Lacuna Coil Album: “Comalies [Japan Bonus Tracks]”

I bought this CD at the recommendation of a friend having never heard the band previously. And I have not regretted it since. This is a unique, inspiring and fresh approach to a relatively stale metal scene. The dual vocalists, in what is the one and only time I have EVER liked this situation, cause 2 dynamics that create such a hauntingly beautiful sound that it just boggles my mind. Never did I ever think that a band could sound like a mixture of say Tori Amos and Meshuggah, but Lacuna Coil accomplishes such a feat, and does it so well that it is a shame these guys aren't well known. Now, I tend to usually like more aggresive music, but this album just consumed me from the first listen. With its melodies combined with the awesome metal riffs, this sounds just amazing. HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION!

This is one of those records that just leaves your jaw dropped in awe: awe that music could ever get this good again, and awe from realizing just how braindead the music world is to have overlooked them for so long.

Popular music has been so insubstantial and rehashed for the last several years that a recording of this caliber is bound to create quite a stir. There is not one single bad song here: they are catchy without taking that fateful plunge over the "commercial" cliff; unlike what's popular, they have something to say in words actually beyond the high school level; and they are sung by a voice that we puny humans do not deserve to be exposed to.

It doesn't hurt that Cristina Scabbia is the hottest piece of eye candy in music, but even if she wasn't her voice would still be the equivalent of an angelic choir.

This album was released almost a year before it was really noticed by anyone. That's just sad. I have had this cd now for over a month and I STILL listen to it everyday. In fact I can't remember the last time I have been so absorbed in a recording. Probably never. All I know is that I this is the first cd I have purchased in years because it stands head and shoulders above everything else out there as far as quality and substance.

It's scary to think that anything could be this good. How LC hasn't single-handedly run all of those cookie cutter corporate rock bands out of the business by now is mystifying. There is simply NO comparison. It appears that we have 2 choices these days: Lacuna Coil or fraudulent corporate music.

The Italian gothic metal band Lacuna Coil has not been particularly well-known in the United States since the release of their first album in 1998, but more and more people on this side of the Atlantic are getting the opportunity to listen to Cristina Scabbia's hauntingly beautiful vocals along with her co-vocalist, Andrea Ferro. Their most recent album, "Comalies", which was released in 2002 and is their fourth album, contains 13 tracks. All of the songs contain English lyrics, but the last track (the title track) contains some Italian lyrics. Some people have compared Cristina Scabbia's voice with Amy Lee, who is the lead vocalist of the band Evanescence. Both singers are very good, but Cristina Scabbia's voice is slightly deeper and more voluptuous than that of Amy Lee. My ratings for each of the 13 tracks on "Comalies" are listed below.

1. "Swamped" (5 stars). Soft start that suddenly breaks open with Cristina and Andrea's vocals very melodic guitar, bass and keyboards. The choruses feature Cristina's vocals, but the verses feature Andrea's vocals with some background vocals by Christina.

Overall, I rate the album "Comalies" by Lacuna Coil with 4 out of 5 stars. In addition to Cristina Scabbia and Andrea Ferro, the other band members include Cristiano Migliore (guitars), Marco Biazzi (guitars), Marco Coti Zelati (bass) and Cristiano Mozzati (drums). Not everyone who listens to the album will like it, but if you enjoy melodic metal, then chances are that you will.

LACUNA COIL (Empty Spiral)

Remember that name! If I'm right,(and I think I am) you are going to be seeing it and hearing them a lot in the future.

I know, you're dubious. Lacuna Coil? What's a Lacuna Coil, never heard of them. Well if You've read any of my other reviews then you may remember that I mentioned Lacuna Coil in six of my reviews and categorically stated (actually predicted) that Lacuna Coil had an inside track to be the first European (they're Italian) Femme Fronted Goth Metal band to crash the American vinyl curtain in two of my reviews.

When I first predicted that Lacuna Coil would make it big here stateside, the odds makers in Vegas were giving Fifty to One odds that I was all wet and I wagered two root beers(I grew up in Vegas and I never bet money) on this sure shot/long shot. Now that Lacuna Coil is touring the East coast with the likes of Type 'O' Negative and Anthrax and their single "Heavens a Lie" is starting to get airtime, look out. The odds have dropped to Ten to One and I like my position.

Why do I think Lacuna Coil has such a good chance to make the charts here? For starters let me quote my 42 word prediction from the my semi-infamous Evanescence review from June 21st, "I think Italian prog/gothic metal band Lacuna Coil has the best chance of making a breakthrough since they will be touring the country this summer and fall and their hit single "Heaven's a Lie" is now getting air time on some radio stations." Next I'd like to quote my Lacuna Coil review on In a Reverie, "It seems to me that of all the wonderful goth-metal bands of Europe, Lacuna Coil has the best chance of making an impact in America. They have many songs that would not be out of place on an alternative, heavy metal or even top 40 radio format and they have a small but growing following in the states. This summer they are touring the states as the opening act for Danzig. It seems that Lacuna Coil is bigger than Danzig but I guess not in the states." Enough braggado, the reason I feel so confident in Lacuna Coil's American future is that they and all of their albums are just so damn good (I know a lot of epinionators would say fu*king here but damn works for me), that it's, well, INEVITABLE!!!

LACUNA COIL

Lacuna Coil has made a S/T debut EP and three full albums, chronologically, In a Reverie, Unleased Memories and Comalies and to be perfectly honest I can't say one is better than the other. They are the most consistent group I've ever come across.

