Century Media
2006
Karmacode
About This Album
Many fans of prog metal would like to believe that once upon a time, the dramatic mood and operatic self-importance that define the genre came as a natural result of the music's compositional influences, and only recently has the over-the-top tone taken priority over musical quality. Whether or not such a magical time ever really existed, Lacuna Coil hearkens back to those possibly imaginary days with their 2006 release Karmacode. The Italian sextet's songwriting and instrumentation directly reflect the original naming of metal as a separate mineral from rock & roll, with a seamless blend of classical music and modern rock. As a result, the disc seems refreshingly self-possessed. The band doesn't intentionally shy away from the stylistic qualifiers that have come to exemplify progressive metal, it just allows the theatrical elements to emerge on their own. The album's goth voice, for instance, is readily apparent without desperate or forced attempts at spooky compositions, because it shines through in truly inspired melodies that just happen to be ethereal, exotic, and chilling. Likewise, Karmacode achieves communion with its power metal roots in songs written in an epic fashion, from the bottom up rather than through lyrics about dragons and elves.
Track List (try tracks 1,5,12 and 13)

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