audiopinions

Lacuna Coil – Dark Adrenaline
[Century Media]
8/10

Lacuna Coil first made noise in 1999 with the release of their full length debut In A Reverie. Their third release Comalies, is marked as one of their best albums and the first to gain the band the following they have now. This led to the breakout album Karmacode that was enjoyable but it left something to be desired. Shallow Life saw the band gaining more fans and album sales, but with that came more separation from the sound that got them to this point. This history lesson has now made it to the present, Dark Adrenaline. Tracks like “Kill The Light” hints at the more atmospheric approach of their earlier albums, but still relies heavily on the recent rock sound that has brought the album sales they expect now. Vocalists Cristina Scabbia and Andrea Ferro are as amazing as ever and are still on the same page together. Their contrasting styles and tradeoffs throughout the album never feel forced or overpowering. Since the vocalists are still top notch, this album should be great right? Wrong. Musically, this album is a batch of hard rock/alternative metal songs with almost nothing sticking out to excite you. There are some hidden gems in the songs, like the guitar solo found on “Upsidedown”. To give the band some credit; the same members have been together for over twelve straight years, and staying stagnant musically would end up burning them out. This does turn into a double edged sword as we know what their capable of, and the listeners are stuck listening to mundane instrumental work under the vocals. The high note of all this is the fact that Dark Adrenaline is a better offering than Shallow Life. The hints of the older styles creeping into the new direction leaves some hope that maybe they can find that happy medium that will please fan old and new.