Release Date: January 23rd, 2012
Label: Century Media Records
Website: www.lacunacoil.it
Facebook: www.facebook.com/lacunacoil
Twitter: www.twitter.com/lacuna_coil

Rating:

Italy’s finest gothic metalheads Lacuna Coil are back with album number six. If you don’t know them, they are essentially Evanescence with a bit more balls. Not one for exactly breaking boundaries, they’ve always had a predictive sound and only on occasion do they deviate from their norm. Having dedicated a lot of time over the last few years to touring, they have put their creative hats back on and created ‘Dark Adrenaline’.

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Release Date: April 20th, 2009
Label: Century Media
Website: www.lacunacoil.com
MySpace: www.myspace.com/lacunacoil

Rating:

Lacuna Coil are one of many bands that I cannot seem to like no matter how hard I try. The Italian six-piece fit into the gothic metal genre that personally I don’t find appealing. I would love to say that upon listening to their fifth studio album ‘Shallow Life’ that I’ve been converted to the dark side, but if truth be told I haven’t. Fortunately for a band that have been making music for 15 years, they have a solid fanbase who will lap up whatever they can get.

‘Shallow Life’ is one of the most anticipated albums of 2009, mainly due to the band working with producer Don Gilmore (who’s worked with Linkin Park, Pearl Jam). The 12 tracks have clearly been thought out carefully and there’s no denying that the sextet have worked hard. Yet, considering the Italian group have been working on this album since 2007, you can’t help but feel dissatisfied with the end result.

As per usual, it’s often hard to feel that Cristina Scabbia‘s vocals fit the heavy music driving it. Her voice is suited for bigger and better things that don’t involve what Lacuna Coil holds for her. Yes I’m being a little harsh but let’s be frank here, Scabbia‘s sex appeal is the only reason the band are so popular. Andrea Ferro‘s vocals are weak to say the least, and his monotonous tone is extremely irritating. Guitarists Cristiano Migliore and Marco ‘Maus’ Biazzi are not to be overlooked, and it is fair to say that they have truly given it their all. Bassist Marco ‘Maus’ Biazzi and drummer Cristiano ‘CriZ’ Mozzati have also worked hard and it is clear to see they have matured as musicians over the years from the bands inception.

However, ‘Shallow Life’ differs a lot from previous releases and it appears that the band are moving away from their heavy roots. It’s great to experiment with your sound and all that jazz, but when it provides you with your weakest sounding album it’s probably best to stick to familiar ground. Lead single ‘Spellbound’ is the strongest melodic track on the album, so the fact it’s the first promotional push for the record is nothing but a good thing. Lacuna Coil‘s marketing team are certainly doing their job right, as this song provides a false illusion as to what the rest of the album will sound like. Another stand-out is opening track ‘Survive’. Being one of the heavier offerings on ‘Shallow Life’ it is similar in sound to old school Lacuna Coil, which proves perhaps they should take a step back and expand on that area before taking anymore steps forward.

‘Shallow Life’ will be loved by loyal fans without question, for those of you who are intrigued as to what gothic metal sounds like, you’re best off listening to something from the band’s earlier releases. Lacuna Coil have failed to bring their best to the table, and quite frankly I’ve given up hope of ever liking the music they make.

Written by Kate Rees