Lacuna Coil – will release their new album ‘Sleepless Empire’ on the 14th of Feb / you can now read our review here.

If you thought 2025 was going to ease you into the year, Lacuna Coil has other plans. Sleepless Empire kicks down the door, grabs you by the collar, and drags you headfirst into an intense, cinematic journey of gothic metal excellence. The Italian heavyweights are back with their signature dual-vocal attack, courtesy of Cristina Scabbia and Andrea Ferro, and they waste no time in setting the tone. This album is a full-scale experience, a storm of emotions wrapped in thunderous instrumentals and hauntingly powerful vocals. Dropping on February 14 via Century Media Records, this album sees the band confronting the chaos of a world where digital addiction and identity erosion reign supreme. And they do it with some of their heaviest, most cinematic work to date.

From the very first second of The Siege, the album’s opening track, it’s clear that Lacuna Coil isn’t here to ease listeners in gently. This is an all-out assault—an explosion of intensity, led by the dual vocal powerhouses of Cristina Scabbia and Andrea Ferro. Cristina’s voice soars, delivering an almost operatic strength, while Andrea’s raw, guttural delivery grounds the track in aggression. It’s the kind of opener that is so good that it feels like it should be the album’s grand finale—except this band isn’t one to play by the rules. If you thought The Siege set the bar high, just wait.

The chaos continues with Oxygen, a track that feels like it belongs in the climactic battle scene of a blockbuster movie. A ghostly intro gives way to distorted, almost tortured screams, before the track crashes into a relentless drum assault. Oh, and by the way, the drums on this album? Absolutely insane. All thanks to the immensely talented Richard Meiz. If your speakers survive, consider yourself lucky. Cristina’s voice is otherworldly here, effortlessly gliding over the wall of sound like a siren pulling listeners deeper into the storm.

Then comes Scarecrow, a song that’s going to destroy live crowds in the best way possible. There’s something cinematic, almost apocalyptic about it. You can practically feel the rain pouring down in slow motion as the music pounds forward. The whole band is on fire—Cristina and Andrea trade vocals with such precision, their chemistry is hard to ignore. The guitar work is some of the best I’ve heard. It’s heavy, it’s dark, and it’s beautifully relentless.

For a moment, Gravity offers a change of pace. This track slows things down just enough to let the weight of the lyrics sink in. The song explores the struggle of keeping balance in a world that never stops spinning. “Balance is so difficult to keep as we navigate through desperate times,” the band shared about the track. “I hope you will love Gravity as much as we do and that it will help you reflect on the time we have left and how to use it wisely.” There’s an undeniable vulnerability here, but it never loses that signature Lacuna Coil edge. The slow build, the surging intensity, the immersive instrumentals—it all works together to create something really powerful.

And then there’s I Wish You Were Dead. Short, snappy, and insanely catchy, this one sticks out as an anthem for those moments of cathartic rage. Cristina shines here, taking full control of the track with an extraordinary delivery that she has come to be known for. It’s one of those songs that’s bound to convert new listeners—less brutally heavy, but still packed with attitude and an unshakable hook. I also have to admit I really enjoyed this one and have listened to it over 15 times already!

Hosting the Shadow, featuring Lamb of God’s Randy Blythe, is a full-force storm of aggression. A slow, drifting start leads into an explosion of guttural screams and relentless guitars. The chemistry between Cristina, Andrea, and Blythe is electric—this is a track that doesn’t just demand attention, it grabs you by the throat and drags you under. Then we get In Nomine Patris, a track that feels almost sacred in its intensity. Opening with a slow build before launching into a full-throttle explosion of sound, Andrea’s ferocious delivery drives the song’s sense of urgency, while Cristina’s haunting vocals create a contrast that makes it all the more powerful. The song explores themes of redemption, sacrifice, and the weight of past sins, culminating in a dramatic, almost ritualistic soundscape that will undoubtedly be a standout in their live shows.

The title track, Sleepless Empire, might be one of the most instrumentally impressive songs on this album and that’s saying something. This is one to listen to multiple times and really hear what the band is doing. The album’s entire concept comes to life in this track, with swirling, layered instrumentals that create a feeling of endless motion—like falling down a digital rabbit hole with no way out. The tension never lets up, carrying right through to Sleep Paralysis, a slow-burner that perfectly captures the creeping dread of its namesake. Cristina delivers some of her most jaw-dropping vocal moments here, reaching highs that leave you in awe. Given everything she’s been through, this is a testament to her work ethic and sheer talent.

In the Mean Time and Never Dawn serve as a double dose of introspection and intensity. In the Mean Time is a haunting, emotionally raw piece that pulls listeners into a deep, internal struggle. The whispered chants and spoken elements make for an eerie contrast to the heavier sections, where Andrea’s aggressive vocals take centre stage. Then, Never Dawn hits like a battle cry—a track built on layers of ominous atmosphere and relentless aggression. With moments that feel experimental in structure and a whirlwind of vocal shifts, it’s one of the most unpredictable songs on the album. A chilling build-up stops at the command “run!” then you’re hit with a sudden instrumental explosion, with Cristina and Andrea trading vocal punches over crushing guitars. I can already imagine the crazy scenes this track is going to create on the band’s upcoming tour.

Speaking of their live shows, following the release of Sleepless Empire, Lacuna Coil is set to embark on an extensive tour. They’ll be heading to Latin America and Mexico in March before joining Machine Head for a massive North American tour alongside In Flames and Unearth in April and May. Fans in Europe won’t have to wait long either, with festival appearances already confirmed in Italy, Estonia, Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, France, and the UK this summer. The album will be available in multiple formats, including limited deluxe CD box sets, exclusive vinyl editions in various colours, and digital formats. Special releases include a limited transparent glow-in-the-dark LP, a deep blood-red vinyl exclusive to Sony Music Entertainment Italy, and a sparkle rainbow LP, among others. With Sleepless Empire, Lacuna Coil has created something truly massive. This album is meant to be felt, not just heard. It’s heavy in EVERY.SINGLE.SENSE —sonically, emotionally, thematically. It’s going to hit hard live, it’s going to get longtime fans pumped up and create a whole new influx of new fans, and it’s proof that after all these years, Lacuna Coil isn’t just keeping up with the metal scene—they’re still pushing it forward.

Get ready. This one’s going to be huge and comes in with a 9 out of 10.

Rating: 9 out of 10.

Sleepless Empire- treacklist:
The Siege
Oxygen
Scarecrow
Gravity
I Wish You Were Dead
Hosting The Shadow feat. Randy Blythe
In Nomine Patris
Sleepless Empire
Sleep Paralysis
In The Mean Time feat. Ash Costello
Never Dawn

Sleepless Empire is now available for pre-order

Reviewer – Alan Robinson @alan_robinson_photography

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