Italy’s Lacuna Coil has certainly stuck it out. Since their debut EP was released in 1998 the band has become known for their signature sound of dark, melodic hard rock and heavy metal. They garnered legions of fans and perhaps just as many imitators, some of whom achieved even larger commercial success.
Lacuna kept touring and releasing new albums, refining their sound into a sharp focussed point that kept the distinguishable elements that they had pioneered, while attracting the attention of mainstream press and radio. It’s a difficult balancing act. Despite maintaining their essential sound, much of their underground metal fan-base cried foul at their increased popularity, viewing their success as tantamount to selling-out their original credibility.
But the band continued on the path they had chosen, playing in front of every possible audience they could find, attracting new fans from all over the world. They’re currently promoting their latest album “Dark Adrenaline”, a more sombre affair than their last hit record, the ironically-titled “Shallow Life”. I had a chance to sit down with the always-lovely vocalist Cristina Scabbia before their most recent set in Toronto opening for the reformed Coal Chamber.