Italian Gothic Metallers LACUNA COIL strike back with their sixth effort "Dark Adrenaline". Putting aside the faithful fans to the rest of the Metal world this band is mostly known because of their beautiful singer Cristina Scabbia. Anyhow after the softer and experimental "Shallow Life" there was much consideration whether the band would soften their sound or do something different and heavier. Indeed "Dark Adrenaline" is way too different!

"Trip the Darkness" is the opener of this record, a song that was used as the records first single. Heavy guitars pave the way for Andrea Ferro's vocals to give a dark and raging tone to the song, while Christina's ethereal voice contradicts its heaviness. "Against You" has even heavier guitars and riffs and it's as good as the opener. On "Kill the Light" tempo goes down but LACUNA COIL delivers another great song. Electronic sounds and effects open the next song, "Give Me Something More", which has a touch of pop on it but still it's equally enjoyable. Heavy guitars in the introduction of "Upside Down" reminds of bands like LINKIN PARK (just in terms of effects though, so don't get enraged) followed by a cool arpeggio and Ferro again taking the vocal duties in the verse. Christina takes lead on chorus and delivers great vocal lines. It is definitely one of the best songs of the album. "End of time" goes on a slower tempo and softens the mood of the album.

"I Don't Believe In Tomorrow" brings back the dark mood of the album and seven songs are counted so far and after that comes my personal favorite from this album, "Intoxicated".  Detuned sounds in the beginning followed by another set of heavy riffs and amazing vocal lines by Christina in the chorus. "The Army Inside" probably is one of the weakest songs of the album, if any. It follows the same heavy direction as the rest of the album but it is not as promising as the rest. Tenth song in "Dark Adrenaline" and LACUNA COIL cover the famous R.E.M. song "Losing My Religion". Instead of making a direct copy of the original they try to infuse their own personality on it. Weird enough after the middle of the song where Christina sings the verse in higher octave the song becomes much more interesting and enjoyable than the first part. After a lot of listening I have to admit that while in the beginning I didn't like it, it has started to build on me and eventually like it. Anyway, it is a bold move to cover such a song. "Fire" tends more into alternative metal with uplifting chorus and leads to the twelfth song and closer of the record, "My Spirit" a mellow and slow tempo song.

"Dark Adrenaline" is a record where darkness, anger and eventually hope dwells. The band has provided a solid record, which embodies all those things that LACUNA COIL is and their fans want to be. It is a glorious return to their prime sound. The band has put a lot of effort into the compositions and the vocal lines. It is remarkable that Andrea Ferro is having much more active role in the record and his performance is a plus to the ending result. Apart from the hard work of the band in terms of song writing and composing, producer Don Gilmore significantly was another valuable asset to the whole effort. The production of the record is almighty and shining and helps the band get the maximum out of their songs. "Dark Adrenaline" is one of the best efforts of LACUNA COIL and it is really worth our attention.