Main menu
Fretplay home Submit tabs

Lacuna Coil
Lacuna Coil tabs Lacuna Coil discography

Channels
Guitar channel Bass channel Guitar videos Reviews

Message Forum
Guitar forum Bass forum Bands and artists Promote your band Recent discussions All categories

Fretplay.com

Lacuna Coil guitar tabs

CD reviews

Comalies

Lacuna Coil - Comalies Audio CD

A fair review of the Lacuna Coil "Comalies" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Lacuna Coil reviews here, or go back to the Lacuna Coil tabs.

Band: Lacuna Coil
Title: Comalies
Rating:

Release Date: 2004-06-22
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Swamped 2: Heaven's A Lie 3: Daylight Daughter 4: Humane 5: Self Deception 6: Aeon 7: Tight Rope 8: Ghost Woman & The Hunter 9: Unspoken 10: Entwined 11: Prophet Said 12: Angel's Punishment 13: Heaven's A Lie 14: Swamped 15: Heaven's A Lie (Studio Acoustic Version) 16: Swamped (Studio Acoustic Version) 17: Senzafine (Studio Acoustic Version) 18: Unspoken (Studio Acoustic Version) 19: Heaven's A Lie (Acoustic Live Version) 20: Senzafine (Acoustic Live Recording) 21: Aeon (Acoustic Live Recording) 22: Heaven's A Lie (Video) 23: Swamped (Video) 24: Dektop Themes

Here it is
It's not that it's bad music by ANY stretch, it's simply not as experimental as their last several discs. I have to say, Comalies by itself is not worthy of a 5 star review. All the songs, incidentally, are very close in tempo. . . although the feel of songs change.

That being said, the original Comalies has some wonderful offerings, such as the first 4 tracks, The Prophet Said, etc. But the real magic in this set is in the second CD.

First off, I got this in the US domestically for the price of a normal CD. Don't let this price fool you as the only way to get this set. Secondly, I'm beginning to believe that Lacuna Coil's signature sound should not have been the stuff you hear on the radio. I think it should have been the acoustic sound you hear on the last 7 tracks of the second CD. The 12 string guitars combined with the mellowness of Cristina's voice (which at long last doesn't sound forced due to softer music), and the true range of Andrea Ferro's voice, which is nice and low, instead of the higher pitched stuff he usually "pulls off", make these songs which fans will already know a whole new experience. I actually heard the acoustic version of Senzafine before the hard version, and between the two I'll take the acoustic most days. This is where they actually shine brightest; where they never meant to. Aeon, by the way, should never have been electric based on what I heard of the radio acoustic version.

Incidentally, the videos run kind of funny, which might be only me and my friend's computers, but they're very well made, with some awesome effects and scenery. I haven't found the desktop themes. . . I'll have to look through that later. Buy and enjoy, folks. And stop comparing them to or with Evanescence. . . dark lyrics and a female voice doesn't make two bands alike.

Lacuna Coil : "Comalies IMPORT VERSION"
They don't like staying true to one sound, and on "Comalies", they've outdone themselves. ***** - FIVE STARS

Lacuna Coil does something no other Goth Metal band has the balls to do, experiment. This is one outstanding release. I can't find one negative thing to say about "Comalies". . . .

I would however have to say that "Unleashed Memories" has a harder edge than "Comalies", and is still my favortie Lacuna Coil release. Everything they've relased is excellent though, they're just one of those bands that can do no wrong. . . .

What you get with the "Imported Version", is some really cool accustic versions off of "Comalies", and it's a wonderful change of pace when you get tired of the studio version. There are also a couple of demo/sudio version songs from "Comalies" which are incredible in their raw, uncut stages. Wonderful. . . .

If you're new to Lacuna Coil, I'd highly recommend purchacing this, the "Imported Version" of "Comalies" over the regular version. It's alittle more costly, but you've got more songs too. Well worth the extra cash if you ask me. . . .

If you enjoy "Comalies", pick up everything Lacuna Coil has released. They are truly an amazing band!!!!!!!

LACUNA LEGIONS FOREVER!!!!

.

A good introduction into the goth-metal scene

This is what happens when bands get popular, I'm sorry to say. Lacuna Coil's 3rd and best-selling album, 2002's Comalies, refines the bands sound from the previous release Unleashed Memories, adds heavier riffs with more accessible choruses, deletes the use of guitar solos, and has spawned two successful radio singles. The music changes for the worse. As I said, the absence of guitar solos is a big no-no, and causes some of the songs to sound bland. Cristina's vocals are still there, but do not capture the same effect as the previous album, which was significantly better in terms of instrumentalism and songwriting as well. The bass is easily obscured, and the drumming is slow and boring. Any of the progressive elements of the last two records have been thrown out, and the music has become rather predictable. There you have it, the negative.

Now on to the positive. The album does provide a change from the previous material. Not necessarily a good change, as I (and probably others who enjoyed Unleashed Memories and In A Reverie) may have grown accustomed to their old signature sound, but a change nonetheless. I must also mention the improvement of male vocalist Andrea Ferro, who, yes, is still annoying, but still sounds a hell of a lot better. Most importantly however, I find the album's accessability suitable to those who are unfamiliar with the gothic metal scene, but want to learn the basics before they progress into bigger and better things.

Now, am I saying Comalies is bad? No. Three stars is not bad in my book (actually my original review of this album was a full 5-star). Hell, this band rocked the stage at Ozzfest (they are much better live than on disc). All I am implying is that there are other lesser-known bands that have been around longer and have done better musically. I personally prefer the intricacy and beauty of After Forever and Within Temptation, the orchestral accompaniment and progression of Lacrimosa, and the experimentation of the Gathering and Nightwish. This is an opinion from someone who has familiarized himself with a numerous amount of gothic metal bands (it's my favorite genre if you didn't know) and whose tastes have evolved dramatically over the years.

So, as I said, this is a good start into the gothic metal genre. If you were to get one Lacuna Coil album though, I would highly recommend Unleashed Memories over this, as it reaches emotions not capable on Comalies (this is no exaggeration).

However, no CD has moved me quite like Within Temptation's (dare I say) perfect Mother Earth, and probably never will. .

My favorite album ever!
When I got my stuff signed, I almost had a heart attack. John, if you haven't gotten the album, why review it?
Back to the album, IT F***ING ROCKS SO F***ING HARD!! This is my favorite CD EVER!!!!! Also, I saw an acoustic show last week, and they were signing autographs. I also got to shack each members' hand. When I shook Cristina's hand, I thoguht to myself "I'm NEVER washing this hand again!" Anyone who writes a negative review for ANY of their albums should have their ba||s torn off and be force-fed them. This album MUST be in your collection. Well, WTF are you waiting for? Quit reading the review and buy it!!!!!.

Never came
I waited 3 weeks, and it never came. I ordered this one from a seller @ Amazon Marketplace that was supposed to ship within 2 days.

I should've ordered directly from Amazon.

You can see a complete list of all Lacuna Coil discography, or go back to the Lacuna Coil tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.