The tenth album by Italian gothic metal veterans Lacuna Coil sees them continuing where they left off with their previous album Black Anima, released six years earlier. Since then, the pandemic has passed, the band has released a re-recorded version of their milestone album Comalies, and they have also parted ways with guitarist Diego Cavallotti, who had been with the band since 2016. He is currently replaced by Daniele Salomone of Inverno.

While musically the band is most certainly continuing down the path of their previous release, the new album dials up the heaviness, making this arguably the heaviest album of their career. This also means that co-lead vocalist Andrea Ferro gets even more room to unleash his growls, which juxtapose Cristina Scabbia’s, creating the dynamics that have always been a defining part of the band’s sound.

Ever since taking a more modern and groove-oriented approach with their 2006 Karmacode, the band has been moving toward a more contemporary sound while maintaining the aesthetics and defining elements of their earlier gothic style. Since then, the band has near-perfectly followed the times, constantly working to keep their sound modern. They’ve done that well on more approachable records like Dark Adrenaline and on the heavier ones like the previously mentioned Black Anima.

Although the new album is additionally heavy in its approach, it is still very much a typical Lacuna Coil record. It’s mostly written and produced by the band’s bassist Marco Coti Zelati and bears all his trademarks. This means the sound is rich and layered without seeming busy. There is a tasteful layered approach to his production style, which creates a sound that is clear yet warm and simply massive. One of the tricks is the clever use of keyboards, which rarely take the spotlight but rather focus on adding to the overall atmosphere and soundscape of the record.

Also, his typical chuggy, groovy riffs are all over this album. These riffs can be effective and generally serve as the foundation for the band’s music, but over time, they’ve often become repetitive and unimaginative. Sure, they serve as a solid backbone for growls and melodic choruses, but that’s often where their effect stops. The vast majority of riffs on this album feel like they’ve been taken from just about any of the band’s records from the past 15 years or so.

The album is also characterized by less impactful melodies that, for the most part, move in very familiar and safe waters. And it’s a pity because Scabbia is generally very good at giving catchy melodies a nice twist, as seen in the past with tracks like “Nothing Stands in Our Way,” “Intoxicated,” and “Within Me.”

But overall, the band hits most of their trademarks, and it works just fine, whether on the über-catchy rocker “I Wish You Were Dead,” the massive title track, or the opener “The Siege,” which sums up the album very well.

Effectively six years in the making, the album checks all the Lacuna Coil boxes, but it never impresses. Being able to adapt to current times throughout such a long career is impressive, but underneath it all, the songwriting has always been a bearing part, and on Sleepless Empire, that crucial part is not at the level the band is capable of.

www.lacunacoil.com