Lacuna Coil "Dark Adrenaline"

                For a band looking for a quick fix to getting radio-play, this shot of Dark Adrenaline may be just what they need, and to make it a sure one they have enlisted Don Gilmore as producer of this chemical. It’s not like this band has just started, it has been fourteen years since they released their debut self-titled EP. They did receive mainstream attention in the U.S. for Comalies with singles alienating the ever-faithful proclaiming Heaven’s A Lie, and then becoming Swamped by attempts to convert this Italian band, or just ignore them. Even though they did receive that attention, it seems that they didn’t hit it as big as some of their cross-over contemporaries; even with following albums like Karmacode and Shallow Life (which did hit number sixteen on the Top 200). When working with such a producer as this many will be first to say that a formerly engaging artist gives up their musical identity for crossover success. When regarding their style Chuck Eddy says “they come off like radio metal's answer to Lady Antebellum: a man and woman sheltering each from a world of disaster,” and I agree with that comparison. That’s not a bad thing because it documents their ability to captivate, but on a different level; I would say I am reminded of Skillet, and to a lesser extent We Are The Fallen and Evanescence.                                                                                              As I “Trip the Darkness” I am reminded of one thing; the confessions one relays to themselves brings the truth to light allowing a positive change. Scabbia sounds like Lee in this song which also has an occasional dance rhythm running around, and as you prepare to criticize me because I dare even try to compare (from either side) I just smile and say “life’s too short to waste your energy on hate,” and I won’t let others “Kill the Light” inside of me; I will shine it for all to see.                                                                                Working with Gilmore on their last record they were criticized for simplifying their lyrics and diluting their musical identity by some fans of the band which demanded “Give Me Something More.” The latter is an anthem for the existentialist, with lyrics easy to comprehend and relate to; we all want to know that the sacrifices we make are worth it. The next song has as much swagger and groove as a midtempo mischief-maker can without turning their sound completely “Upsidedown.” “Once again you fail to even realize/The person that you think of me/Doesn't care what you believe.”  The undeniable crossover characteristics of the next track as well as its sound of winter, might be just the single they need to gain a wider fan base and have a winning chance in this game of radio airplay until the “End of Time.” “I Don’t Believe in Tomorrow” because it does not always exist; like words such as acerbicity. This next song has Scabbia melding the delivery of Alanis Morrissette and Christina Perri in what has me infatuated, incapacitated, and “Intoxicated.” Instead of our truth, we become trapped in an hourglass; coming down to the wire and it looks as if no hope is near. Ok, grab your skillets! Grab your pans! Let’s get ready for war! This slightly quicker mid-tempo rocker enlists “The Army Inside” to prevent these chemicals from killing the conscious mind and drowning in lost time; the solo is back up and knocks out some enemies. I won’t be “Losing my Religion” in the church of rapid-eye movement after hearing this cover, or losing it in general, but this cover becomes one of my favorites off of this record; a nod to the original with a great present-day twist. The next song brews anger, but it never really lights the  “Fire” or escapes its  doomed fate; like bottling in all that anger as it slowly kills you inside. My Favorites: Trip The Darkness, Against You, Kill The Light, Upsidedown, Intoxicated, The Army Inside, and Losing My Religion.