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Now we’re talking, but what about the comparisons to BATHORY that I have seen in the past. And how about the gothic household names Lovecraft, Milton and Blake?

For the first time Anders seems puzzled.
We did a demo once called “Cthulu Rising”, but apart from that we have nothing in common with the persons you mention. I for one am very into the Necronomicon though, I have it in several versions and read it thoroughly. I am doubtful at times but it is intriguing reading. In our song writing we focus quite heavily on poetically deep love situations, says the vocalist with a laugh.

Do you know which song I liked the most, I interrupted? And, of cause which ones do you like the most?

Ahh, tough question, Anders opens, maybe Earthbound? Nope? Well my faves are “Morphine Cloud”, “Bloodflower” and “Earthbound”. The latter is more of a traditional DRACONIAN song, hence my guess on your views.

To his surprise I admitted having been hooked on “The Failure Epiphany”. Anders describes it as a probable future for the band. It has many surfaces and depths, it is progressive, in short a fabulous track. But, Anders confesses laughing; it is the only one off the album that they will not perform on the release party. It appears that it takes a lot of rehearsals which has not been possible lately, bugger (again)!
I also admit my liking of female vocalist Lisa Johansson. She has a voice suited not only for this band but opera projects like AYREON! Lisa possesses a strong and colourful voice that never gets on my nerves as many female voices do in these operatic days. Anders is of the same opinion, it turns out that he recommended her for the position, good thinking!

What happens next with DRACONIAN?

There is the release party at the Arena Nightclub in Karlstad. Then we have so many interviews booked, and we have some good leads that will hopefully secure us a tour and some gigs.

Ok, Anders, best of luck with everything and cheers for your time.

And all you people out there, the new DRACONIAN album “Turning Season Within” is released on 29.02.08, be sure to check it out. It contains some truly great moments, one very progressive songs that hints at the bands future included. Id addition you get a capable band and a female voice that sure will be heard on many more albums in the future.

Interview by Miggo


Never Surrender -- There are bands that make it and bands that never make it. Then there is DRACONIAN, the band that are so close to making it but has yet to see the right backing from a record company. Dating its history back to 1994 the band sure has experienced a bit of this and that on their path. To get the details right I phoned gothic vocalist Anders Jacobsson one gloomy evening. Hello there in the dusk, please drop the Necronomicon and clarify a few things for me! I start by congratulating them to getting good attention from Napalm with this release, Anders is not late to reply. Yeah, it seems so, comes the modest answer. He explains that the history of the band is paved with almost and nearly. In the past it has also been quite lukewarm on Napalms behalf apparently. DRACONIAN has released two albums plus an album that was no album, “The Burning Halo”, the one that I remember, bugger! The vocalist explains that that particular album was a must-do for record company reasons. But touring in Germany and surrounding countries does not seem like a problem, I inject. Anders seems to be of the same opinion but then the if´s and but´s haunt the band. There seems to have been constant problems with promoters, booking agencies etc. Cancellations appear to have been part of their everyday life. We actually got a tour proposal yesterday, but it still to early in the process to be specific about. And we have a lot of booked gigs that will be announced soon, my interview victim exclaims. The aim is clear; Sweden is as always not very hot, instead the band strives to get on the road in Germany, Holland, Belgium and adjacent states.
	What is the goal of the band then, with so many sudden stops the band surely has a very clear idea of what keeps them going? We want to develop, says the vocalist. We need to play a lot. The focus seem to grow, we always feel that the chance has eluded us constantly. We all agree that we want to meet our fans; we desperately want to give them something in return for their faithfulness! But after years of missed chances, could anything cause the band and its members to split up, to give in? Quit? That will not happen; I and Johan (Ericson, guitars) will never give up anyway. We still have at least ten years to go! DRACONIAN is a large part of our lives, if it ceases to be everything else is in vain.
Convincing, most convincing. And now for something completely different…the new album “Turning Season within”. What influenced you, why should people buy the album? The answers might be in disorder but the story developed in all kinds of ways… On my behalf heavy metal entered my life as I heard DIO`S “The Last in Line” and got yet another boost from BLACK SABBATH with TONY MARTIN and “Headless Cross”! And there is of cause MY DYING BRIDE’S “Turn Loose the Swans”, a monumental album. I guess I’m old fashioned but I love BLACK SABBATH with TONY MARTIN. I don’t really see the resemblance? What about other bands in the “right” genre? Well there is OPETH and KATATONIA, which we resemble more now when our sound is more Swedish. At first we were closer to MY DYING BRIDE but that was then. We aimed at a faster output.
Now we’re talking, but what about the comparisons to BATHORY that I have seen in the past. And how about the gothic household names Lovecraft, Milton and Blake? For the first time Anders seems puzzled. We did a demo once called “Cthulu Rising”, but apart from that we have nothing in common with the persons you mention. I for one am very into the Necronomicon though, I have it in several versions and read it thoroughly. I am doubtful at times but it is intriguing reading. In our song writing we focus quite heavily on poetically deep love situations, says the vocalist with a laugh. Do you know which song I liked the most, I interrupted? And, of cause which ones do you like the most? Ahh, tough question, Anders opens, maybe Earthbound? Nope? Well my faves are “Morphine Cloud”, “Bloodflower” and “Earthbound”. The latter is more of a traditional DRACONIAN song, hence my guess on your views. To his surprise I admitted having been hooked on “The Failure Epiphany”. Anders describes it as a probable future for the band. It has many surfaces and depths, it is progressive, in short a fabulous track. But, Anders confesses laughing; it is the only one off the album that they will not perform on the release party. It appears that it takes a lot of rehearsals which has not been possible lately, bugger (again)! I also admit my liking of female vocalist Lisa Johansson. She has a voice suited not only for this band but opera projects like AYREON! Lisa possesses a strong and colourful voice that never gets on my nerves as many female voices do in these operatic days. Anders is of the same opinion, it turns out that he recommended her for the position, good thinking! What happens next with DRACONIAN? There is the release party at the Arena Nightclub in Karlstad. Then we have so many interviews booked, and we have some good leads that will hopefully secure us a tour and some gigs. Ok, Anders, best of luck with everything and cheers for your time. And all you people out there, the new DRACONIAN album “Turning Season Within” is released on 29.02.08, be sure to check it out. It contains some truly great moments, one very progressive songs that hints at the bands future included. Id addition you get a capable band and a female voice that sure will be heard on many more albums in the future. Interview by Miggo