Gothic doom entity Draconian – Drops third single “Anima” (feat. Daniel Änghede)

DRACONIAN, Sweden’s undisputed leader of the second wave of gothic doom metal, today releases “Anima,” the final harbinger from their upcoming new studio album, In Somnolent Ruin, out this Friday, May 8, 2026, via Napalm Records. DRACONIAN’s third single tells a story about people behaving dualistically and being afraid to embrace their dark side as a means of escaping daily life. The track features Swedish artist Daniel Änghede, whose contribution adds layers of emotional depth while confronting listeners with their darker impulses, capturing the feeling of being lost and questioning one’s place in the world.                   

The band’s upcoming full-length, In Somnolent Ruin, marks the return of singer Lisa Johansson to the band and sees the light of day six years after its predecessor, Under a Godless Veil—DRACONIAN’s most successful release 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 Lisa shortly after. The 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.

Ander Jacobsson about the new single:
“’Anima’ began as a poem I wrote in 2019—an exploration of the soul’s duality and the inner territories we tend to avoid, or fear to face. It moves through paradox, cloaked as a flowing inward journey, culminating in a quiet reckoning: an acceptance of one’s own darkness, embraced rather than denied. The title itself nods to the Jungian archetype. Sonically, the track leans into a more gothic atmosphere than our earlier work. We invited Daniel Änghede to take on lead vocals, and his dreamy presence aligns seamlessly with the mood we envisioned. His voice intertwines beautifully with Lisa’s, creating a resonance that feels both intimate and expansive. ‘Anima’ stands apart on the album through its atmosphere, its intent, and the performance it carries. We sincerely hope it finds something in you.”

In Somnolent Ruin Tracklist:
1. I Welcome Thy Arrow              
2. The Monochrome Blade         
3. Anima (feat. Daniel Änghede)
4. The Face of God         
5. I Gave You Wings       
6. Asteria Beneath the Tranquil Sea       
7. Cold Heavens              
8. Misanthrope River    
9. Lethe

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Photo Credit: Therés Stephansdotter Björk