Review by Jeger on January 18, 2025.

What can I say about Lacuna Coil? Not much, never been a follower and I'm only really familiar with 2006's Karmacode. I do know that LC is a polarizing band. Their reviews are all over the place, and what kind of metal do they even play? Is it even metal? Partially, with a bit of goth stuff going on as well and some epic, almost symphonic elements that make for quite the cinematic experience. Christina Scabbia is a genuine talent. The band is most certainly in her orbit as she does her thing and what a popish way of doing things. Not my bag really, but it's not often that you get a promo for the new Lacuna Coil album in your inbox, so let's get into it…

Every one of Lacuna Coil's records has been created with the idea of tracking into sound a particular life era: epic and cinematic yet classy compared to the work of similar artists like Oceans of Slumber. Less is more and from what I'm hearing right now, I can say that Sleepless Empire (release date: 02/14/2025) will more than likely go down as one of Christina's finest accomplishments. Such a wide spectrum of talent and so much range. Some people like myself could argue all day as to what kind of an impact bands like Lacuna Coil are having on metal. Is this even fucking metal at all? It's metal enough for one to feel confident in labeling it alternative metal, which isn't real metal at all in my opinion, but I digress… All those familiar Matrix type parts and of course it sounds like it was engineered in a space ship: towering rhythms and cavernous guitar riffs redolent to Septicflesh offset by some succulent melodic choruses in nicely-balanced tracks like "Scarecrow" that hit at nut level one moment and skyward the next. And then we have "Gravity" with its ghastly nu-metal-tainted verses and drab melodies. They can't all be winners as they say…

Lamb of God's Randy Blythe contributes to "Hosting The Shadow" - an early to mid '00's sounding cut that features Randy in his most vanilla state. A snoozer! Until about 2/3 in when some earth-panzering riffs ensue. Christina and Randy sound great during the track's harmonious parts, but overall just not much to grasp on to here. When metal like this isn't at least catchy in some way then it's just masturbation, and quite frankly, music I dread listening to. Don't shoot the messenger…

Sleepless Empire is one of those albums where it just feels like everything is displaced, particularly during "In Nomine Patris". Such dynamic contributions on all phases but missing the sweet spot by a mile for whatever reason. Like a play that you agreed to go to with your girlfriend is Sleepless Empire - just thinking about how sweet some black metal will sound after this and football at this point. Lost me, don't wanna be found, just want it to be over. Really cool effects and high tech like the new Gladiator movie, but all over the place at the same time. I would definitely soundtrack my life in a much better way if I were given the means. A little redemption coming by way of the closing track, "Never Dawn". Nicely segmented, rhythm and melody in tight orbit along with memorable passages that assuredly will call you back for another listen.

Lacuna Coil must be doing something right. They're fucking huge and I can see why. Albums like Sleepless Empire can be appealing to so many different audiences. We all love to be entertained, and if I said that this record isn't at the very least somewhat entertaining, I'd be lying, but damn is it boring as well. I can imagine soccer moms listening to it in their minivans, teen queens strapping up their brand new Hot Topic gear, but no one whose affinity is for spikes and bullet belts will touch this thing. You go in unbiased. You have to, because at the end of the day, the reviewer's personal opinion doesn't mean shit, but Sleepless Empire is just a very mediocre album that screams for more IMAGINATION! Not more and more Avatar-sucking cinematic sequences. Epic! Yet somehow dull as my pocket knife. You could miss this one and feel okay about it.

Rating: 6 out of 10

Review by criscool623 on January 3, 2022.

Every once in a while I like to listen to some good death metal. Despite not being my favourite genre, I absolutely have my favourite albums, and that curiosity for listening to some good death metal brought me to this release. I'm very glad for having had the opportunity to listen to it as it had already been kind of a long time since the last time I didn't listen to something with this sound and style and let me explain myself.

Here, in Mexico, when we say a band is very "pig", we mean that a band has a pretty thick, heavy and kind of dirty sound, kind of what is listened to in goregrind and grindcore bands (like the first two Carcass releases), and this is the word that comes to my mind when I listen to this album. Its putrid, marshy and filthy sound and style is actually pretty catchy, kind of addictive and can be a delight for those who seek a dirty sound like this. The album has no mayor pretentious but to sound like this and sound as dirty as possible; in that sense, is an honest release that knows what it is, and it is a pleasure to be able to listen to something with that honesty.

Of course, the album is pretty basic and, for that, it doesn't stand out very much. The low-tuned tremolo-picking-based riffs, repetitive (but catchy) rhythms and the monotony of the songs are made for the kind of public that listen to and enjoy that, rather than for those who seek a complex and elaborated musical proposal. Yes, it is fun to listen to, but no more than that. You can even put it as background music while being with friends, or even when you are doing your household chores, but don't seek a great proposal or something that you can enjoy with patience, seeking a very profound work of art.

I have no more to say and I don't want to sound repetitive. Listen to it if you just want some good, "pig" death metal, but just that. Don't expect a marvellous oeuvre, cause you'll end up frustrated, disappointed and I'm going to pick on you for expecting such a thing like that from an album with such a bizarre (and ridiculous) cover art like that of this album.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Review by Faithless on January 3, 2022.

