I write this review as I'm listening to the new album "Dark Adrenaline" which officially comes out on January 24, 2012. To caution readers, this is my first Lacuna Coil album so technically speaking I am a Lacuna Coil Virgin. I have heard bits and pieces of a few Lacuna Coil songs here and there but nothing in it's entirety like I am currently doing. Lacuna Coil, for those who don't know who they are, are an Italian Goth Metal Band from Milan that was formed in 1994. The band features 4 guys that provide the music, Cristiano "Pizza" Migliore - guitar, Marco "Maus" Biazzi - guitar, Marco Coti Zelati , bass guitar, keyboards, primary composer, Cristiano "Criz" Mozzati - drums, percussion, one guy on vocals, Andrea Ferro, and one really hot and sexy lady, Cristina Scabbia, on vocals as well as being the primary lyricist. Lacuna Coil has dabbled into alternative metal as well with their last release "Shallow Life". There soon to be released album "Dark Adrenaline" is more Goth Metal but does imploy some of the Alternative Metal.
So I just finished up listening to the new album and I have to say, I am very impressed. Especially with the cover of REM's "Losing My Religion". I really dig the fresh take on the song and love the vocals of Cristina Scabbia. The song features a heavier sound from the guitars and employs a more gothic sound while retaining that original alternative sound. It also reworks a little of the piano part. I have also been enjoying the first single off the album, "Trip The Darkness". Which starts out with and features primarily Andrea Ferro on vocals and Cristina Scabbia comes in primarily for the chorus parts. Think "Bring me to life" by Evanescence and thats along the lines of "Trip The Darkness". Another great song off the album and probably my favorite track is "End of Time". It's a slower, more soulful song but which perfectly showcases Cristina's beautiful vocals. However, its more uptempo than say "My Immortal" by Evanescence but still very well done! "Kill The Light" is another great song that starts off semi slow and then really rocks out in the chorus.
There is plenty of more great songs on this album and there is definitely a favorite for everyone. If you wanna check out something new that you haven't listened to yet or a fan of metal or simply a fan of Lacuna Coil, you will definitely want to check out "Dark Adrenaline". Guaranteed to not disappoint and quite possibly one of the best metal albums and albums in general of 2012!
Favorite Tracks: "Trip The Darkness", "End of Time", "Kill The Light", "Give Me Something More", "Losing My Religion (REM cover)"
I have returned from a bit of a hiatus over December and the holidays to bring you a Late music review of Bush's return to the music world after a 10 year hiatus with "The Sea of Memories". "The Sea of Memories" was released back in September of 2011. You all remember Singer Gavin Rossdale's 90's alternative rock band Bush, right? In case your completely forgot about them lets refresh your memory just a bit. Their 90's hits included such songs as "Everything Zen", "Swallowed", "Machinehead", "Comedown", "Greedy Fly", "The Chemicals Between us", and the remix of the song "Mouth" which was remixed from the original song off of the album "Razorblade Suitcase" and featured in the movie "An American Werewolf in Paris" as well as featured on Bush's remix album "Deconstructed". Personally, the remix of "Mouth" is one of my favorite Bush songs and continues to be one of my favorite songs of the 90's. If your still a little fuzzy about Bush and who Gavin Rossdale is, I'm sure you all remember Miss Gwen Stefani, of the band No Doubt, and her marriage to yes, Gavin Rossdale. Yes, he is the same guy that founded Bush.
Now that we all remember Bush, let take a look at "The Sea of Memories". Let me start off by saying that if your expecting the same type of Bush 90's alternative music as I guess most of us were, You will be disappointed but, not too disappointed once you hear the music. Like many other bands before them, the period of the mid 2000's to early 2010's (I'm sure future years will yield to this as well), bands have decided to grow and mature and change their sound just a bit. Metallica, Jane's Addiction, and Red Hot Chili Peppers were the most notable bands to do this with their latest albums. Bush has followed that lead and created a more pop-rock album. I would like to think of it as a sort of neoalternative music. Basically speaking, a new 2010's version of the 90's alternative rock. But don't get completely down or think they have sold out by any means. This album is a bit of a breath of fresh air for Bush. Gavin Rossdale's superior vocals really shine on this album and is the best its ever been in Bush's long career which started back in 1992. Hard to believe it's been that long right?
This album has some really catchy heavier riffs as well as some very soulful, more romantic, slower songs (but nothing like the 80's slow, sappy, romance songs). The album also has hints of the bands earlier work intertwined into the music. The lead off single "The Sound of Winter" is most arguably one of the best songs off the album. It has a mid-tempo, very catchy riff and a chorus that begs you to sing along. Another notable song would be "The Afterlife". Another mid-tempo that starts off with a very catchy single guitar riff and vocals that sound almost like a college alternative or punk band song then it dives into the chorus which holds back on the heavy punk/alternative riff for a more lighter standard rock riff. In this next song Gavin Rossdale really shows off his impressive vocals with a slower song called "All Night Doctors". Easily my second favorite song. What can I say, I'm a sucker for slower, romantic rock songs. The song starts off with a lone piano and Gavin's very impressive vocals, then plays into the chorus with very light rhythm guitar in the background and what appears to be another piano or perhaps a violin or guitar solo adding to the background rhythm track behind the lone piano. The next track that starts playing is the soon to be second single from the album, "Baby Come Home". This song has reminiscents of the 90's rock music as it reminds me of being back in the mid to late 90's perhaps even early 2000's. Another song with a mid-tempo catchy riff that sounds like a perfect soundtrack song. "She's a Stallion", "I Believe In You", and "Stand Up" are some other well written songs that also sound like that college-esque alternative band that could be put on a soundtrack. When I see the words "The Heart Of The Matter" I immediately think of the Don Henley song of the same name. Thinking this was a cover of that song the first time I saw the name in the track listing I was eager to listen to it only to find out that it is a completely different and original yet really well done song. Another of my favorite tracks that has an upbeat mid-tempo catchy tune that could easily get stuck in your head. The last song on the album "Be Still My Love" is the second of only two slow songs on the album. Its a bit more uptempo than "All Night Doctors" but again, very well written and Gavin's vocals shine through and are very impressive. No piano though, but its based around a guitar riff and what appears to be a violin or maybe guitar solo in the background.
Overall, I really like the new direction Bush has taken on this new album! As I said before it's a breath of fresh air for Bush, it's fans and for rock music. I highly recommend at least taking a listen to this album. You will definitely like what you hear. Maybe other 90's alternative bands besides Bush and Jane's Addiction will follow suit and continue in this new found neoalternative music!
Favorite Tracks: "The Sound of Winter", "The Afterlife", "All Night Doctors", "Baby Come Home", "She's A Stallion", "Stand Up", "The Heart of The Matter", "Be Still My Love".
