Apart from a solitary appearance at Download in 2022, it has been five years since Lacuna Coil, Milan’s finest Heavy Metal export, have graced the UK with their presence. It has also been that long since the fine Black Anima was released. So, with the cycle now back in motion and the forthcoming Sleepless Empire due in early 2025, it has been unsurprising that this much-loved band has been packing out venues on this short run across the country.
Lacuna Coil
O2 Academy Bristol – 26 October 2024
Words And Photography: Paul Hutchings
The final show of their six shows on these shores sees the band in the 1600-capacity Academy venue in Bristol. It may not be as uncomfortably full as other shows I have seen here, but there is still not enough room to swing a small feline. Hopefully, this is more about a slight adjustment to the number of tickets sold rather than fewer tickets sold, for this is an evening of high quality that deserves a full house.
As the house lights dim, there is a high level of excitement in the venue. The throbbing intro sees the big screen behind the drums flick into life, showing an eclipse that slowly builds as drummer Richard Meiz arrives.
Meiz conducts the crowd with a series of controlled roars before hitting the cymbals that mark the entrance of founder member Marco Coi Zelati (bass) and new guitarist Daniele Salmone. There are cheers for these two as they launch into Blood, Tears, Dust, but the real roars are reserved for the arrival of the band’s twin vocalists, Andrea Ferro and Cristina Scabbia. 
What follows is a masterclass in Heavy Metal. Aided by a strong, crisp light show, clever screen animation, and a well-paced setlist, Lacuna Coil are imperious.
Five years ago, they played across the city at SWX and were reliant on far too many programmed elements. The result was a show that was rather flat. Tonight, it is the exact opposite, and whilst there is plenty of clever segments weaved into the set, the focus is definitely on the five members of the band. 
Salmone has fitted into the band perfectly, his sinister hooded figure adding that element of gothic mystery and drama that the band has always brought. It is almost musical in style, with Coti Zelati wearing his customary evil clown face paint.
The band are once more clad in uniform. This time it is a boiler suit style with their new imagery and band logos. It works well, fitting into the overall show. But any imagery needs the songs, and the Italians have ample bangers to fill a 90-minute set.
The stomp of Reckless, the emotion of Our Truth and Heaven’s A Lie power audience participation to the max, whilst new tracks Oxygen and the visceral Hosting The Shadow (sadly sans LOG’s Randy Blythe) bring a new heaviness to their sound.
Of course, all eyes inevitably focus on Scabbia. Alongside Ferro, the duo utilises the platform at the front of the stage with expertise. They cajole, smile and scowl at the front rows. Vocally, the contrast could not be greater.
Ferro’s rasping guttural roars are fearsome, whilst Scabbia’s soaring delivery hasn’t ever sounded better. She hits the high notes on opener Blood, Tears, Dust with such ease that I stopped to check that she was singing. Oh yes, the lady was and did not miss a note for the rest of the enthralling set.
It is evident that Lacuna Coil’s break and line-up change has revitalised them, for this was a show where the band were not only incredibly tight, but they were evidently enjoying being back on the road. Scabbia’s enthusiasm has never waned, as her between-song chat confirmed.
Looking across the audience, it is evident that the band are also pulling in new followers all the time. There are fans on the front row who were not born when the band released their first album in 1999, whilst behind them stand those who have been there since the beginning. 
They may never be able to drop Depeche Mode’s Enjoy The Silence from the set, but as the entire venue joined in, to the extent that the band could stop and listen. You would be a fool to even suggest it. It is as much a part of Lacuna Coil as the packed encore, which sees a glorious Swamped and the anthemic Nothing Stands In Our Way close out the evening.
This was a majestic reminder that 30 years into their journey, Lacuna Coil are a true heavyweight in the Heavy Metal world.
