I recently purchased "Aegis" by Theatre Of Tragedy (another fabulous group signed to Century Media Records) and I find their sound similar to Lacuna Coil (they are bound to get compared to) so if you like TOT but want a more aggressive female vocalist without the growling and screaming of the male singer than Lacuna Coil's "Comalies" is the best CD for melodic metal fans! This may be my only album by Lacuna Coil but I already consider myself a huge aficionado!


What the hell is wrong with everybody?!   March 18, 2004
18 out of 20 found this review helpful

This is one of those records that just leaves your jaw dropped in awe: awe that music could ever get this good again, and awe from realizing just how braindead the music world is to have overlooked them for so long.
Popular music has been so insubstantial and rehashed for the last several years that a recording of this caliber is bound to create quite a stir. There is not one single bad song here: they are catchy without taking that fateful plunge over the "commercial" cliff; unlike what's popular, they have something to say in words actually beyond the high school level; and they are sung by a voice that we puny humans do not deserve to be exposed to.
It doesn't hurt that Cristina Scabbia is the hottest piece of eye candy in music, but even if she wasn't her voice would still be the equivalent of an angelic choir.
This album was released almost a year before it was really noticed by anyone. That's just sad. I have had this cd now for over a month and I STILL listen to it everyday. In fact I can't remember the last time I have been so absorbed in a recording. Probably never. All I know is that I this is the first cd I have purchased in years because it stands head and shoulders above everything else out there as far as quality and substance.
It's scary to think that anything could be this good. How LC hasn't single-handedly run all of those cookie cutter corporate rock bands out of the business by now is mystifying. There is simply NO comparison. It appears that we have 2 choices these days: Lacuna Coil or fraudulent corporate music.


The Coil's Masterwork   January 4, 2003
10 out of 10 found this review helpful

As of this writing, this cd has an Amazon sales rank of 2,703. I suppose that the reality is it will never get that much higher -- which is a crying shame because (assuming you are reading this review) you are contemplating buying one of 2002's best releases. If you like your music to be heavy and atmospheric, and don't mind electronic flourishes here and there, I can almost guaranty that this record will not disappoint you.
I've been a fan of the Coil for awhile, and have most of their recorded output. For those unfamiliar, they play a style of music that sort of melds metal, hard rock and goth with touches of electronica -- a style that I have heard referred to as "darkwave." They have two vocalists, one male and one female, who share vocal responsibilities. Their main strength has always been Christina Scabbia's voice, which is strong, clear, high but not too high, and emotive. She could mesmerize you even if she is singing a grocery list. Their main weakness, most noticeable in their last release, has been a tendency to write very similar-sounding songs. The band is more than competent, musically, but their songwriting was never terribly varied.
"Comalies," though is a huge step forward in the songwriting department. This is in part due to an increased electronica element, most noticeable on "Daylight Dancer" and "Tight Rope" -- which are also two of the record's highlights. The songs in general are more varied and interesting in their structure. Also, Andrea Ferro (the male vocalist) has much improved. He accounts for around 30% to 40% of the vocals on the album, and they are all clean -- though some border on a shouted/screamed approach.
Aside from the two aforementioned songs, "Swamped," "The Ghost Woman and the Hunter," "Angel's Punishment," and "Comalies" are all high points. All in all, this is a phenomenal record offering a varied and balanced selection of emotion-charged atmospheric music. Highly recommended.
Tracklist: 1) Swamped 2) Heaven's a Lie 3) Daylight Dancer 4) Humane 5) Self Deception 6) Aeon 7) Tight Rope 8) The Ghost Woman and the Hunter 9) Unspoken 10) Entwined 11) The Prophet Said 12) Angel's Punishment 13) Comalies. A limited edition version also contains a track, entitled "Lost Lulluby," that didn't "fit" on the last album.


Your jaw will drop   December 11, 2002
The Deac (Bristow, VA United States)
22 out of 26 found this review helpful

I bought this CD at the recommendation of a friend having never heard the band previously. And I have not regretted it since. This is a unique, inspiring and fresh approach to a relatively stale metal scene. The dual vocalists, in what is the one and only time I have EVER liked this situation, cause 2 dynamics that create such a hauntingly beautiful sound that it just boggles my mind. Never did I ever think that a band could sound like a mixture of say Tori Amos and Meshuggah, but Lacuna Coil accomplishes such a feat, and does it so well that it is a shame these guys aren't well known. Now, I tend to usually like more aggresive music, but this album just consumed me from the first listen. With its melodies combined with the awesome metal riffs, this sounds just amazing. HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION!


Captivating, unique sound   August 31, 2004
Sheila Doki (Sherman, TX USA)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

I discovered Lacuna Coil when they toured with my two favorite bands, P.O.D. and Blindside in May 2004. After seeing their live performance, I thought they were good, but didn't really think much about them afterwards.

About a month later, I was looking for a little CD collection update...so I bought Comalies. I'll admit that the first few listens, I was kind of thinking "Okay...Swamped is good, but this CD for the most part is bland."

However, luckily Comalies is one of those CDs that grow on you with each listen. Now I enjoy almost every song from this amazing album. Stand-out tracks are "Swamped", "Self Deception", "Unspoken", "Entwined", and MOST OF ALL..."The Ghost Woman And The Hunter." That haunting ballad is the most beautiful showcase of Cristina Scabbia's vocals, and everytime I listen to it, I like it more.

The thing that disgusts me is that it's impossible to read a review of Evanescence without the mention of Lacuna Coil, and it's impossible to read a review of Lacuna Coil without the mention of Evanescence. It's like a Christina/Britney thing: they're compared, but they have NOTHING in common. The only things that I can think of that Amy Lee and Cristina Scabbia have in common are: they're both female, and they're both talented. End of story. Otherwise, their vocal styles, lyrics, and band's music are completely different.

Many people are failing to remember that there ARE other members of Lacuna Coil other than Cristina. Andrea ("Andy") Ferro, the co-lead male vocalist is pretty awesome. At first listen, one might be turned off from LC's music because his voice is one of those that grows on you with time (kind of like this album). However, in certain songs (especially "Entwined"), their vocals complement one another very beautifully.

I highly recommend this CD to anyone who's willing to try out new things. Lacuna Coil is original, they're talented, and might I add they put on quite a wonderful live show. Put all pre-conception "comparisons" to Evanescence aside, and see for yourself.