Dark Adrenaline

Lacuna Coil return with album number 6 "Dark Adrenaline" which see's the band return to their heavier root's after their last album the mellower "Shallow Life" which was met with luke warm reviews from both fans and critics. Many long time fans missed the heavier sound the band had developed especially on albums such as "Comalies" and "Unleashed Memories". There is no lack of heavy riffs on "Dark Adrenaline".The signs were good when the first single "Trip The Darkness" was released as it contains some heavy guitars and great vocal interplay between vocalists Cristina Scabbia and Andrea Ferro. On the track "Kill The Light" which starts out slow before giving away to a heavy riff, it's a song full of hooks. Elsewhere there is "Give Me Something More" which is a song full of melody. Any doubt that Lacuna Coil weren't going to break out heavy riffs are put to bed by the time you reach the 7th song the brilliant "I Don't believe In Tomorrow" which has Lacuna Coil almost sounding like Korn with down-tuned guitars it's both dark and a heavy song, it also features a great breakdown at the 2.40 mark that has Scabbia singing "I Avenge You" over and over.The songs "Against You", "Upside Down" and "The Army Inside" are all songs that will have Lacuna Coil fan's rejoicing that the band have embraced their heavier side once again, there's even few guitar solos thrown in for good measure. There is also the epic album closer "My Spirit" which at nearly six minutes long closes out the album in style. Not everything works such as the cover version of REM's "Losing My Religion" which just sounds out of place on the album and is a far cry from the cover version of Depeche Mode's "Enjoy The Silence" from "Karmacode".With "Dark Adrenaline" lacuna Coil have embraced their dark side again with an album full of dark melodies and heavy sounding riffs, the linkup between Scabbia and Ferro hasn't sounded this good in a while, with both vocalists playing to their strengths. Lacuna Coil has hit their stride again with "Dark Adrenaline".

An aptly-named album if ever there was one. This isn't music you listen to for a happy, feel-good vibe. Its basically what LC do so well...dark, dramatic, angsty stuff. If you're already a fan, you'll most likely enjoy it. If not...it may be hard to get your head around. Like a lot of their stuff I've found it to be a mixed bag. Roughly half the tracks are good-to-great. Some are merely okay and there are a few bits of filler too. Overall rating 8/10.1. Trip the DarknessA corker of an opening track - heavy, dramatic and melodic, with Christina's vocals in full flight on the chorus, while Andrea Ferro handles the verses. 10/102. Against YouHeavier riffage on this one, but similar in style to Trip the Darkness. Christina handles most of the vocal duties on this one, with Andrea providing backing vocals on the chorus. Benefits from some nice guitar solos. 10/103. Kill the LightSlightly faster paced and a little more pop-oriented. Vocals shared again with Christina doing the verses and Andrea the chorus. Catchy and very listenable, but lacking a bit of the flair of the first two tracks. 9/10.4. Give Me Something MoreSimilar in style to Kill the Light, only slower paced and features some synth flourishes. This one almost has a (gothic metal) disco feel to it. Lyrically not quite on par with the previous tracks. 7/105. UpsidedownI found this one very underwhelming. The style doesn't deviate from the rest of the album, but its stop-start nature and naff lyrics make this one to skip for me. Not saved by some nice guitar touches. 5/106. End of TimeWe're in metal ballad teritory here. Majestic intro leads into softly-sung verses by Christina. Andrea joins in on the heavier but still melodic chorus. Excellent track...just wish it was longer... 9/107. I Don't Believe In TomorrowMore heavy riffage here - similar in style to Against You. A bit repetitive in places. Good without being particularly great or memorable. 7/108. IntoxicatedContinuing the theme of I Don't Believe In Tomorrow...heavy and angsty with Chrstina's vocals a bit more emotionally-wrought than usual. This one didn't really do it for me. Could be another time to hit the "skip" button. 6/10.9. The Army InsideLC crank everything up to 11 on this one. Very loud, very angry. Just a bit suspect lyrically. 8/10.10. Losing My ReligionAn absolutely astounding cover of the R.E.M song. Unlike previous covers, notably Depeche Mode's Enjoy the Silence (from Karmacode) where they remained faithful to the original, they have stamped their own style on this. As a fan of R.E.M I love the original, but have to say this is every bit as good. 11/10 (yes really!)11. FireA bit of a comedown after the previous track. Musically its catchy and up-tempo,but the lyrics are distinctly filler material. 6/1012. My SpiritFantastic album closer. Slow-paced and wistful-sounding with Andrea taking main vocal duties and Christina joining in on a great soaring chorus. Some nice Pink Floyd-style guitar work too. 9/10

A brilliant album, i really liked the cover of R.E.M.'s Losing My Religion and the song My Spirit which they dedicated to the late great Pete Steele (Type O Negative). Trip The Darkness and End Of Time are also stand out songs.

By far, one of the most powerful and beautiful albums of the year. The band have been on world tours for quite some time, and yet they have managed to produce one of the finest pieces of musical art of the last decade.Can't wait for their next visit to the UK!

Great CD