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LACUNA COIL

From page 76 of Classic Rock Magazine January 2003

Cover of January 2003 issue.

LAST YEAR'S 'COMALIES', THE THIRD album from Italy's Lacuna Coil, firmly placed the six-strong, operatically grandiose and kaftan-wearing band in the hearts and minds of goths from Sicily to Scunthorpe.

Being fronted by the Penelope Cruzalike Mediterranean beauty Cristina Scabbia ensured Lacuna Coil perhaps more than their fair share of magazine posters and covers in their early days, but Scabbia is certainly not just a pretty face; in the majority of the band's material, her uplifting, haunting and romantic English-sung vocals are offset against the bass growl of male vocalist Andrea Ferro: "I can't stand the idea of a woman who just stands there looking pretty," stated the frontwoman, who describes herself as a fan of all popular culture rather than of some of the influences adopted by stereotypical studious and pretentious gothic fops.

Such is the band's reputation on the continent that a host of female-fronted Euro-goth metal bands — such as Bloodflowerz and After Forever — have sprung up in Lacuna Coil's wake. Cristina's sizeable vocal talent gives her the authority to rail against those who put the band's success down to her looks — although she's not one to shy away from using her glamour in photoshoots to full effect.

The Milanese band's flamboyant sound — completed by twin metal guitar assault and epic keyboard chords — has resulted in some major tour and headline slots, filling venues like London's Astoria at the end of last year, despite them being relative newcomers. Lacuna Coil — who cite their influences as everything from Beethoven to Swedish death metal mob Meshuggah — debuted in '99 with the lauded 'In A Reverie,' and followed it up in 2001 with 'Unleashed Memories'.

With the band's live successes at several Euro festivals last year, their longevity looks assured.

Influences: All About Eve, Ghost Dance, -; Type 0 Negative