The pre-release single “Our Truth” which is featured on the “Underworld: Evolution” soundtrack breaks the silence of the continually touring band that finds them on the road with Rob Zombie and moving up to the main stage at Ozzfest 2006.
With their previous releases the vocal stylings of Cristina Scabbia and Andrea Ferro have been a duet of sorts, but with their new release they are a more unified persona with multi-lingual sound baying out into the empty spiral. The band is known for Scabbia’s ethereal vocals, but it is Ferro that barks the first existential message into the either with the hard driving, “Fragile.” Scabbia’s vocals are infused periodically throughout the opening song; adding the ghostly flavor that has now become a hallmark for the band.
As with their previous release “Comalies” (2004) there is a spiritual theme to their music. “Karmacode” plays off of the words Karma, (the effect of a person's actions on their own existence) and code (a systematically arranged and comprehensive collection of laws) in what Ferro’ describes as “Spiritual DNA,” “Karmacode” is an exploration of finding something of substance in an ever increasingly vacuous digital age.
The ballad, “Within Me” finds Scabbia and Ferro in a conversation with one’s self to find the strength to be free in an oppressive relationship. The multi layering of voices are complimented with a solid guitar sound that can also be played acoustically; not many metal bands can pull this off as well as Lacuna Coil.
They also know how to have a little fun with the song “Closer.” Mad prop’s go out to Marco Coti Zelati for his bass chops in this funky little ditty. It’s just one of those songs that bites you on the ass and makes you shake it. The only problem with the song is that it seems too short. Just when you get into it, the song ends. I hope there is an extended live version, because there is a potential band jam with this song.
“Karmacode” is an exploration of not only the spiritual realm, but the physical. In “In Visible Light” Scabbia explores her lower vocal range within this fairy tale like song. With lyrics like, “I’m just a dice in your hands” and “I can’t deny that I’m afraid of you” you begin to understand the need to find meaning in these meaninglessly times.
“Karmacode” comes full circle with the cover of the Depeche Mode song, “Enjoy the Silence.” Lacuna Coil’s version is a musical Maserati that has low rider tendencies. It’s a much darker song and descends into the madness of a relationship with whispers and sirens in quiet moments shared between lovers. A nice ending.
Lacuna Coil has forged the fields of nephilim and has survived the trenches of touring and copy cat bands. The album, on the whole, has a tighter heaver sound. “Karmacode” is a spiritual puzzle that mandates multiple listens in order to find the ghost in the machine.
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