Lacuna Coil / Rock City / Nottingham

Oct 30

Oct 30 Lacuna Coil / Rock City / Nottingham

Hard to believe it’s not just yesterday, but 22 years since I first listened to Heaven’s A Lie from Lacuna Coil and bought their iconic album “Comalies”. And here we are again, At Rock City to see them live again on their “In the Meantime….” Tour.

First up in support something a little different, in the form of Finnish nu metal band Blind Channel. Blind Channel are Joel Hokka (vocals & guitar), Niko Moilanen (vocals) Joonas Porko (guitar), Olli Matela (bass) Tommi Lalli (drums) and Aleksi Kaunisvesi (samples, percussion & DJ). Perhaps best known for their 2021 appearance for Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song Dark Side which came in a creditable sixth place, and have become a popular live band on the continent.

Their sound is a mix, with nu metal at its heart, but with more than just a dash of boyband attitude and style mixed with hip hop and pop influences too. Described by the band themselves as ‘Violent Pop’ its kinda fitting.

I don’t know if the band asked for it, or if the venue went wild, but the smoke effects were somewhat OTT for the set creating a fine mock London smog. Between bands some of the front row crowd said how difficult it was for them to see Blind Channel. Good job the performance made up for it, and I was surprised how much the crowd were into it, and lapping up the sense of fun exuding from the stage 9and from the depths of the smog !)

Like many a good boy band, the set is tightly choreographed, and stylistically it is smooth and well delivered. There’s great energy levels as they stride round the stage with ease, encouraging the crowd to clap, and sing along and dance.

There’s a great cover of B.Y.O.B. by System of a Down, before the unmistakable sound of Everybody (Backstreet's Back) by the Backstreet Boys blasts out at us. It is a very catchy tune, and with their unique mix of styles they bring a new, and refreshing take to the track.

They end the set with their Eurovision entry Dark Vision a pulsing beat that draws you in to the nu metal ‘One Step Closer’ vibe going on. The Audience are enjoying it. Very different to Lacuna Coil, but they started the party well, and pumped the crowd up well ready for the main event.

Setlist

Deadzone

Where's The Exit

Over My Dead Body

We Are No Saints

XOXO

Flatline

Die Another day

Violent Bob (Deja Fu)

B.Y.O.B. (System of a Down cover)

Wolves In CaliforniaA

Balboa

Everybody (Backstreet's Back) (Backstreet Boys cover)

Dark Side

I’m almost late into the photo pit, stood at the bar trying to wrap my head round the fact that Lacuna Coil formed 30 years ago in 1994 ! Just…. How ?! Originating from Milan The current Lacuna Coil line up is Andrea Ferro (vocals), Cristina Scabbia (vocals), Marco Coti Zelati (bass & keyboards, Richard Meiz (drums) and Daniele Salomone (guitar). They’ve released nine studio albums and carved out a reputation as the best gothic metal band around (in my view).

First out is Richard who climbs behind his drum kit and waves and points at the crowd whipping up the excitement levels even more as the rest of the band head out onto the stage. All dressed in black with a dramatic crows skull motif prominent on the front. Marco particularly impressive with his haunting white face make up and painted red head creating the illusion of exposed brain matter ! Cool. Danielle has his face painted in black and white stripes, obscured by a large hood, while Andrea sports a simpler clown like eye make up.

Right from the first notes the sound is incredible. Technically brilliant, Lacuna Coil play with a free style, at ease with each other and clearly loving the experience. Centre stage is the enigmatic Cristina. It may be 30 years, but boy her voice is as good now as ever. After leaving the pit, I stood by the bar just concentrating on the vocals for a bit. The tone is perfect. No fluctuation, nothing – just in tune, crisp, clear and precise, simply stunning, able to hold the long highs and dip down to the deep tones as and when needed.

The set is a great mix of the old classics such as Our Truth from “Karmacode” which is intense and powerful, and the ever popular Heaven’s A Lie from “Comalies” which has the crowd bouncing along and singing to the chorus. But of course the moment everyone wants is their iconic cover of the Depeche Mode classic Enjoy the Silence. Released some 20 years ago, they’ve kind of made the song their own and there isn’t a voice raised alongside Cristina’s in homage to this classic.

The classics are mixed with some newer material such as In The Meantime a song about how we aim for unobtainable things and forget to be good to ourselves in the meantime. Then there’s the latest release Oxygen which is a stormin’ track, Andrea’s vocals are deep, dark and harsh and act as the perfect juxtaposition to Cristina’s softer tones. The guitar parts from Daniele and Marco are powerful and crushing. It has a darkness to it, lit by Cristina’s impressive vocals. The finger horns are up and heads are bangin’ hard now. For me, song of the night. As they’ve matured, Lacuna Coil have become harder and intense. It hits hard…. and I love it !

Another more recent track is Never Dawn with its brief quiet also North African intro before the drums and guitar riffs crash down like a tidal wave. Cristina’s voice is crystal clear on this one and again Andrea delivers the growling attitude in bucket loads.

Indeed the old and new blend perfectly. In 2022 they released “Comalies XX” to mark the albums 20thanniversary. It’s not a re-mastering, but a re-evaluation of the classic album, putting the old tracks to the sword and bringing them up to date with their new style and deeper, harsher intensity. It’s a great album and well worth checking out, and live, it gives those classic tracks a whole new feel.

Both Andrea and Cristina manage the crowd perfectly, whipping up the frenzy when needed, standing atop the steps at the front of the stage, the two stand over their adoring audience as they conduct the congregation.

The set encore ends with Nothing Stands in Our Way from 2014’s “Broken Crown Halo” which has become something of an iconic anthem and is delivered with passion and received with the same from the adoring crowd.

Lacuna Coil have evolved and become something new, something darker and harder, and are one of the best live metal bands around today. The set is delivered with energy, intensity, and most importantly…. That famous Italian passion.

Quite simply a stunning night.

Setlist

Blood, Tears, Dust

Reckless

Trip the Darkness

Apocalypse

Oxygen

Layers of Time

Our Truth

Entwined

Now or Never

Heaven’s a Lie