Commemorating the day of love, LACUNA COIL releases their 11^th full-length studio album, Sleepless Empire, on February 14, 2025 via Century Media Records. It’s filled with anger and rage and is all about fucked up relationships and alienation . . . but, of course, as is the style of LACUNA COIL, it’s also about rising above and overcoming challenges. Like the dueling vocals, of Cristina Scabbia and Andrea Ferro, the band loves their dichotomies.

LACUNA COIL has been sticking with their known formula for some time now and it still works. Cristina sounds just as pristine as she ever did and Andrea just as grounded and pissed off. Musically, it’s solid Alternative Metal sans the kitsch that so many bands are peddling lately. A number of videos have been released in support of the album. I especially enjoy “In The Mean Time” for its relevant modern day message on isolation and striving to reset.   

There are two vocal guest appearances. Randy Blythe (LAMB OF GOD) on “Hosting the Shadow” and Ash Costello (NEW YEAR’S DAY) on “In The Mean Time.” Both are excellent and rank amongst the many standout tracks. Other standouts include “I Wish You Were Dead”—yep, perfect Valentine’s Day song; “In Nomine Patris” (trans: in the name of the father)—no idea what this song is about but I love it; and “Never Dawn”—just a total ripper, this one. Of course, title-track “Sleepless Empire” is a solid contender as is Doom-laden “Sleep Paralysis.”

To be honest, I haven’t dug into a LACUNA COIL album since their 2019 Dark Anima, so I have some catching up to do. Sleepless Empire is a reminder of how great a band LACUNA COIL is. Twenty-seven years and they’re still going strong. For those who want to catch them live (a highly recommended experience), they’ll be touring all over South America, the US, and Europe from March through the end of the year.