Band Members

Cristia Scabbia (female vocals), Andrea Ferro (male vocals), Cristiano Migliore (guitars), Marco Coti Zelati (bass) and Cristiano Mozzati (drums), Marco Biazzi (guitars)

Lacuna Coil is somewhat of a non conformist for an Italian band. Most other Italian bands, like Rhapsody, concentrated on epic power metal, Lacuna Coil devoted themselves to progressive, melodic, gothic style. Lovely singer Cristina Scabbia and singer Andrea Ferro share the mic and do a very good job at it. They compliment each other perfectly and give each song a special emphasis. Cristina's voice, while not quite on a par with other European divas such as Floor Jensen, is quite pleasant to listen to. It is deeper than most and a quality that fits Lacuna Coil's music(which is somewhat progressive)perfectly. Needless to say Lacuna Coil probably would not be where they are today without Christina.

I should point out that Lacuna Coil's brand of metal is not speed or even fast. Their tempo is generally in the medium/slow to medium range, which gives it time for slow minded individuals, like me, to absorb, sort of like Creed and like Creed, the music and delivery is powerful.

"Heaven's a Lie", begins with a lush symphonic introduction, before Christina's sultry vocals along with a strong beat and Andrea's backing on the chorus's.

Other notable songs, in their order of appearance follows;

"Swamped", is an exotic medium slow song with a definite near eastern flavor, with passionate vocals by Andrea and soaring ethereal vocals by Christina.

"Daylight Dancer", is a medium tempo piece where Andrea takes the lead vocals and Christina in a ethereal mood does backup

"Humane", my vote for second best song, is a Quasi-ballad with Andrea and Christina swapping lead and backing vocals.

"Tightrope", a mid tempo song with a slight mid east feeling. For some reason this song reminds me of that fabulous Polish femme-goth metal group Artrosis but sans Andrea.

"The Ghost Woman and the Hunter", has my vote for most interesting title. Another very pretty quasi-ballad with all the trimmings. Of course, Christina could make London Bridge sound good. Seriously this is excellent.

"Unspoken", Medium pace with Christina leading to way and as with most of the songs a full lush sound and a catchy syncopated beat.

"The Prophet Said", Starting to sound a little like previous songs but still good.

"Angel's Punishment", some reviewers claim this song sounds like Garbage and it does a little. Christina does sound a little like Shirley Manson but also Medeah from Artrosis again.

"Comalies", The title track, a medium slow, quasi-ballad with a big intro but slows for the singers.

SUMMATION

If I may borrow and paraphrase the title to an old 60s song "To Know Them is to Love Them" I think that explains all. YES, BUT WOULD I LOVE THEM? Fair question and I'll answer that by saying that if you like or love any of the following bands, yes, you would love them; Evanescence, Garbage, Roxette, Pat Benetar, Joan Jett, Concrete Blonde, even Stevie Nicks.

If my "Prediction" comes through, here is my next prediction. Watch out for Within Temptation, they are already on their way. I did a review on Within Temptation's, Mother Earth (link below) back in June. They are similar to Lacuna Coil but more strident, more symphonic and generally more up tempo.

I bought comalies about half a year ago and i still find myself listening to it almost every day. Listen, they might have a gothic sound, but im not in any way a gothic person! this album is so catchy that you could be any type of person and love it! This album is definitly a step up from Unleashed Memories in my opinion. The main reason is because it still has that beautiful melancholy sound like the others, but is HEAVIER. This band has definitly produced an original sound unlike a lot of bands. Comalies' tracks will slowly pull you into LC's world, almost as if you were floating!

Here's a review of each track:

Swamped 9/10: Very good song to start out the album, it shows you the melancholy/heavy side which you'll experience a lot in the rest of the album. Good range of vocals by Cristina.

Heaven's a lie 10/10: Could very well be the best rock song ever with a female vocalist! This is a well-developed song with even a background orchestra on the chorus. Its heavy, melodic, and the vocals are flawless by both singers!(which you dont hear often with this group) what more could you ask for in a rock song?

Daylight Dancer 9/10: One of the more heavier, darker songs of the album. Im not gothic at all, but i still think its a catchy song. Its probably a good one for all you goths out there.

Humane 8/10: The first soft song of the album. Its ok but i dont really care for the keyboards in this one.

Self Deception 9/10: Another solid, heavy song. The elements of this song sound like the heavy ones from unleashed memories. I like the straight up riffs of the guitar with Andreas voice, and then how it breaks down into the chorus with Cristinas vocals. Cristinas vocals are also amazing on this song.

Aeon 10/10 : Beautiful instrumental work. This song shows you what Lacuna Coils music is all about..It almost makes you feel like your floating into their world of melancholy, but absolutly beautiful music.

Tight Rope 7/10: The heaviest song on the album. I give this a 7 though because it lacks the melody you hear in the rest of the album.

Ghost Woman and the Hunter 9/10: Going back into the gloomy melody. Cristina does a good job going solo on this song. This song can be catchy, but it takes a lot of listens in my opinion.

Unspoken 9/10: Another harder song with the accompaniment of violins. Good, hard, melodic as ever..no other way to put it.

Entwined 10/10: Along with Heaven's a lie, this is tied for my fav. LC song! This song is absolutly flawless! it shows you that this band can do a softer metal song, and have both vocalists performing at their best. For all you guys out there with a woman, i reccomend you listen to this one with your girl, its a good song to make love to....

Prophet Said 9/10: Back to the heavy stuff again. This songs layout is similar to track #5 with the straight, heavy riffs throughout the verses. The end of the song is especially catchy, because it goes into this beautiful breakdown with Cristina.

Angel's Punishment 8/10: My least fav. song of the album, only because of the lyrics. I think the band just got depressed and upset, and decided to write this song. Another good gothic one though for you people.

Comalies 10/10: A perfect song to end the album. This is prob my second favorite song on the album. Cristina shows off her sexy italian vocals and then breaks it down in english on the chorus. A beautiful song, and another decent one to listen to while making love!