Lacuna Coil’s 10th album Sleepless Empire feels like it’s been a long time coming. Coming 6 years after their previous release Black Anima, the first new music from the album was released nearly 2 years ago. It would be an understatement to say fans have been enthusiastically awaiting its arrival.
The journey the band has been on with their last couple of albums has been an interesting one, particularly for older fans to get their heads around. They have eschewed much of the gothic theatricality that permeated through their earlier sound in favour of a more straightforward metal sound. That line of thinking continues here in what is possibly their heaviest album to date.
The Siege opens with the album with throbbing electronics and the siren like vocals of Cristina Scabbia before thundering drums and the death growl of Andrea Ferro bring this new era crashing sharply into focus. As someone who had previously checked on Lacuna Coil a bit over the years, this was certainly one way to be re-inserted into their world. Oxygen is a furious rager full of elastic downtuned riffing and restrained brutality.
Gravity brings back a bit of goth melodrama that wouldn’t feel out of place on Comalies or Karmacode. I Wish You Were Dead has a synthwave sheen to it giving the album a poppy banger to even out all the darkness.
Sleepless Empire boasts two special guests. Randy Blythe of Lamb of God brings his trademark vocals to Hosting the Shadow, while Ash Costello from New Years Day cameos on In the Mean Time. Both appearances help to elevate the tracks they are a part of, creating standout moments throughout the album.
The title track and Sleep Paralysis really pull into focus the albums themes. With the latter being a hulking behemoth of a track offset with a beautiful chorus vocal. Sleep Paralysis on the other is a more dream-like, mid paced affair.
Sleepless Empire is Lacuna Coil’s most muscular and complete album. The emphasis on the heavier side of things,as well as the focus on electronic experimentation have created a consistent and wholly satisfying listening experience from beginning to end. Even after 30 years together this shows a band at their most locked in musically and artistically. If you have been sleeping on Lacuna Coil over the last few year like then I have then now is the time to wake back up and give them your attention again.
Sleepless Empire is out on February 14th via Century Media. For more information and pre orders head here
