So, bear with us right here. Downtuned, chunky guitars, trippy cyber-goth visuals and a band plastered in black-and-white face paint: have Lacuna Coil gone nu metallic? 22 years on from their breakthrough album Comalies, the Italian band have actually developed past their goth metallic roots, however glib comparisons apart, they’ve retained a way of id and standout class that is made them a strong fixture of the metallic scene over the previous 20-plus years – one thing a packed Wolverhampton venue on a Tuesday evening can actually attest to.
That does not imply there is not some nu metallic to take pleasure in tonight, nonetheless. Blind Channel have simply introduced plans for a hiatus, making this one thing of a bittersweet event to meet up with the Finns. Bounding out to the madcap riffs of The place’s The Exit? from this 12 months’s Exit Feelings, there is no denying the highly effective hooks the band have managed to harness of their songwriting since 2022’s Darkish Aspect.
However though there is a hardcore contingent of followers in entrance of the stage, its obvious the extra overtly goth metallic pleasant crowd take some warming to the Finns. The tipping level comes throughout piano ballad Die One other Day, sonic gremlins that means the music cuts out simply because the tune hits a crescendo. Makes an attempt to get it going once more appear to falter, till vocalist Niko Moilanen lastly declares, “fuck it, I am going acapella.”
With a little bit of teaching, Wolverhampton quickly sings alongside to the refrain and the tune ends on a triumphant word. Though sound points persist, follow-up Violent Bob (Deja Fu) nonetheless goes off with out a hitch as Joel Hokka reveals off some livid, freestyle rap flows (“thank god for backing tapes!” he quips) and when the band are again up and operating a joyous and livid cowl of BYOB explodes, organising an impressive closing run that features Exit Feelings spotlight Wolves In California, Darkish Aspect and Backstreet Boys cowl All people, naturally getting one of many greatest singalongs of the evening.
That jubilant environment is carried via to Lacuna Coil’s arrival. The bounding pressure of opener Blood, Sweat, Tears is an ideal primer for simply how the group’s sound has modified within the 25 years since their debut, Andrea Ferro’s snarls including an nearly metalcore spin to their sound. However there is no denying the star energy of Cristina Scabbia, her voice dominating nearly the whole lot else on-stage as she steps out to rapturous cheers.
Flanked by screens projecting imagery and movies to accompany every tune, there is a sense of scale and manufacturing that cements a way of scale that Lacuna Coil deserve in 2024. Throughout a 17-song setlist they strike a steadiness between the fiery bluster of more moderen materials like Reckless and Layers Of Time with a really wholesome displaying from the lately re-recorded Comalies XX.
There are additionally hints at the place the band are going subsequent. New album Sleepless Empire is a method off with a February 14 launch date, however singles Internet hosting The Shadow, In The Meantime and By no means Daybreak reaffirming that Lacuna Coil solely appear to develop bolder and extra excessive with age. There’s nonetheless room for ascendant, uniting anthems nonetheless; current single Oxygen is an absolute belter, as is an particularly defiant Nothing Stands In Our Approach, whereas fan favourites Our Reality, Heaven’s A Lie and Depeche Mode cowl Take pleasure in The Silence invite big singalongs.
To see Lacuna Coil not solely thriving however excelling all expectations in 2024 is nothing in need of a delight, the band poking enjoyable at their goth metallic roots (“c’mon, it is goth we won’t have enjoyable”, Cristina quips) while embracing the whole thing of their sound and legacy in ways in which really feel totally celebratory because the band shut out their thirtieth 12 months. Its a sentiment clearly shared onstage, Cristina pointing again to the band’s pandemic-era livestreams and the distinction a reside crowd could make. “That is what we’re right here for,” she insists. “The therapeutic power, the facility of music.”
Lacuna Coil’s new album Sleepless Empire is due February 14 by way of Century Media. The band’s UK tour ends in Bristol on October 26 and so they play Bloodstock Competition in August. For the complete listing of upcoming dates, go to their official web site.
Watch On
Lacuna Coil Setlist KK’s Metal Mill, Wolverhampton 22/10/2024
Blood, Tears, Mud
Reckless
Apocalypse
Journey The Darkness
Oxygen
Layers Of Time
Our Reality
Entwined XX
Heaven’s A Lie XX
In The Imply Time
Internet hosting The Shadow
By no means Daybreak
Take pleasure in The Silence
Aeon XX
Tight Rope XX
Swamped XX
Nothing Stands In Our Approach
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