heavy-metal-darkness: Smohalla |Ruina Draconis |I, Voidhanger Records

Tuesday, January 6, 2026

Smohalla |Ruina Draconis |I, Voidhanger Records

Release Date: October 3^rd, 2025
Format: CD/Digital
Genre: Avant-Garde/Black Metal
Country: France

Smohalla emerged from the French underground with a reputation for unconventional black metal thinking. After early material and a split with Tellur in 2013, the project went silent for years. The return began quietly in 2018 with the single “Varon”, while main composer Slo explored other creative paths. “Ruina Draconis” marks the band’s first full-length in twelve years, created by Slo alongside long-time collaborator Camille Giraudeau on bass and vocals, and released through I, Voidhanger Records.

“Ruina Draconis” presents an expansive vision of avant-garde black metal that favors depth and detail over immediacy. The album unfolds through elaborate compositions built on constant motion, shifting tempos, and layered arrangements. The writing remains coherent throughout, even as it moves between aggressive passages and more introspective, atmospheric sections. Smohalla focus on immersion, letting themes evolve gradually and giving the material time to reveal its internal logic.

The melodic language plays a central role, weaving dark, epic lines with abstract harmonies and subtle electronic textures. These elements interact closely with the rhythmic foundation, creating a fluid and unpredictable structure. Slo’s vocal approach alternates between harsh expressions and softer, almost spectral tones, adding another dimension to the album’s narrative character. The result is music that invites repeated listening, as new details surface with familiarity.

Conceptually, the album leans toward a cosmic and metaphysical atmosphere, echoing the exploratory spirit associated with acts like Arcturus and Ved Buens Ende, without resorting to imitation. “Ruina Draconis” operates as a complete work, unified by its pacing and aesthetic choices, and stands as a significant chapter in Smohalla’s history. It reflects a mature artistic vision shaped by patience and long development rather than urgency.

Score: 8.0