Dracena

Dracena is an extreme metal band from Sweden. They have quite a history and a handful of recordings, the last of which was released in 2014: Ravenous Bloodlust. Earlier this year the band announced that they have eight new songs ready to go, although more information about when the recording takes place is not available yet. The band rolls with the spirit of 80s extreme metal, and even though they generally sound like earlier, 80s black metal, their style nowadays would be considered a bit less restricted, at the intersection of death, thrash and black metal, and occult heavy metal, it’s all in there, and it’s futile to pin it down to a strict subgenre sound. Perhaps this is why the band says that they are “pure metal,” in recognition of the heritage. Anyway, it’s better if you listen for yourself and come in traction with it yourself. Below is some official information about the band.

OFFICIAL: Dracena was formed in Gothenburg, Sweden, in 1994 by MiA, according to The Encyclopedia of Swedish Hard Rock and Heavy Metal, volume II, Sweden’s heaviest all-girl band.

In April of 1997 the first demo was recorded and released as a limited edition of 100 copies on cassette with 3 own tracks and a cover of Venom’s In league with Satan. In 1998 drummer Karin left the band and MiA (guitar/vocals), Emma (guitar) and Åsa (bass) continued on and entered Andy La Rocque’s studio Los Angered Recordings to record the second demo in April of 1999 with the help of session drummer Terror (Necrocurse, Runemagick, Deathwitch, Swordmaster and Sacramentum). Entitled Demonic Women and released as a 3-track CDr and later also from Bloodstone Entertainement (SWE) as a limited edition 2-track 7” red vinyl.

In late 2000 Mojjo (Engel, Runemagick, Deathwitch, Lord Belial) joined Dracena to handle the drums and in September of 2001 the third demo was recorded in Terrordome, released as a CDr with 3 tracks and entitled Labyrinth of Darkness. In late 2002 the band members decided to go separate ways and Dracena was left with MiA as the only active member.

The debut full-length album was recorded in 2004 using Hellbound Studios/Brutaliator Studios. Infernal Damnation, containing 8 tracks, was independently released as a CD in 2006-06-06. A cover of W.A.S.P’s Animal (**** like a Beast) was also recorded during this session for the W.A.S.P tribute album to be released by Codiac Records (DEN) in May of 2006, Rock Shock Hellions – A tribute to W.A.S.P.

2013 the new mini-CD Ravenous Bloodlust was recorded during the summer in Andy La Rocque’s Sonic Train Studios. This 4-track mini-CD will also be released independently. After the recording of Ravenous Bloodlust Dracena has a complete line up for live shows and the upcoming full-length album which is planned to be recorded in summer 2014.

2013 Line up:

MiA - vocals and guitars

Piet the J. - guitars

K. - bass

F. - drums

discography:

Ravenous Bloodlust 2014

Infernal Damnation 2006

Labyrinth of Darkness (2001)

Demonic Women (1999)

Demo ´97 (1997)

www.facebook.com/Dracena.SE/

www.dracena.se