiant stand against the forces that thrive on chaos, fear, and silence. They want us scared, quiet, and compliant. But all we want is to raise free-spirited, free-thinking, and independent children who can help build a better world—for us, for them, and for everyone. The devastating lack of compassion and humanity is at the root of everything we see around us. This song isn’t passive acceptance or mere description of our broken reality. It’s us boldly painting a picture of the world we refuse to accept.”

Architects Of A New Weave, will be released just days before the band takes the stage as special guest to the undisputed kings of heavy metal, Iron Maiden, for two shows on their Run For Your Lives World Tour. This is the wake-up call you didn’t know you needed: A plunge into thinning air, burning worlds, and lingering guilt—only to break free with fierce momentum. The album refuses to wallow. It ascends—fast, heavy, and cinematic. But it refuses to hide in the dark. It rises: Quick, fierce, and utterly transformative.

Dive into Architects Of A New Weave’s standout tracks like “The World is on Fire”, “Leaving The Emptiness”, “Heaven”, and “The Prophecy”, and the breathtaking title anthem “Architects Of The New Weave”. Their choruses break through like sunlight piercing storm clouds: enormous, cinematic melodies that pull you upward, riffs with genuine weight and bite, and vocals dripping with raw, unflinching truth. In one breath, you’re shouldering buried longing; in the next, you’re weightless, fearless, endless. Scars transform into badges of survival, fractures fuel reinvention. In the second half of the album, fellow Gothenburg icon Mikael Stanne (Dark Tranquillity, The Halo Effect, Grand Cadaver, Cemetery Skyline) joins Tom S. Englund in vocal duties for “A Burning Flame”, the voices of the two scene legends intertwined compellingly. Architects Of A New Weave was produced by Tom S. Englund and Vikram Shankar, with a stellar mix by Adam “Nolly” Getgood.

Among other exclusive formats, Architects Of A New Weave comes with a bonus album, containing bonus tracks “Heights” and “One Heart”, as well as an album mix of the previously released standalone single “Oxygen!” (2025). Additionally, it features a demo version of “Longing”, instrumental tracks of “Leaving The Emptiness”, both new songs, as well as a live version of “Falling From The Sun”, the hit single off the previous record, Theories of Emptiness (2024) and continuation of “Ominous” off of A Heartless Portrait (The Orphean Testament) (2022).

Architects Of A New Weave is available for pre-order here, and will be available in the following formats:

• 2-LP Gatefold Deluxe Edition (incl. Bonus LP, LP-Sized 16p Booklet) – Napalm Records Mailorder
• Exclusive (strictly limited)
• 2-LP Gatefold White Label Edition (incl. Bonus LP/White Packaging, Hand-Numbered/Signed
• Covercard, Hand-Numbered Certificate, LP-Sized 16p Booklet) – Napalm Records Mailorder Exclusive
• (strictly limited) – SOLD OUT!
• 2-CD Digipack 24p (incl. 6 Tracks Bonus Album)
• 1-CD Jewel Case
• 1-LP Gatefold
• Digital Album Deluxe (incl. 6 Tracks Bonus Album)
• Digital Album

The post EVERGREY Share Music Video For New Single “The World Is On Fire”, Introduce New Guitarist appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Lord Of The Lost show their emotional side and present the final video of the OPVS Noir trilogy with the music video for their single “The Days Of Our Lives”. With the release of OPVS Noir Vol. 3 this Friday, April 10, the band concludes the album trilogy that began in the summer of 2025. “The Days Of Our Lives” is a soulful and seemingly hopeless ballad, situated somewhere between a soundtrack and cold electronica, and, as the closing track, serves as the curtain call for the entire work.

The most out-of-the-box of the full album trilogy, OPVS Noir Vol. 3, the third and final chapter of Lord Of The Lost‘s latest journey, sees the six-piece close this era on a fulminant high note, intertwining heavy guitars and dark electronica with compassionate messages and cinematic orchestrations. It continues to push the band’s unpredictable path without settling for the familiar. Rounding off this impressive work, the album takes listeners by the hand and guides them through their darkest paths.

Following the captivating Blood & Glitter, which brought them to the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 and a #1 chart entry in their native Germany to go along with it, Lord Of The Lost once again demonstrate their unmatched diversity on OPVS Noir Vol. 3. Initiated by beautiful cello melodies, “Kill The Lights” is an overture like no other, setting a dark mood, but also unafraid to switch it up to make room for catchy and reassuring “I’m A Diamond.” Stomping “I Hate People” invites horror punk icon Wednesday 13 to an industrial duet about equality, after which gentle “The Shadows Within” hits twice as hard with its symphonic arrangement.

