Lacuna Coil // Broken Crown Halo
When a band has been together for twenty years it can be tough to retain what fans like about the music without merely rehashing the last album. Italy's Lacuna Coil are in danger of falling into this trap with latest album Broken Crown Halo.
When a band has been together for twenty years it can be a struggle when writing new material. Trying to stay fresh but not completely move away from the signature sound; to retain what fans like about the music without sounding like the last three albums.
When a band has been together for twenty years it can be tough when writing new material. Trying to stay fresh but not completely move away from the signature sound; to retain what fans like about the music without merely rehashing the last album. Italy's Lacuna Coil are in danger of falling into this trap after more than ten releases since 1994.
Their new album 'Broken Crown Halo' carries the familiar dual vocals of Cristina Scabbia and Andrea Ferro - the contrast between Ferro's growls and Scabbia's feminine yet powerful voice a staple for Lacuna Coil. Opening track 'Nothing Stands In Our Way' starts with a heavy metal bang but ends up a damp squib. 'Hostage To The Light' is a beautiful slower track, making great use of Scabbia's ability to be vulnerable in her vocals as well as commanding. 'Die And Rise' approaches anthemic, with a catchy chorus and a break sung in their native Italian. What should be an angry, vengeful blast of a song ends up just passing through in 'I Forgive (But I Won't Forget Your Name)'. Following track 'Cybersleep' sounds different immediately with the use of synthesised vocals, but these are only for the intro and outro while the main song, although filled with great rise and fall, could have been made much more of. 'Infection' is hook-laden and catchy, danceable but still heavy, a perfect example of what the experienced six-piece are capable of. While 'In The End I Feel Alive' picks things up somewhat, 'One Cold Day' brings it back down, leaving the album on a whimper, albeit a well composed one.
'Broken Crown Halo' is a well produced album filled with expertly constructed gothic-tinged metal tracks. These guys clearly know which end of a guitar is which, but as a stand out Lacuna Coil release? It just doesn't.
