ALBUM REVIEW: Black Anima – Lacuna Coil

Italian metallers LACUNA COIL are one of those rare bands who still improve with each album. 2016’s Delirium was their darkest and most disturbing material and was always going to be challenging to top. Unbelievably LACUNA COIL have whipped up some of their best material to date, in the form of ninth album, Black Anima. Over twenty years in the game, LACUNA COIL have surpassed many of their contemporaries thanks to their talent and superb songwriting. Black Anima is no different and sees the band try new approaches to keep things fresh and interesting. The result? An album as heavy and as dark as ever.

Black Anima begins with the unnerving Anima Nera which sees vocalist Cristina Scabbia evolve from an angel to a demon. The dark atmospherics set the tone. After one darkness fades, another creeps in as Andrea Ferro roars over the intro of Sword Of Anger. The signature LACUNA COIL riffage kicks in bringing in an air of familiarity to it. Scabbia and Ferro are still a formidable duo, no other male/female dual-fronted group can touch them. Sword Of Anger is equal parts ferocious and melodic, but without sounding clichéd or stale.

Reckless is an interesting beast. Scabbia unleashes her inner diva while the riffs pummel away. The unforgettable chorus provides one of the most striking moments on Black Anima. Everyone may comment on how Scabbia and Ferro improve over the years, but credit is also due to the other members of LACUNA COIL for continuing to execute the heavy accompaniment with aplomb. Layers Of Time is another perfect example if this. Four tracks in and the band refuse to drop the pace. Ferro shines here with his fiery vocals. The subtle symphonics give the track a bewitching edge.

LACUNA COIL go full gothic in Apocalypse with the darkly melodic verse and storming chorus. One of the biggest songs in the album impact-wise, the dark messages and soaring vocals will haunt you for the remainder of Black Anima. Next track Now Or Never could sit comfortably on Delirium with its bold riffs and aggressive stance. Scabbia brings light to the darkness but it’s short lived as she expels her inner demons. She takes the lead with Under The Surface which is another solid song by the Italians.

Gothic goodness resumes with Veneficium, with its dramatic Latin utterances and promises of sorcery. The mesmerising melodies sound magnificent with the creeping pace and eerie atmospherics. LACUNA COIL are brilliant storytellers and the moods they create are monumental. The dark guitars introducing The End Is All I Can See builds the tension and the sweet release is given by the enchanting chorus.

The band save an absolute belter for the penultimate track. Save Me is bound to be the most stirring fan favourite. The heart-wrenching melodies and Scabbia‘s raw passion is sure to trigger an emotional response from listeners. There is an air of vulnerability on Save Me which is absent from the rest of Black Anima which also makes it the most charming track on the album. Throw in a spoken word passage that would resonate with anyone who has ever had a dream and you’ve got yourself a new LACUNA COIL classic.

The title track provides the phenomenal finale for Black Anima. It’s been a while since LACUNA COIL have had such a colossal closer and every component is heightened for a blistering end. While many of LACUNA COIL‘s peers have crashed and burned over the years, Black Anima is proof the band are still torch-bearers for gothic metal. If after twenty years the band keep surpassing themselves, it’s clear they’re not out of cunning ideas just yet.

Rating: 9/10

Black Anima is set for release on October 11th via Century Media Records.

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