Rating:
Genre:
Rock
Release Date: 04/04/2006
Many fans of
prog metal would like to believe that once upon a time, the dramatic mood and operatic self-importance that define the genre came as a natural result of the music's compositional influences, and only recently has the over-the-top tone taken priority over musical quality. Whether or not such a magical time ever really existed,
Lacuna Coil hearkens back to those possibly imaginary days with their 2006 release
Karmacode. The Italian sextet's songwriting and instrumentation directly reflect the original naming of
metal as a separate mineral from
rock & roll, with a seamless blend of
classical music and modern
rock. As a result, the disc seems refreshingly self-possessed. The band doesn't intentionally shy away from the stylistic qualifiers that have come to exemplify
progressive metal, it just allows the theatrical elements to emerge on their own. The album's goth voice, for instance, is readily apparent without desperate or forced attempts at spooky compositions, because it shines through in truly inspired melodies that just happen to be ethereal, exotic, and chilling. Likewise,
Karmacode achieves communion with its
power metal roots in songs written in an epic fashion, from the bottom up rather than through lyrics about dragons and elves.
Karmacode seems immune to even the gloomier and more widespread trappings of
metal, expressing emotion in ways that sound almost freakishly earnest and genuine. In addition to all of this potentially boring integrity, the disc is highly listenable. Though obviously unconcerned with finding a place in the mainstream, this release just as cool and catchy as anything by
Evanescence, a band who took the causal switch between tone and musicality one step further, creating a
pop version of an already diluted brand of
metal. At least some generous chunk of the record's compelling nature can be attributed to singer
Cristina Scabbia's enthralling timbre -- her reverberating call over the repeating choruses toward the end of the group's
"Enjoy the Silence" cover makes this disc worth the price of purchase. The frontwoman was born with a strong, unique voice and would probably create bizarrely charismatic renditions of
show tunes if that was her chosen art. Lucky for
prog fans, her interests lie far from Broadway and with a style to which she brings dexterous technical skill, as well as a refreshing delivery. Despite
Scabbia's attention-grabbing sound and stage presence, the album still has each bandmember to thank for its success, not to mention producer
Waldemar Sorychta; they have done their jobs so deftly that one could easily opt out of paying attention to the sophisticated and complex nature of their creation and just enjoy the ride.
~Cammila Albertson, All Music Guide
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