Pretty much every band has inspired divisions among their fanbase at one time or another. There are the “I only like the early stuff that sounds like it was recorded in a pig's anus” fans, and there are those who love the the new stuff as much as the old stuff.
In Lacuna Coil's case, fans of each persuasion exist in equal measure. Since their monumental full length debut, 'In A Reverie', arrived back in 1999, the Italian band have traded in their majestic gothic soundscapes for more straightforward, balls-to-the-wall metal.
Their seventh LP, 'Broken Crown Halo', grapples with a concoction of both and serves as a swansong for drummer Cristiano Mozzati and guitarist Cristiano Migliore, who are retiring.
For those in love with Lacuna Coil's later nu-metalstylings, there's much to be enjoyed here. Die & Rise boasts a rattling, groovy bassline that sounds more like Korn than Korn do, while Nothing Stands In Our Way does the same but with occasional death growls from vocalist Andrea Ferro, which are heartily endorsed.
A major turn-off for some listeners due to his bullish shouting, the man actually behaves himself for the majority of 'Broken Crown Halo', save for an embarrassing cry of 'burn baby, burn baby!' on In The End I Feel Alive.
Since their breakthrough album, 'Karmacode', back in 2006, Lacuna Coil have been absolute darlings for a chorus or two. The same applies to 'Broken Crown Halo' as the refrains on I Forgive (But I Won't Forget Your Name) and Zombies are genuine bangers, with CristinaScabbia's luscious vocals cranking things up a notch or two.
I Burn In You, meanwhile, showcases the morbid side of Lacuna Coil as Ferro's monotonous drawl couples with the down-tempo pace, making for a Paradise Lost-style ballad. The track is sprinkled with bizarre instrumentation and Scabbia's warbling and, in a way, it's refreshing to see the band taking occasional sonic adventures after the formulaic 'Dark Adrenaline'.
The album is a much more overblown affair than recent works, lending a cinematic feel to the songs. One Cold Day is a majestic, epic synth-fest, yet the down-tuned bass is still apparent. To some, this will be the equivalent of a wasp buzzing over a piece of music, but to others it will mark the perfect blend of aggression and beauty. While not a patch on their earlier recordings, 'Broken Crown Halo' finds Lacuna Coil with the power and confidence to just do what they enjoy doing.
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