Album Review: Lacuna Coil – Sleepless Empire (Century Media Records)

Lacuna Coil, the iconic Italian gothic metal band are back, and as relevant as ever, with their brand-new album, ‘Sleepless Empire’, out on February 14th, 2025, via Century Media Records.

I’ve grown up with Lacuna Coil’s music and while I’ve dipped in and out over their extensive career, I’ve always had a healthy amount of respect for the band and what they offer the rock and metal scene. Especially because of the harmonious vocal performance that comes from co-lead vocalists Cristina Scabbia and Andrea Ferro.

However, if you told me that I would be genuinely excited to hear a new Lacuna Coil full-length in 2025, I wouldn’t have believed you. Yet, here we are, and thanks to a slew of singles that have highlighted a renewed vigour and creative spark, I approached this album with anticipation and excitement. Does it live up to expectations though?

A vibrant and explosive start, The Siege doesn’t shake things up too much but does display the continually impressive power of the vocals (harsh and clean working so well together, as always) and Lacuna Coil’s ability to be so anthemic. An aspect of the band that shouldn’t be forgotten about, although with a track like Oxygen, it’s undeniable as the chorus is great. I heard this track live back in October 2024, and it sounded great there too.

It, alongside the likes of Scarecrow, Gravity, and I Wish You Were Dead deliver powerful gothic-tinged heaviness and infectious melodies. Creative, interesting, and anthemic, what more could anyone want from this band?

How about Lamb of God’s Randy Blythe guesting on the magical Hosting the Shadow? There’s an old-school Lacuna Coil vibe here, but Randy really does help give it a stronger and meatier flavour overall. A really good song.

As is In Nomine Patris and its big gothic vibes, the title track and its raucously heavy approach, Sleep Paralysis and its heightened drama that shows off Cristina’s range in style, and In the Mean Time, which features Ash Costello of New Years Day. An inspired guest who helps modernise Lacuna Coil’s sound in a unique way, while not sounding out of place. In fact, they seem to relish the challenge and have stepped their game up impressively all over.

This is why, come the finale of the mighty Never Dawn, the album doesn’t feel like it has overstayed its welcome, nor is any boredom or fatigue setting in. Lacuna Coil have invigorated the senses, and it is all down to this great album.

Lacuna Coil – Sleepless Empire Track Listing:

1. The Siege
2. Oxygen
3. Scarecrow
4. Gravity
5. I Wish You Were Dead
6. Hosting The Shadow (feat. Randy Blythe)
7. In Nomine Patris
8. Sleepless Empire
9. Sleep Paralysis
10. In The Mean Time (feat. Ash Costello)
11. Never Dawn

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