Event:	Lacuna Coil, Strapping Young Lad, Opeth
Written by:	Account deleted
Published:	03.10.2003

The much anticipated return of Lacuna Coil to the United States made a stop in Texas during early May 2003 in front of several hundred eager onlookers. Before reviewing the show, readers should be aware that this was a quadruple bill with Lacuna Coil sandwiched between Strapping Young Lad, Meshuggah and Opeth. The review here will only concern the set performing by Lacuna Coil since other engagements prevented me from taking in the latter two bands.

The stage at the soon to be demolished Bronco Bowl was crowded to say the least. So much so that drummer Criz Mozzati had to set up his kit in line with the rest of the band. Nervously before the set he kept one eye firmly planted on the techs who kept fiddling with the setup. At one point he even came onto the stage himself to check things out. The effect created was that the drum kit was essentially just right of center stage pushing guitarist Cristiano Migliore to the corner of the stage - basically out of the sight line of most of the crowd.

With no backdrop of their own (using Meshuggah's instead), Lacuna Coil entered the stage to the opening sounds of "Aeon". Soon the enchanting voice of Cristina Scabbia piped out the opening lines of "Swamped" as the lights were raised. She seemed to look right at me as I screamed "welcome to Texas" from my spot pressed up against the rail at stage center. The show was certainly a promotion of the most current release Comalies with all of the songs coming from the new album except for the tastefully done and Italian-sung "Senzafine" from the awesome 2001 release Unleashed Memories.

Despite the short set consisting of the first seven tracks of Comalies and the aforementioned "Senzafine" the band provided the crowd with a great deal of energy. Both Scabbia and co-vocalist Andrea Ferro were in good voice despite periodic problems with distortion through Cristina's microphone. The band rocked back and forth in unison to the very well done "Tight Rope" and another personal fave was the energetic "Self Deception". Scabbia was ever the ball of energy as she encouraged the crowd to clap along while getting plenty of head-banging in waiting for her vocal parts. Ferro was equally passionate especially while holding hand-on-heart during the emotional vocals of "Humane".

The Devin Townsend led Strapping Young Lad did their part to get the crowd in a metal mood. SYL provided nothing short of an onslaught of in-your-face aggressive metal. I felt both tired and blown back after their set. The most entertaining part of their show however was checking to make sure the 600+ pounds which make up SYL's rhythm section hadn't collapsed stage left.

Based on pre-concert discussions with early arriving fans many in the crowd came primarily for Lacuna Coil and Opeth. Near the end of the US Tour, Lacuna Coil will be headlining in the east and midwest United States. Headlining is where this band belongs - I'm still amazed that more people aren't aware of the incredible music LC has given us with these latest two releases. Needless to say, I'm hooked.

If you've stumbled upon this review just checking out what is written here - then you've got an assignment: Stop reading this. Click over to Lacuna Coil's page on Metal Storm and make a note of the discography. Go buy the discs and then continue reading on Metal Storm with Lacuna Coil playing in the background. Do it. Don't make me come hurt you.