Ryan Murray | Co-Owner | Chief Editor | Contributor | Photographer
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Lacuna Coil has never been a band to sit still. Every album they put out isn’t just a collection of songs—it’s a world, a mood, a reflection of where they are in their journey. Sleepless Empire, their tenth studio record, is no different, but this time, the cinematic grandeur, the darkness, and the sheer weight of it all feel even more intense. Maybe it’s because this is their first full-length with guitarist Daniele Salomone, injecting a fresh kind of fire into the mix. Maybe it’s the times we’re living in, the never-ending scroll of digital life feeding the paranoia and chaos woven into these songs. Whatever the reason, Sleepless Empire feels like a band that has nothing to prove but everything to unleash.
The album kicks off with ‘The Siege’, and right away, it’s war. Andrea Ferro’s guttural growls are more vicious than ever, and Cristina Scabbia counterbalances him with this haunting, almost ghostly melody that builds until it explodes into a chorus made for stadiums. The orchestration underneath, that grand, Hans Zimmer-esque tension Maki has talked about? It’s here in full force, making it feel like the soundtrack to some apocalyptic showdown. And that mood doesn’t let up as ‘Oxygen’ kicks in. This one is a masterclass in Lacuna Coil’s ability to blend beauty and brutality. Cristina’s voice floats effortlessly over a pounding, industrial-tinged riff, giving the track a weightless-yet-heavy contrast that only they can pull off.
Then comes ‘Scarecrow’, and instead of slowing things down, it lunges forward with a menacing, unstoppable momentum. The cinematic elements shine here—this is a song that feels like it belongs in a psychological horror film, but instead of creeping tension, it surges with an almost frantic energy. The riffs churn like a storm, the drums hit with precision, and Cristina’s hypnotic vocal lines weave through the chaos with eerie control. And then ‘Gravity’ yanks us back into pure, unrelenting heaviness. Andrea’s screams are raw, almost desperate, while Daniele’s riff work is downright vicious. You can feel the renewed energy he’s bringing to the band—everything is sharper, meaner, but still so calculated.
And just when you think you have a grasp on where this album is going, ‘I Wish You Were Dead’ arrives like a wrecking ball. It’s easily one of the most anthemic, wickedly catchy songs they’ve ever written, and it’s going to be a monster live. The chorus is massive, the kind that gets stuck in your head for days, and the way Cristina and Andrea trade off vocals here is flawless. But if you’re looking for pure, unrelenting chaos, ‘Hosting The Shadow’ delivers it in the most brutal way possible. With Randy Blythe of Lamb of God stepping in, this track is a beast. His voice blends seamlessly with Andrea’s, each growl hitting like a sledgehammer, while Cristina adds an almost operatic eeriness that makes the whole thing feel like some kind of ritualistic exorcism.
From there, the album takes a sharp left into ‘In Nomine Patris,’ a track that feels like it was plucked from the depths of a gothic cathedral. It’s dark, brooding, and soaked in religious imagery, with orchestral flourishes that give it an almost sacred weight. It sets the stage perfectly for ‘Sleepless Empire’, the title track that encapsulates everything this album is about. This one is classic Lacuna Coil—melodic yet heavy, introspective yet explosive. The way the chorus soars over that crushing instrumentation is pure magic, and it’s the kind of song that reminds you why this band has been at the top of their game for decades.
Then there’s ‘Sleep Paralysis,’ which is as unsettling as its title suggests. It crawls under your skin with its eerie whispers and looming riffs, creating this suffocating atmosphere that never quite lets go. But then, just as you’re lost in that haze, ‘In The Mean Time’ kicks the door down. Featuring Ash Costello of New Years Day, this one is all fire. Her voice adds this gritty, raw edge that blends perfectly with Cristina’s, making for one of the most dynamic tracks on the album. You can hear the mutual respect between them in the way their voices weave together, and it’s an undeniable highlight.
Finally, ‘Never Dawn’ closes things out, and it’s the perfect ending—epic, emotional, utterly cathartic and pure Lacuna Coil. It brings everything full circle, with one last explosion of orchestrated chaos before fading into a haunting silence. It’s a reminder that Lacuna Coil doesn’t just make albums—they create entire experiences.
Sleepless Empire is a testament to a band that refuses to stagnate. It’s dark, it’s grand, and it’s absolutely relentless. If you’ve been following Lacuna Coil’s journey, you’ll hear echoes of their past, from Comalies to Delirium, but this is something new. Something bigger. It’s a declaration that after ten albums, they’re not just still standing—they’re still evolving, still pushing, still proving why they’re one of the most formidable forces in heavy music today.
VERDICT: 4.5/5
Ethereal Metal 
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