SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: LACUNA COIL – SLEEPLESS EMPIRE

LACUNA COIL
SLEEPLESS EMPIRE
CENTURY MEDIA RECORDS

Lacuna Coil released their debut album in 1999 (In A Reverie) even though the Milan-based band had formed in 1994. Sleepless Empire is their tenth album, and their first studio release since 2019’s Black Anima. With Sleepless Empire they are not looking to change their sound or go off into a different direction. The album is pretty much what one expects from Lacuna Coil, and that suits me, and probably their fans, just fine. They have carved out their own distinct style and sound, so there is no need to tinker with what they have created over the years. Lacuna Coil is best described as an alternative gothic/metal band.

One aspect of the band that sets them apart from their contemporaries is the strong vocals of Cristina Scabbia. In the midst of the anger and grinding metal guitars, her voice soars and brings a whole new dimension to the music and the band. But don’t be fooled, she can also provide hard rocking vocals. “Scarecrow” is a great example. She uses her voice effectively, providing a strong introduction but gives way to more emotive vocals. This in combination with original and member Andrea Ferro (Marco Coti Zelati is the other original member, although Scabbia has been with the band since 1996) who provides the guttural and powerful screams and vocals makes for very interesting and thrilling listening.

The album rolls on relentlessly, there are no ballads, no safe haven here, Lacuna Coil have a ‘take no prisoners’ attitude and plan and that is what they do. This is heavy, dark music but there is enough variety with the songs to keep things very interesting. “Gravity”, for example, is probably the most accessible song in the collection and yet it fits in very nicely with the rest of the album. They may be heavy metal, but they are not afraid of a good melody when they can create one. Elsewhere, one finds songs like “In Nomine Patris” which is, for them, somewhat spacious, and although heavy is quite different from other tracks.

From the opening song, “The Siege” to the conclusion of “Never Dawn”, Lacuna Coil takes the listener on an epic journey that is relentless, sometimes scary with a soundtrack that must be heard to be believed. This may be their crowning glory! Their playing is tight and exciting, and the vocals are the icing on the cake. Sleepless Empire shows that over the years this band has matured and yet continues to produce brilliant metal/gothic music.

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