DVD REVIEW: The 119 Show – Live in London – Lacuna Coil
Italy’s finest musical export LACUNA COIL celebrated their 20th anniversary as a band in 2018. The Milanese metallers celebrated this “coming of age” moment by playing a one-off show last January to a packed-out 02 Forum in London’s Kentish Town. If you were fortunate enough to attend, you’ll know that what transpired over those two hours was arguably nothing less than pure magic. If not, do not fear – as the remarkable event was also professionally filmed for a live Blu-ray/DVD/CD set entitled The 119 Show – Live in London. It also showcases two featurettes, a before-and-after-the show piece called Behind The Curtains as well as a long-form interview with the band called Enter The Coil.
Quality song-writing, a strong emotional connection to their beloved fans (known affectionately worldwide as “coilers”) and a diehard work ethic – all these facets are showcased through this performance which in turn reaffirm LACUNA COIL’s live veteran status. Overall, the video element captures the band’s energy and the crowd anticipation is cleverly garnered – from the black and white images of fans queuing outside the venue, to them excitedly throwing the horns in the stalls pre-show alongside the briefest flashes of merch – the viewer is hooked just like an attendee would have been.
The curtain drops to the explosive strains of dynamic opener A Current Obsession (from 2001’s Unleashed Memories) giving us that first glimpse of the Italian hitmakers. Eerie blue lighting floods the stage; illuminating the five-piece who are decked out in black quasi-military-goth garbs adorned with that stylised 1.19 motif. The song of the same moniker – which follows suit to a barrage of rabid applause – has become a somewhat of an enigma over time amongst fans. Vocally both Cristina Scabbia and Andrea Ferro are on resplendent form; the juxtaposition of ethereal beauty and guttural rasps complement one another reaching the type of symbiosis only achieved after two decades together. Unveiling a 27-song setlist that dips in and out of their entire discography (including the never-played-before Soul Into Hades and rarely heard material from The EP’s era), lyrics are bellowed in unison and fists fly skywards during heart-stoppers My Wings, Blood, Tears, Dust and the anthemic Swamped – during the final moments of the latter both vocalists beam unashamedly and are rendered speechless; humbled from the cacophony it creates.
Well-known for having a touring wardrobe for each era, this show is no exception with a visually compelling “Twisted Carnival meets American Horror Story” aesthetic. The circus tent backdrop is lovingly brought to life by eclectic UK performance troupe Incandescence whose myriad of fire-wielding stilt-walkers and macabre mimes leave onlookers wide-eyed. The ensuing theatrics during unsettling instrumental Intermezzo are utterly fabulous, but it’s the close-up spectacle of Scabbia suspended from the heavens during stripped-down, piano-led versions of Falling and Wide Awake that truly engross and make for the most breathtaking moments. It is nothing less than stunning and truly propels the evening into “once in a lifetime” territory. Flanked by fellow vocalist Andrea, bassist Marco Coti Zelati, drummer Ryan Folden and guitarist Diego Cavallotti, the brethren regroup to deliver an electrifying encore comprised of I Forgive (But I Won’t Forget Your Name), a hair-raising rendition of Depeche Mode’s Enjoy The Silence and the chest-beating Nothing Stands In Our Way. As the camera zooms in on the elated faces of the band and those circus characters (whose dark masks have slipped to reveal expressions of joy), it’s clear that The 119 Show – Live In London videographer didn’t just record a mere show. They captured an event. Here’s to another 20 years of LACUNA COIL.
Rating: 9/10
The 119 Show – Live In London is due for release January 18th via Century Media Records.
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