Karmacode | 
| Artist: Lacuna Coil
Label: Century Media
Category: Music
List Price: $15.98
Buy Used: $6.99
You Save: $8.99 (56%)
New (34) Used (22) Collectible (1) from $6.99
Rating:  138 reviews
Sales Rank: 15726
Format: Enhanced, Explicit Lyrics
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 8360
UPC: 727701836027
EAN: 0727701836027
ASIN: B000EHSVI2
Release Date: April 4, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Tracks:
| • | Fragile | | • | To The Edge | | • | Our Truth | | • | Within Me | | • | Devoted | | • | You Create | | • | What I See | | • | Fragments Of Faith | | • | Closer | | • | In Visible Light | | • | The Game | | • | Without Fear | | • | Enjoy The Silence (Depeche Mode cover song) |
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| Customer Reviews: Read 133 more reviews...
Solid, nothing more April 7, 2006
A. Stutheit (Denver, CO USA)
36 out of 41 found this review helpful
On 2003's "Comalies," this Italian six piece goth-metal band finally got noticed. "Comalies" sold several hundred thousand copies, and boasted a couple of catchy singles, so it was thought of as a "breakthrough album." But instead of signing to a major record label, Lacuna Coil stuck with their current one, Century Media, and released their fourth full length disc.
"Karmacode" is somewhat of an experimental album, since a few new ingredients are also sprinkled on here and there. "Our Truth," for instance, makes effective use of tribal drums; and "In Visible Light" features (what sounds like) violins.
But this band's same basic sound is still here, with crunchy guitar riffs and frontwoman Cristina Scabbia's impressive, limpid singing. "What I See," "Closer," and "The Game" are all traditional Lacuna Coil tracks, with punching, almost Korn-esque guitars and soaring vocals.
Other highlights include the aforementioned "Our Truth," which is the album's first single, but the churning album opener, "Fragile," is probably this record's catchiest song. And, lastly, "You Create" is a pretty (albeit short) song, with a spacey vibe and intoxicating vocals.
"Karmacode" suffers a little bit from a somewhat thin production job (especially on the guitars), but it's still definitely worth buying for all Lacuna Coil fans. It isn't a mind-blowing album, or a huge leap forward from "Comalies," but it is very solid and completely listenable.
Much Better Than I Expected May 3, 2006
Justin Gaines (Atlanta, GA)
13 out of 13 found this review helpful
Man, judging from the other reviews, longtime Lacuna Coil fans really don't seem to like Karmacode. I suppose I can understand why. I've been a fan of the band since their self-titled EP and saw them in concert supporting bands they have since overshadowed. On the one hand, I think everyone wants the band to experience the success they deserve. On the other hand, I think we tend to regard Lacuna Coil as "our band" and don't want to see them get so big they become some unrecognizable MTV entity.
A lot of things have changed since Comalies was released. Evanescence's success cast a spotlight on this kind of music, and Lacuna Coil started to garner some much deserved attention as a result. The band's videos from Comalies enjoyed heavy rotation on MTV's metalcore obsessed Headbanger's Ball. The band even secured a spot on the Ozzfest lineup. These factors were bound to play a role in the direction of Lacuna Coil's next album, and the fear was that the band would take a more accessible, nu-metal influenced route. With Karmacode, the band did exactly that.
But it works.
I was a total skeptic going in, but after a few short weeks Karmacode is fast becoming my favorite Lacuna Coil album. Yes, there are some nu-metal elements, most notably the much more prominent, Korn-style bass sound. Christina & co. don't resort to rapping, but there is a sharper vocal delivery on some tracks. It's as if they looked at the various elements of American metal and incorporated those elements that would truly enhance their music. This isn't some shameless attempt to win over American audiences, but rather an example of a band willing to grow and progress.
As much as I enjoyed Comalies, In a Reverie, and Unleashed Memories, each album had a very similar sound, and had some less than exciting moments. Karmacode is not only a step forward in terms of style, but is also the first Lacuna Coil album that stays interesting from start to finish. The album's first three tracks (including the single Our Truth, which never fails to have me turning up the volume and banging my head) hit so hard that by the time the slower-paced Devoted comes around; you need to take a deep breath. Then it's right back to heavier songs until the album's closer, a faithful and appropriate rendition of Depeche Mode's Enjoy the Silence. Throw in a video clip for Our Truth, a documentary video, and a price tag under $10, and you have an album that is a winner any way you look at it.
