Proof Their Past is as Strong as Their Future.
Lacuna Coil have a career that many bands would be able to identify with. Originally starting off small and finally breaking out into the world with their album 'Comalies', Century Media's biggest selling album to date, their latest release simply named 'The EPs' charts the first few years of their career which sees their first two EPs married nicely in one redesigned, remastered package. Perhaps this is one for the die hard fans, but it's also great for those who've not bought Lacuna Coil's EPs yet- for most people will agree with the statement that the sound quality on their earlier albums is not up to the polished, refined style seen on 'Comalies'.
'No Need To Explain' starts off the album with it's deliciously captivating sway. Christina Scabbia's voice, with it's quiet Italian undercurrent is hypnotic and the result is a song that sounds far more mature and able to stand against their newer work. Lacuna Coil are clearly not a band with a weak beginning- whilst they have gone from strength to strength, they started off with concrete foundations.
'The Secret' sees the coarse vocals of Andrea Ferro take a larger role than are usually allocated. It certainly makes Scabbia's voice seem more heavenly, but somehow his voice doesn't irritate in the same way it does on later work. 'The Secret' is full of the confusing yet quotable lyrics and swirling guitars that are a trademark of Lacuna Coil. 'This Is My Dream' is an interesting twist on their usual work, beginning with a showcase for the talents of bassist Marco Coti Zelati. It's a pleasantly slow moving song that sees even Andrea take his vocals down a notch to fit into the desperate feel of the song that continues into the pained 'Soul Into Hades'.
However, of the 'Lacuna Coil' ep, it's 'Falling' that stands out. Appearing on 'In A Reverie' later on in a slightly altered format, the original is still the best. It's dark, haunting and sees Scabbia put on one of her best performances on record. With a moody guitar accompaniment, it's stripped down so the lyrics shine through. Perhaps it is obvious this is a band writing in their second language, but there's still something about the quiet determination to make it through life and pull those you love through that will ring true with most who will here this song. The final offering from the first EP is 'Un Fantasma Tra Noi'. It's a restrained power that seems to be held back uneasily until it breaks neatly into the second EP 'Halflife'. Eerie and morbid, Scabbia sounds much like a siren calling for Ferro to follow in her footsteps. Leading his masculine voice on into the twisting song, it's of the same vein as 'The Siren' from Nightwish's latest album.
The instrumental 'Trance Awake' leads swiftly into 'Senzafine', written in Italian. Instantly you notice how much more graceful both vocalists sound without having to navigate around the English language. It's a smooth, sliding song that appears later on in their career on their album 'Unleashed Memories'. 'Hyperfast' is more brutal and compared to the slick Italian feel of the previous song, it's a standard song that any band could have created. Final track 'Stars' is far easier to listen to and again has a hypnotic sway about it, which is damaged somewhat by the recording. However, looking beyond that, it's a fantastic end to a collection of songs that Lacuna Coil can still be proud of.