For those who love the band and have loved them for a long time, this review will probably not do Lacuna Coil justice. I have only had the opportunity to listen to this album and cannot compare it to previous efforts or even their latest effort. So, with this “aside” to the side, I will review the album on its own as a first-time listener.

First, if you read what Short Stick had to say about the state music is in right now, you would understand why I felt compelled to search the Internet for new sounds. Well, I don’t know if Lacuna Coil is completely original because of my ignorance of the ethereal/gothic genre, yet, ridding myself of all this posturing, I have to say that I enjoy the freshness of L.C. immensely.

I like the Death Metal sound. Always have. I did get bored of the repetitive efforts of some bands, though others have always tried to evolve (Sepultura comes to mind, with Carcass, Entombed, and Morbid Angel). Lacuna Coil is distinctive because it blends an ethereal female voice with an aggressive, sometimes death-toned, sometimes not, male voice. The guitar work is derived from Gothic and power Metal--- there are real driving, full count power chord riffs on this album that work so well they almost control you. The singing is especially powerful and effective because it has a spiritual quality to it. “When a dead man walks” and “Purify” stand out among many others that are excellent.

This band is interesting, subtle, potent, and provoking to the senses. If you have an open mind about music and are willing to give something new a try, and if you like heavy music and you like soft music at the same time, then you have to check this album out. It may not even be Lacuna Coil’s absolute best, but for these virgin ears, tired of nasally voiced high-school-skater-rock, it unleashed memories of a better time in the music world, a time where musicians put spirit into their work, rather than a thumb up their puckers.