While I can partially understand some of the negative reaction, it's hard to reconcile that with the fact that Karmacode is so freaking good. If this album gives Lacuna Coil more mainstream success and a wider audience, then so be it. They have nothing to be ashamed of (quite the opposite) with Karmacode, and deserve whatever success they get.
 Music does not have to fit into a genre to be good! February 12, 2007
a music person (U.S.A.)
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
I've noticed many reviewers have a tendency to compare Lacuna Coil - and this album in particular - to bands that represent a particular genre. My advice to you is this: don't. Don't expect this album to sound just like Evanescence, or Paradise Lost, or Korn, or any other band. Lacuna Coil is an unusual blend of elements from metal, gothic rock, pop, and probably a few other things I'm not thinking of off the top of my head. The lead singer has a pretty voice, and a decent range, but don't expect her to show it most of the time - the song is more important here than how many trills the singer can do, how fast the bassist can play, or how complicated a riff the guitarist can play. This album is loaded with hooks (usually played by the bassist), and brimming with meaning. I've seen a lot of people say they are disappointed that there aren't a lot of solos, etc. to show off the various talents of the band members. If they had paid more attention to the lyrics, they would have known why. It seems to me that this is a concept album about dealing with disease and death, and the songs seem tailored to express the feelings that go along with that. Solos would have been out of place here, as the main emotions are despair and helplessness. That said, Lacuna Coil ends the album on a more positive note, with their cover of "Enjoy the Silence", which makes it seem like Lacuna Coil are saying, "Yes, there's death, but there's also life." I can't read the band members' minds, but that's what this album says to me. It is deeply emotional, touching, and should be judged as a work of art - not by how well it fits into expectations created by genre divisions.
"Grief is the light" September 29, 2006
D. Knouse (vancouver, washington United States)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
Lacuna Coil successfully upholds the Goth-Rock tradition with this solid effort after their immensely successful "Comalies." Like "Comalies" the production value on "Karmacode" is exemplary, but "Comalies" is nowhere near as bass-heavy as "Karmacode." Even on the slower songs such as "Within Me" the chorus is carried by a commanding bass line. While I love the diversity of songcraft on "Comalies" I also enjoy the headbanging quality of many of the songs on "Karmacode." The emphasis is once again centered on those glorious female vocalizations and quality arrangements, but on no previous album do these guys sound more like a complete band with equal contributions from all than on "Karmacode." There is really only one song on this album that I would consider second-rate by comparison to the other tracks and that is "Closer" with a chorus that has a level of catchiness to it that borders on annoying. The closing song is an excellent cover of Depeche Mode's "Enjoy the Silence" that had my complete attention and smiling the first time around. For all their commercial accessibility Lacuna Coil has maintained a Goth-Rock sensibility on "Karmacode" that is admirable and dare I say it...fun to hear. Thank you.
 A little on the trendy side, but still a good listen August 3, 2006
Richard Terry (Los Angeles, CA United States)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Lacuna Coil enjoyed success following the release of Comalies in 2002. Since then Lacuna Coil have been featured in Ozzfest, toured with Rob Zombie, and performed various metal/hard rock festivals and shows around the world. I was an eager fan waiting to pick up my copy on the day 'Karmacode' was released. The main question that many fans have been asking has been whether or not this album has been worth the wait. In four years since the breakthrough album 'Comalies,' Karmacode does not really seem like a huge step foward.
The album starts off well with 'Fragile.' Christina Scabbia has wonderful vocals with a middle eastern flare. The song 'To the Edge' is a decent track, but it seems to be too repetitive. Just about everyone has heard 'Our Truth' which is actually one of my favorite songs. 'Within Me' is soft song that sounds made for American radio. Speaking of American radio, many songs here are very catchy. This is not generally a bad thing at all. 'Fragments of Faith' is very catchy and one of my favorite songs on the album. 'You Create' and 'What I See' are fun to listen to and the middle eastern mood is extremely present. Andi's vocals are pretty good throughout.
One of my main concerns is that this release sounds pretty trendy. It is almost borderline with the music that is considered popular in the U.S. If you do not believe me, just listen to the choruses on many of the songs and the not-so-creative guitar work by Marco Zelati and Maus. Scabbia's vocals really do shine, though. Lacuna Coil have seemed to have gone with a more mainstream approach then the style with Comalies. Newcomers to Lacuna Coil, please start out with Comalies, then check this one out. It definately is not bad material, but it's not great either. I hope it will not take four years for another Lacuna Coil album to come out, though.
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