Review Summary: Unfortunately, not a new Draconian album.
Let it be said that Draconian are better than this band in almost every way. Draconian have dynamics, gorgeous vocals, dynamics, creativity/variety in songwriting, dynamics and also metallic ***ing growls to light your chin hair on fire. In other notes, no doom metal band can be compared to Draconian, they are the unreachable pinnacle: the popsicle forever out of reach. Mansion are not Draconian, and that is why they fail.
The creepy effect that Mansion attempt wears off quickly when you realize this is literally a Draconian album. While the female singer does indeed have a grandmotherly tone, it sounds more like she can’t sing as powerfully as Draconian. Don’t get me wrong, the fem singer is great but she just isn’t Heike from Draconian’s Under a Godless Veil, as much as she tries to sound exactly like her. Still, I like Draconian, hence this album pwns.
After I listened to this I immediately listened to Draconian afterwards to cleanse my palette, and behold, my ears were cleansed. Did I mention that Draconian slap? Yeah, you should check them out. Don’t get me wrong, this is a great album with pretty heavy riffs that remind me of the best moments of Katatonia but mostly Draconian, and all you need is Draconian. The riffs are in fact quite evil and sinister like a cleverly aimed fart. Also, in terms of Draconian energy the riffs 6.5/10 which is pretty good considering Draconian are sent from god.
There’s another singer in this mix, some dude, he’s alright. The album really didn’t need another singer, the other one has cool witchy vibes which is essential and the man is not paired well with the lady (unlike Draconian). If the man growled instead of singing this would be the next best thing since Draconian, but alas, that will remain a fantasy. In conclusion, this is a great album but there’s no way in Hell I’d choose to listen to Mansion over Draconian. Draconian are all about those gorgeous, iconic moments, while Mansion are more run of the doom variety. The riffs go hard though, which is a wonderful apology letter to place before the alter of Draconian, after pretending to be them.
To end on a positive note, I will say I enjoyed this album. Their attempt to infuse old school horror movie vibes into it is a fitting shtick. The best part is how campy/spooky the album is, quite perfect for Halloween indeed. Riffs plus campiness works in this case considering the spooky vibe that doom metal gives off. Mansion may not be Draconian, but they’re similar enough, while also different enough. Great album I suppose, but sadly not a Draconian album.
