Lacuna Coil made their debut album,
In A Reverie, in 1999 (with the exception of their self-titled released EP released one year earlier). The album is probably the greatest highlight of the female/ male vocal duet bands (Tristania, Theatre Of Tragedy, Within Temptation etc.) of the doom metal genre. Back when Lacuna Coil were playing what people would call their ‘good music’, the band was definitely a full-out frontal force of doom-style guitar and bass riffs, heavier drum lines (with the occasional powerful blast beats), and brilliant vocal melodies and growls without the electronica, nu-metal, and overall mainstream clichés the band has taken up as of recently.
Circle is the first track on the album, and opens up with doomy guitar riffs that set the standards for the album. Not long after the vocals come in with Cristina and Andrea dueting (which is rather uncommon in their later albums, mainly
Comalies). The song has avery well paced flow to it and even has a guitar solo near it’s end. It is definitely a good example of a female dominated doom metal band.
Stately Lover is another doomy track with a melodic intro that shortly bursts into some catchy riffs and leads into Cristina and her haunting vocals. It is one of the more powerful tracks on the album, and it also reflects how much more well composed Lacuna Coil was as a heavy metal band back then. The next track,
Honeymoon Suite, is one of the most popular tracks off the album and is even one of the songs that got me into older Lacuna Coil. The song has a lot more male vocal dominance then female, which is uncommon with this band. The song is very dynamic, and reminds me a bit of more recent Katatonia only with female vocals.
The first punishing track on the album is
My Wings. The song begins with heavy, atmospheric riffage, ambiance, and heavy drum lines. The song is one of the bigger standout tracks on the album and shows more of Lacuna Coil’s heavier side. The track even has some vicious growls from Andrea that remind me a lot of Arch Enemy.
To Myself I Turned is another doomy track that starts off with a soft, mellow guitar intro. Cristina comes in giving the track an even flow of grace. The riffage in the chorus of the songs are very unique and have an interesting feel to them, almost mystical. Though not the most dynamic track on the album, the song contains some good moments and is worth note on this album.
Cold also starts with a dark, melodic intro and keyboard ambiance. The song then jumps into an upbeat yet still dark riff and keeps a very lively feel throughout. There is also another sweeping guitar solo in this song (much more dominate in the mix then the solo in
Circle). Yet another standout track on the album.
Reverie is another powerful, more epic feeling track. The song has solo singing from both Cristina and Andrea, which share lead parts in the song (male vocals being the better of the two for once). The song then goes into a catchy riff with a guitar solo and then back into more doomy riffs and a vocal duet. The song has a breakdown 2/3’s in which has a very dominate bass riffs before continuing to sound like a heavy love song.
Veins Of Glass bring me to think of at least half of the songs on Lacuna Coil’s
Unleashed Memories. The song has a lot of chugging in it and a sweeping guitar riff for it’s chorus. Though not a very big stand out track, the song is very solid and flows well with the rest of the album. For those who have not heard Lacuna Coil’s self-titled EP, the final track on this album,
Falling Again, is a heavier remix of the powerful ballad
Falling from the EP. The track has some very catchy and mystic ambiance and guitar riffs that flow to make a very atmospheric, dark feel. Cristina Scabbia also delivers probably the greatest vocal performance ever performed by a woman in heavy metal with this track. By far the best song on the album and probably Lacuna Coil’s best song period, ending probably their second best album (next to
Unleashed Memories).
Pros
-- Great production (on the rerelease).
-- Great vocals and musicianship.
-- Better lyrics.
-- Lacuna Coil has a more heavier, rawer sound on this album.
Cons
-- Why couldn’t Lacuna Coil stick with this and
Unleashed Memories musically?
Track Listing
1. Circle (4/5)
2. Stately Lovers (4/5)
3. Honeymoon Suite (4/5)
4. My Wings (4.5/5)
5. To Myself I Turned (4/5)
6. Cold (4.5/5)
7. Reverie (5/5)
8. Veins Of Glass (3.5/5)
9. Falling Again (5/5)
