Origin : Sweden
Genre : Gothic Doom Death Metal
Release : 2008 (Special Edition)
Album Info / Review
Intro:
The Swedish purveyors of melancholic doom metal, Draconian, return with “Turning Season Within,” an album that delves deep into the frostbitten heart of their signature sound. Emerging from the shadows of their previous, more overtly Gothic-tinged works, this seventh full-length offering finds the band embracing a starker, more introspective atmosphere. The production, helmed by David Castillo, eschews overt polish for a raw, visceral edge, allowing the intricate interplay of crushing guitars and ethereal vocals to breathe with a chilling authenticity. This is not an album for the faint of heart, but for those who find solace in the bleak beauty of a world slowly succumbing to winter’s icy grip.
Track Analysis:
“The Wounded Sun” erupts with a seismic riff, a slow-burning inferno that immediately establishes the album’s somber trajectory. Anders Jacobsson’s guttural growls are a tempestuous force, while Heike Langhans’ soprano weaves a tapestry of sorrowful lament, a fragile counterpoint to the sonic devastation. The mid-section introduces a mournful acoustic passage, a fleeting moment of respite before the storm reclaims its dominance.
“From the Grief Into the Void” showcases Draconian’s mastery of dynamic shifts. The initial lumbering doom is punctuated by bursts of melodicism, the guitar leads crying out with an almost unbearable pathos. The interplay between the clean and harsh vocals is particularly effective here, creating a palpable sense of internal conflict.
“The Desolate Bloom” is a masterclass in atmospheric tension. The slow, deliberate pace allows each note to resonate, the guitars imbued with a mournful resonance. Langhans’ vocal performance is particularly captivating, her voice imbued with a spectral quality that evokes images of windswept ruins.
“The Season of the Unseen” picks up the tempo slightly, though the inherent melancholy remains unyielding. A driving bassline underpins a crushing riff, creating a sense of relentless forward momentum, a grim march towards an inevitable conclusion. The solo work here is restrained but potent, adding layers of emotional depth.
“The Shadow of the Sun” returns to a more traditional doom structure, with colossal riffs and a suffocating atmosphere. The contrast between the guttural roars and the angelic cleans is stark, highlighting the duality of despair and fleeting hope.
“Turning Season Within” itself is the album’s emotional core. The title track is an epic journey through desolation, building from a whisper to a roar. The orchestral elements, subtly woven into the fabric of the song, add a grandiosity that amplifies the sense of loss.
“The Silent Garden” offers a more introspective and delicate moment. The acoustic guitar work is prominent, a fragile bloom in the barren landscape. Langhans’ vocals are delivered with a haunting vulnerability, painting a picture of profound solitude.
“Children of the Grey” concludes the album with a crushing, monolithic statement. The riffs are dense and suffocating, the growls a primal scream against the encroaching darkness. It’s a fittingly bleak and powerful finale, leaving the listener immersed in the album’s pervasive sense of desolation.
Conclusion:
“Turning Season Within” solidifies Draconian’s position as masters of modern doom metal. While it may not reinvent their sound, it refines and intensifies it, offering an album of profound emotional weight and unwavering atmosphere. The band’s ability to craft music that is both crushing and beautiful, bleak and captivating, is on full display. This is an album that demands repeated listens, revealing new layers of despair and beauty with each immersion.
Rating: 9/10
Highlight Track: “The Wounded Sun”
