Is it really 9 years since Italian Goth Metal legends, Lacuna Coil, last trod the stage in Newcastle. Almost a decade? How on earth did that happen?
Plenty of water has passed under the bridge since then with two albums released along with a deconstructed and rerecorded version of Comalies to mark its 20th anniversary as well as the recruitment of Richard Meiz on drums and Daniele Salomone guitar since then.
With the bulk of the set built around Sleepless Empire’ released earlier this year and the previous album, Black Anima, this was a radically different set to that which they performed on their last visit to Newcastle.
Lacuna Coil seemed rejuvenated by the new album as they hit the stage to a ferocious “Layers Of Time” and “Reckless” from the previous release, Black Anima, before “Hosting The Shadow” from the new album kicked in.
Cristina Scabbia, dressed in a Gothic Ra Ra skirt looked suitably sinister and delivered the soaring, melodies as her vocal foil Andrea Ferro decked in black provided the contemporary growls and harsh vocals giving the perfect contrast which has been their trademark for nigh on three decades.
With bassist Marco Coti Zelati, Meiz and Salomone masked in spooky face paint Lacuna Coil packed a visual punch as well as a musical one.
Of course, Lacuna favourites peppered the set from the melody soaked “Spellbound”, “Nothing Stands In Our Way” and the groove heavy “Die and Rise” being welcomed like long lost friends along with the 20th anniversary reworking of “Heaven’s A Lie” and “Swamped” although it may well be “I Wish You Were Dead” that won top honours for its insanely catchy hook that stuck around long after the band left the stage.
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