Draconian

Napalm Records has always had a knack for grabbing great avant-garde metal acts and Draconian is another. This is a very atmospheric and depressing album. It is melodic Beauty and the Beast-style fantasy metal laced with a darker influence of doom and gloom. More beast than beauty here, but the music is lush, symphonic, doom-y and emotional at the same time. Sad, sorrowful music surrounded by dread-filled lyrics that contrast with warm melodies to create an interesting sound. One would be best advised to not listen to this when depressed or coming off a bad relationship: it might be enough to send you over the edge.