Next, Chris Harms and parting Kissin’ Dynamite frontman Hannes Braun deliver “La Vie Est Hell,” before going back to “Square One.” “When Did The Love Break?” is a heartfelt song of lost love – the addition of whimsical vocals by Ambre Vourvahis of Xandria drives the emotions of this universal topic right home. After “Your Love Is Colder Than Death,” Lord Of The Lost team up with Damien Edwards of British glam rock band Cats In Space for the captivating duet “Take Me Far Away”, before the album closes with a ballad, “The Days Of Our Lives” – the sweeping track simultaneously being the closest Lord Of The Lost have ever been to a cinematic soundtrack. The happy ending is skipped, almost making it sound like a goodbye…

OPVS Noir Vol. 3 will be available in the following formats:

• 1-LP Liquid Vinyl PURPLE-BLACK with 12-page booklet – Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive (strictly limited) – SOLD OUT!
• 1-LP Gatefold SPLATTERED SILVER/BLACK with 12-page booklet – Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive (strictly limited)
• 1-LP Gatefold Cristallo with 12-page booklet – LORDSHOP exclusive (strictly limited)
• 1-LP Gatefold Recycled Black
• 1-CD in paper sleeve for everyone that already own a OPVS NOIR Collectors Edition (= Earbook or Wooden Box Set)
• 1-CD 6-page Digisleeve with 16-page booklet
• Music Cassette Noir with silver print – Napalm Records Mailorder & LORDSHOP exclusive (strictly limited) – SOLD OUT!
• Digital Album
• DEEP DIVE Edition, containing OPVS Noir Vol. 3 Digisleeve with 16-page booklet, USB Stick incl. 8 so called “audio stems” per song, so you can deep dive into listening to the vocals only, the guitars only, the drums only, and so on. Also perfect for musicians to create your own playthrough versions or for audio engineers to create remixes. CD and USB stick bundled in a cloth bag – Napalm Records Mailorder Europe & LORDSHOP exclusive

Get OPVS Noir Vol. 3 here.

The post LORD OF THE LOST Releases New Single “The Days Of Our Lives” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

A new official Pink Floyd compilation titled 8-Tracks is set for release on June 5 through Sony Music. The collection pulls together eight key songs from the band’s 1971–1979 period and will be available on vinyl, CD, and digital formats.

The tracklist brings together some of the band’s most recognizable material, including “Money,” “Wish You Were Here,” “Another Brick In The Wall, Part 2,” “Time” and “Comfortably Numb.” It also digs deeper with “One Of These Days” and “Wot’s… Uh The Deal,” along with a full version of “Pigs On The Wing” that was previously only issued on the 1977 Animals 8-track cartridge. The sequence has been reworked by Steven Wilson, who used sound effects from the original multitracks to create a seamless, continuous listening experience.

8-Tracks captures a defining stretch in Pink Floyd’s career, covering the years when the band moved into its most commercially and creatively dominant phase. The compilation draws from Meddle (1971), Obscured By Clouds (1972), The Dark Side Of The Moon (1973), Wish You Were Here (1975), Animals (1977), and The Wall (1979). These records mark the period where Pink Floyd moved beyond their early psychedelic beginnings and established themselves as a global force in rock.

This release works both as an entry point for new listeners and as a focused collection for longtime fans who want a concise look at that era.

The announcement follows a strong year for Pink Floyd. The 50th anniversary edition of Wish You Were Here reached the Top 10 worldwide and returned the band to the #1 spot in the UK, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland—five decades after its original release. Earlier in the year, the theatrical release of Pink Floyd at Pompeii – MCMLXXII performed strongly at the box office, while its soundtrack gave the band their first UK #1 album since The Endless River, their final studio release.

Pre-order 8-Tracks here.

The post PINK FLOYD Set To Release New “8-Tracks” Compilation Album appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

London-based Split Watches are proud to announce the global release of the official Ozzy Osbourne Tribute Watch: “The Ozzy” exclusively available Thursday, May 14 at Split Watches. This 50-piece limited-edition run celebrates Ozzy’s enduring cultural legacy and is priced at $2,960 (U.S.) with 100% of the proceeds being donated to MusiCares, the nonprofit partner of the Recording Academy and leading charity supporting the health and well-being of the music community.

“This watch represents something very meaningful–Ozzy always said, ‘Time is the most precious thing in the world. Be very careful not to waste it’”, Sharon Osbourne says. “We’re delighted that Split Watches created such a thoughtful piece that truly captures Ozzy’s spirit. The fact that they’re donating the proceeds to MusiCares, an organization that my husband and I have admired and supported for many years, is just fantastic. The money raised is a great way for us to continue to support MusiCares and the music community.”

