Italian rockers Lacuna Coil are dubbed one of the most successful gothic-metal bands from Europe since the release of their third record Comalies (2002). By 2004, the album had become the best-selling CD in Century Media Record history. The follow-up Karmacode (2006) saw the band entering the Billboard 200 at position 28, followed by touring North America supporting Rob Zombie, and performing on the main-stage of Ozzfest 2006. From this point on, the band had broken down all barriers and become an internationally successful rock-n-roll act.
Two decades together in 2014, long-time members Cristiano ‘Pizza’ Migliore (guitar) and Cristiano ‘Criz’ Mozzati (drums) have decided to retire from the band after sixteen years due to personal reasons and will be replaced by live musicians. Fortunately the parting was not on bad terms and the members, past and present, of Lacuna Coil remain good friends. Now, the current line-up of Cristina Scabbia (vocals), Andrea Ferro (vocals), Marco Coti Zelati (bass, keyboards) and Marco “Maus” Biazzi (guitars) marches on.
After releasing the past albums Shallow Life (2011) and Dark Adrenaline (2012), these days Lacuna Coil has blossomed from the modern gothic-rock scene they helped create into a dynamic alternative metal band; closing a gap somewhere between Evanescence, Disturbed, and Korn without compromising originality and their own trademarks. Low-tuned guitars and contrasting dual female/male vocal harmonies of Scabbia and Ferro, with a discreet dash of electronics, are a few of the ingredients for Lacuna Coil’s highly anticipated album Broken Crown Halo; where the band has fused dark and horror themed elements with real life situations.
The formula for Broken Crown Halo has not altered dramatically coming off their impressive offering of Dark Adrenaline. The album’s featured production of Jay Baumgardner, who has worked with such bands as Evanescence and POD, maybe missing the big radio-single-hit; but this is a cohesive modern rock album which will keep the interest of listeners. While some accuse the band of playing it safe with this effort, it is unjust doing so as the songs are far from boring and the underlined apprehension of the material is intriguing. To truly grasp the vision of a band’s concept, the album needs a few listens. While many of the tracks immediately strike you as fresh and catchy alternative metal songs, there is much more lurking beneath the surface. Thematically the work is described by the band like a cinematic album about a dark vision of the near future; which gives Broken Crown Halo a dark and melancholic goth-touch. This influence appears to be inspired by classic Italian horror movies and bands like Goblin; soundtrack composers of Dario Argento’s classics like Deep Red (1975) and Suspiria (1977).
After only a few listens to Broken Crown Halo, songs like “Nothing Stands in Our Way”, which is already presented by a lyric-video, “Zombie, or “Die and Rise” convince with their catchy hook-lines as they sink into your psyche. These tracks are followed by “I Forgive (but I won’t forget your name)” and “In The End I Feel Alive” coming alive as earworms which fans should pay close attention to.
Other songs like “Hostage to the Light“ becomes a real grower with Scabbia’s strong melodic vocal lines. Then there is the relaxed mood of “I Burn In You” providing for diversity, carried by strong verses sung by Ferro. The closing of the album “One Cold Day” best describes the feeling of Broken Crown Halo, perfectly combining all elements Lacuna Coil stands for. The dark, burdensome atmosphere is built up by a depressive piano line from the beginning to the end, which will catch and fascinate the listener.
Lacuna Coil’s sound has become accessible to a broad audience over the years. Their ability to expand their style and continue to grow in the process is a testament to their talents as musicians. Broken Crown Halo is a great combination of dark melancholic rock that can fit stadiums, essentially making it potent dark rock for the masses. Long time Lacuna Coil fans will not be disappointed and it will be interesting to see if the band’s following grows even stronger with Broken Crown Halo. CrypticRock give this album 4 out of 5 stars.
- Century Media
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