It has been three years since the Italian rock powerhouse Lacuna Coil released the divisive Shallow Life. Many fans despaired at the idea that Lacuna Coil had seemingly turned into their pop-radio American counterparts Evanescence on that record. It was a shameless stab at mainstream appeal that, in the minds of many, backfired by diluting some of their majestic clout for airwave space. If the title is anything to go by, their new album Dark Adrenaline is designed to set the record straight.
The tremolo picked, bass-heavy opening of ‘Trip The Darkness’ is a promising start. It is an obvious choice for a lead single but that is because it is a good song rather than a tame one. Down-tuned nu-metal riffs with gothic overtones and sky high choruses are still the band’s trademark and Dark Adrenaline is no exception. If anything those two musical constants seem more energised than usual – adrenalized if you will. The first few seconds of ‘Upside Down’ or ‘I Don’t Believe In Tomorrow’ would not be out of place on a Slipknot or Korn album. Upon close inspection the only thing that really lets Lacuna Coil down are their often cringe-inducing lyrics. “I’m leaving the dark side upside down / laughing at my disaster” elicited more than one shudder from this reviewer even though the song is pretty decent. You have to tip your hat to anyone who can actually make lines like that sound half good.
Singers Christina Scabbia and Andrea Ferro have regained some of their lost power; the former sounding more commanding and the latter sounding less awkward than they have been. Ferro plays a larger role in general which might put some people off but the man has clearly put some real effort into refining his craft. Take ‘Kill The Light’ as a solid example of his melodic take on the hard rock vocal performance. Scabbia is on fire on REM cover ‘Losing My Religion’; it is a nice counterpoint to ‘Enjoy The Silence’ (originally by Depeche Mode) from Karmacode. It casts the band in a playful light, a knowing cheesiness that cuts through their pomp like a knife.
The whole affair is produced by post-nu-metal maven Don Gilmore (who has worked with Linkin Park, Hollwood Undead, and Bullet For My Valentine). He wraps everything in a slick sheen that is fortunately not nearly as slick as their previous album. The guitars have an appropriate degree of crunch and the percussion is a solid building block for the rest of their sound. Dark Adrenaline is unlikely to win many new fans but some disillusioned old fans are likely to get back on board – assuming they haven’t moved on entirely.
Rating: C
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