Somnent - Heirloom (2026)

Helmed by multi-instrumentalist Giovanni Antonio Vigliotti, today we have North American Melodic Death/Doom outfit Somnent and their third full-length release “Heirloom”. Mixing all the good things from bands like Draconian, Insomnium, older Katatonia, etc., this release delivers eight tracks and over 49 minutes of highly melancholic music. Mixed and mastered by Jari Lindholm, this release has a distinctive and frosty Scandinavian edge.

Setting a very melancholic vibe with the moody opener “A Voice of Inner Child”, featuring guest female vocals from Natalia Drepina (Mourneress), the stage is set for the powerful guitars and crafty drumming that follows in “Throne Aflame” and “Severed Ties”. There is an immediate sense of familiarity with bands like Draconian as the guitars sound very similar, not that it is a bad thing as Somnent is not quite a clone of the band, as powerful songs like “King of Ruin” showcase.

The album’s level of melancholy is over the top, with tracks like “Barren Mother” being even bleaker than those from their Scandinavian counterparts. Fueled by personal grief and experiences, Giovanni Antonio Vigliotti makes the band’s music stand out as it feels very authentic, heartfelt and genuine. There are of course plenty of growls and heaviness, with tracks like “Where Silence Dwells” and “As You've Sown” being perfect examples of this, alongside weeping guitar leads that ooze Saturnus influences from their “Veronica Decides to Die” days.

Overall, “Heirloom” is a very powerful release that is also very well crafted and masterfully executed. Somnent sounds like a European band from this genre, but delivers even more raw feelings and powerful emotions in a very well packaged way. For fans of Melodic Death/Doom Metal, this release is up to the level of the best albums from Saturnus, Insomnium and Swallow the Sun, so be sure to give it a try.

Rating: 94/100