The Ozzy is a tribute to a legend—Ozzy’s groundbreaking work via his solo career and as a member of Black Sabbath shaped hard rock for generations. For the Split founders, both lifelong fans of Sabbath and Ozzy, his impact goes far beyond the music.

“What Ozzy stood for is deeply ingrained in what we stand for and evident in every expression of the brand – he never pretended to be anything other than who he was” says Split co-founder Ed Margulies. “He was raw and human. No borrowed playbook, no ego, he pushed boundaries.”

For Split co-founder and former musician Dara Amjadi, Ozzy’s influence is deeply personal. “These were the posters on my wall growing up,” Dara says. “The records that shaped what I wanted to do with my life. Music like that stays with you. It’s part of who you become.”

The team adds, “Ozzy stepped into the wider public eye through The Osbournes and what he revealed went far beyond reality TV. He showed that firstly he was a great family man, and also that vulnerability isn’t a weight meant to hold people down—it’s a force that can set everyone free. By owning every flaw, every struggle, and every unfiltered moment, he gave people permission to do the same.

“That’s the spirit we want in everything we make. The watch is an expression of what Ozzy and his music represented to us. In that honesty, he forged something rare—an unspoken, unbreakable bond with people across the world. Split is for those who value authenticity over ego.”

“At MusiCares, we exist to support the people who make music possible, through every triumph and every hardship.” said Theresa Wolters, Executive Director of MusiCares. “Ozzy’s impact on music and culture is immeasurable, and just as important is how he cared for people who make music possible. We’re deeply grateful to Sharon Osbourne and Split Watches for honoring Ozzy’s legacy in such a beautiful and fitting way. Together, we ensure that music people have the help they need, to keep the music playing for all of us.”

The Ozzy is based on Split’s MC collection that features a revolutionary Seiko family automatic chronograph. Using the most advanced modern materials, the watch is intentionally designed to be unpolished and stripped back. The Ozzy features the rock legend’s iconic purple tinted glasses on the sub dials and his cross at 12 o’clock. Each piece is meticulously hand painted and Ozzy’s logo can be seen on the rotor through Split’s exhibition case back.

“We want our watches to start conversations that matter.” Dara says, “the conversations we rarely make time for.”

“Our collaboration with MusiCares started the way the best things often do, with a conversation,” the Split Team says. “One of our earliest clients, who worked in the music, spoke highly of MusiCares and introduced us. He wasn’t wrong. What we discovered wasn’t just a charity, but a much-needed support system for those in the industry. It only took a couple of conversations with Wynnie Wynn, to realize our shared values, love of music and a belief that it’s essential to create a safe space for people in the community to talk. From that point on, it became clear that we needed to do something together, something with intent and purpose. All proceeds from The Ozzy will support MusiCares, which provides critical health services, financial assistance, and mental health support to music professionals. MusiCares helps the humans behind the music because music gives so much to the world. The collaboration reflects a belief that objects we choose should carry meaning.”

The brand was founded by Ed and Dara after a dinner between two lifelong friends, discussing the need for a modern watch with greater meaning. Ed, a third-generation watchmaker trained in Switzerland, spent decades working with some of the most respected names in horology, including Audemars Piguet and Vacheron Constantin and Dara, is a former musician. Split brings together people who feel deeply and wear their feelings proudly. They don’t need to blend in or follow inherited rules.

Offering preventive, emergency, and recovery programs, MusiCares is a safety net supporting the health and welfare of the music community. Founded by the Recording Academy in 1989 as a U.S. based 501(c)(3) charity, MusiCares safeguards the well-being of all music people through direct financial grant programs, networks of support resources, and tailored crisis relief efforts. For more information please visit MusicCares website.

The post SPLIT Watches To Unveil “THE OZZY” The Official OZZY OSBOURNE Tribute Watch With 100% Of Proceeds Going To MusiCares appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Rock and metal icon Rob Zombie has unveiled the music video for his latest single, “The Black Scorpion,” taken from his acclaimed new album, The Great Satan. Bathed in eerie green light, Zombie and his crew rip through the blistering punk-metal track, which clocks in at under two minutes.

“The Black Scorpion,” along with recent standouts “F.T.W. 84,” “(I’m a) Rock ’N’ Roller,” “Heathen Days,” and “Punks And Demons,” marks Rob Zombie’s returns to the forefront of heavy music, further solidifying his already legendary status.

Across more than four decades, Zombie has cemented himself as a singular cultural force. Fusing avant-garde aesthetics with monstrous, groove-driven rock, his work has consistently defied convention. With The Great Satan, Zombie extends that legacy, delivering one of the boldest and most fully realized records of his career.

Purchase and/or stream The Great Satan here.