“This album is dedicated to the spirit of REAL death metal and horror the way it was always meant to be”

Revolting is a Swedish death metal band and one of the many projects from the prolific musician Rogga Johansson. No kidding, just go to Rogga’s profile in the metal archives and you will find out what I mean. Dreadful Pleasures is the day view full length released back in 2009 and I have to say that this album surprised me big time.

Being one of the countless Rogga’s projects, my expectations were not very high at the beginning but to my surprise; this record kicks serious ass. The music is a homage to all things death metal and every track is loaded with nods to different variants of the subgenre. For instance, you can find traditional Swedish death metal in the vein of Dismember and Entombed with the buzzsaw guitar tone ('Tenafly Viper', 'Overtaken By The Crawling', 'Terror Has No Shape', and 'Moonshine Mutation'). You can also find songs that lean towards a groovier side of death metal ('They’re Not Human') and some other tracks that incorporate slow tempo chugs and quasi-death-doom passages ('Dreadful Pleasures'). Thus, it can be said that Revolting’s debut blends a variety of death metal styles in a brutal, honest, and fun way.

The execution is simple, effective, and at the same time, the energy transmitted by the band makes you bang your head constantly. Regardless of the predictable song structure, the album is so dynamic that at the end it just flies and when you realize it’s the last song. So, this record permits multiple spins without getting tired or bored. The music is honest with no bullshit or compromises. I believe that’s the reason why Revolting has released solid albums consistently since their day-view.

All in all, I had a blast listening to Dreadful Pleasures; pure death metal fun with no compromise. This is not just another Rogga side-project in the Rogga verse, I think it is one of the more if not the most consistent (apart from Paganizer) Johansson project. The music is fast, aggressive, and checks all the boxes for a good quality death metal band.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Review by criscool623 on January 3, 2022.

Every once in a while I like to listen to some good death metal. Despite not being my favourite genre, I absolutely have my favourite albums, and that curiosity for listening to some good death metal brought me to this release. I'm very glad for having had the opportunity to listen to it as it had already been kind of a long time since the last time I didn't listen to something with this sound and style and let me explain myself.

Here, in Mexico, when we say a band is very "pig", we mean that a band has a pretty thick, heavy and kind of dirty sound, kind of what is listened to in goregrind and grindcore bands (like the first two Carcass releases), and this is the word that comes to my mind when I listen to this album. Its putrid, marshy and filthy sound and style is actually pretty catchy, kind of addictive and can be a delight for those who seek a dirty sound like this. The album has no mayor pretentious but to sound like this and sound as dirty as possible; in that sense, is an honest release that knows what it is, and it is a pleasure to be able to listen to something with that honesty.

Of course, the album is pretty basic and, for that, it doesn't stand out very much. The low-tuned tremolo-picking-based riffs, repetitive (but catchy) rhythms and the monotony of the songs are made for the kind of public that listen to and enjoy that, rather than for those who seek a complex and elaborated musical proposal. Yes, it is fun to listen to, but no more than that. You can even put it as background music while being with friends, or even when you are doing your household chores, but don't seek a great proposal or something that you can enjoy with patience, seeking a very profound work of art.

I have no more to say and I don't want to sound repetitive. Listen to it if you just want some good, "pig" death metal, but just that. Don't expect a marvellous oeuvre, cause you'll end up frustrated, disappointed and I'm going to pick on you for expecting such a thing like that from an album with such a bizarre (and ridiculous) cover art like that of this album.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Review by Faithless on January 3, 2022.

“This album is dedicated to the spirit of REAL death metal and horror the way it was always meant to be”

Revolting is a Swedish death metal band and one of the many projects from the prolific musician Rogga Johansson. No kidding, just go to Rogga’s profile in the metal archives and you will find out what I mean. Dreadful Pleasures is the day view full length released back in 2009 and I have to say that this album surprised me big time.

Being one of the countless Rogga’s projects, my expectations were not very high at the beginning but to my surprise; this record kicks serious ass. The music is a homage to all things death metal and every track is loaded with nods to different variants of the subgenre. For instance, you can find traditional Swedish death metal in the vein of Dismember and Entombed with the buzzsaw guitar tone ('Tenafly Viper', 'Overtaken By The Crawling', 'Terror Has No Shape', and 'Moonshine Mutation'). You can also find songs that lean towards a groovier side of death metal ('They’re Not Human') and some other tracks that incorporate slow tempo chugs and quasi-death-doom passages ('Dreadful Pleasures'). Thus, it can be said that Revolting’s debut blends a variety of death metal styles in a brutal, honest, and fun way.

The execution is simple, effective, and at the same time, the energy transmitted by the band makes you bang your head constantly. Regardless of the predictable song structure, the album is so dynamic that at the end it just flies and when you realize it’s the last song. So, this record permits multiple spins without getting tired or bored. The music is honest with no bullshit or compromises. I believe that’s the reason why Revolting has released solid albums consistently since their day-view.

All in all, I had a blast listening to Dreadful Pleasures; pure death metal fun with no compromise. This is not just another Rogga side-project in the Rogga verse, I think it is one of the more if not the most consistent (apart from Paganizer) Johansson project. The music is fast, aggressive, and checks all the boxes for a good quality death metal band.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10