ALBUM REVIEW: “Sleepless Empire” by Lacuna Coil
14th February 2025 sees the release of the latest album “Sleepless Empire” from Lacuna Coil on Century Media Records.
Hailing from Milan, Lacuna Coil (translates as ‘empty spiral’) are an Italian gothic metal band, renowned for their distinctive blend of heavy metal, gothic rock, and symphonic elements, characterised by dual vocal harmonies between co-lead vocalists Cristina Scabbia and Andrea Ferro. Formed back in 1994 the band gained international recognition, and first came to my attention with the release of their third album “Comalies” in 2002, which featured the hit singles Heaven's a Lie and Swamped.
Over the years, Lacuna Coil have released several successful albums, including “Karmacode” (2006), “Shallow Life” (2009), “Dark Adrenaline” (2012) and “Black Anima” (2019). Their latest release was “Comalies XX” in 2022, the highly acclaimed remake and reimagining of their breakthrough record of the same title.
Known for their dynamic live performances and strong stage presence, Lacuna Coil have toured extensively, sharing stages with prominent bands in the metal scene and performing at major music festivals around the globe.
Today the band consists of Cristina Scabbia (vocals), Andrea Ferro (vocals), Marco Coti Zelati (Bass, Guitar, Synths), and Richard Meiz (Drums).
The inspiration to create “Sleepless Empire” came during the “Comalies XX” sessions, and subsequently writing and recording took place in northern Italy between Milano, the band’s hometown and Como, where SPVN Studios are located. As with their previous albums, production was done in house with Marco “Maki” Coti Zelati at the helm, and artwork was hand curated by the talented Italian artist Roberto Toderico.
The album also includes two notable special guest appearances on vocal, from Lamb of God’s Randy Blythe (on Hosting the Shadow) and New Year’s Day’s Ash Costello (on In The Mean Time).
The new album delivers that fan-favorite heavy guitar sound, and classic dual vocals. Opening track The Siege, blends a haunting intro with heavier elements, creating a powerful start to the album. Cristina and Andrea compliment each other perfectly and the balance between the two styles is spot on. Cristina delivering the operatic beauty supplemented by Andrea’s guttural growls. On “Sleepless Empire” Andrea’s vocals seem to take on a deeper and even more ferocious feel (top stuff !)
The second track is the already-released single Oxygen. Raw and powerful, it’s one you just cannot help but headbang to with it’s catchy rhythm. Richard Meiz shines here delivering some crazy fast beats with the double pedals. The use of discrete sections adds to the overall effect and this along with final track Never Dawn are probably my favourites on the album.
The theme of the album is darkness and when asked about the message behind the record the band stated “Sleepless Empire captures, through our eyes, the chaos of a generation trapped in a digital world that never stops, where social media consumes identity and every day pushes us one step closer to becoming soulless zombies. We find ourselves in between, having witnessed a full analogic world and the modern one, confronting the evolution and searching for a true meaning of it all. Throughout every song, the journey is an undercurrent of rebellion, a desperate cry to reclaim oneself in an era that seems to have lost its sense of time and reality.”
Not well known for doing collaborations Lacuna Coil use them to brilliant effect on “Sleepless Empire” especially the harsh vocals of Lamb of God’s Randy Blythe on Hosting the Shadow giving an ever harder edge. The vocals are brutal and so impressive transforming it from a Goth to a Black metal masterpiece.
“Sleepless Empire” is a great album. It’s not groundbreaking, it delivers what every Lacuna Cil fan would want….. more of the same, with that classic gothic feel evident. There are the additions of some impressive guest vocals and it’s a fantastic album, just not groundbreaking.
A thoroughly enjoyable album and a solid release from the Italian Giants, a worthy 8.5/10 from LiveWire Music