The post ROB ZOMBIE Delivers Gritty Video For “The Black Scorpion” From Latest Album “The Great Satan” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Swedish gothic doom metal entity Draconian reveal their new single, “Misantrophe River”, the second offering cut from their upcoming full-length, In Somnolent Ruin, to be released on May 8 via Napalm Records.

“Misantrophe River” confronts listeners in true Draconian fashion with life’s hardest questions, exploring feelings of alienation when swimming against the stream, and the search for direction in unfamiliar territory.

Ander Jacobsson comments about the new single: “‘Misanthrope River’ was the first song written for this album. The initial idea goes back to the early days of Under a Godless Veil, but it remained dormant until work on this record began. It’s an emotional gothic doom track- fairly minimalist, yet expansive in feel, with subtle touches that hint at post-metal and give the atmosphere a broader sense of depth. There’s a suggestion of something ancient and mysterious running through it. Although interactive, at its core, the song deals with separation and isolation in a world where the larger truth has been kept from you and how those feelings slowly turn into resentment. You’re pushing against the current wading upstream while doubting the way forward. In that struggle you’ll be grasping at straws for any sense of peace while unintentionally shutting out the one closest to you. Shot in the Faroe Islands, the video places its actors within vast, striking landscapes. It was directed by Gaui H., the same director behind “Cold Heavens””.

In Somnolent Ruin promises to be one of the most personal records in Draconian‘s discography, revealed through a dream-like journey across 9 tracks and the poetic lyricism of vocalist Anders Jacobsson. The new album also marks the return of long-time vocalist Lisa Johansson — the band’s vocalist for their first five records.

The album captures the essence of a band that no longer needs to prove anything — and yet still does. Active since the mid-1990s and having released their debut album, Where Lovers Mourn, in 2003, Draconian have continuously demonstrated their unmatched ability to craft otherworldly doom melodies and searing heavy instrumentation, complemented by lyrics that read like poetry. Their art cuts deep, compelling listeners to confront their inner demons, wander through the darkest shadows, and even embrace emotional numbness, only to emerge with a sense of inner peace. This album confronts listeners with life’s hardest questions, exploring feelings of alienation and the search for direction in unfamiliar territory.

In Somnolent Ruin will be available in the following formats:

• 2 CD 36-page Earbook incl. 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)
• 2-LP Gatefold Black Vinyl incl lyric sheet
• 1 CD Digipak
• Digital Album

Six years have passed since the band released its predecessor, Under a Godless Veil, Draconian‘s most successful record to date. Much has changed since then, yet everything feels familiar: After introducing new guitarist Niklas Nord (Myteri, DeathTrap, The Random Victims) in spring 2022, the band announced the return of vocalist Lisa Johansson, who now once again shares vocal duties with Anders Jacobsson, promising even more enigmatic music to come.

Johansson had been the band’s vocalist for their first five records before leaving Draconian in 2011 for personal reasons. In Somnolent Ruin marks her official comeback, following several live performances at festivals over the past years. The band’s renewed lineup is rounded out by Daniel Johansson (Antikult, ex-Wormwood), who joined Draconian as a full member in 2025 following Jerry Torstennson’s departure. Prior to that, Johansson had served as the band’s session drummer since 2019. It’s the first album on which longtime member Daniel Arvidsson can be heard on bass, to which he switched from guitar in 2022.

In Somnolent Ruin’s journey begins with “I Welcome Thy Arrow,” which captivates from the very first seconds through haunting melodies and a vocal interplay that embodies fragility and strength alike. Tracks such as “The Monochrome Blade” and “The Face of God” introduce increased tempo and eruptive vocal dynamics. “Anima” features Swedish artist Daniel Änghede, adding layers of emotional depth and confronting listeners with their darker impulses, capturing the sense of being lost and questioning one’s place in the world. “Asteria Beneath the Tranquil Sea” serves as a transitional interlude between “I Gave You Wings” and “Cold Heavens”, the latter exploring the delicate balance between life and death and not finding relief in any of both, while delivering the album’s most intense vocal performance. “Misanthrope River” opens with an extended instrumental passage and narration by Simon Bibby, slowing the tempo but by no means reducing the emotional weight, reflecting life’s daily struggles and obstacles. The closing track, “Lethe,” references the river of forgetfulness in Greek mythology. Those who drank from it would lose all memory. “Oh, shooting star… Drown in me! Drink. Forget. Repeat,” mourns Jacobsson through devilish growls. And yet, In Somnolent Ruin remains a work of art one wishes not to forget — not a single blink of an eye.

Pre-order In Somnolent Ruin here.

The post DRACONIAN Shares Second Single “Misantrophe River” From Upcoming Album “In Somnolent Ruin” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.