Honestly, Lacuna Coil have so many fans already that they don’t need me. Like most of the heavy metal community I first stumbled across Lacuna Coil when their 2002 breakthrough album Comalies exploded onto the scene. I’ve followed along since and have been impressed, seen them live a few times, and written about subsequent releases. I even reviewed their last in just my second edition of “Untitled Metal Column” back in 2014 (Read it here) but nothing has grabbed me quite like their latest which might very well be one of my favorite heavy records of 2016.

I was blown away, BLOWN AWAY, when “The House Of Shame” screamed to life in my headphones upon first listen through Delerium, the latest, greatest, and eightest from Lacuna Coil. They’re one of those bands that I honestly forget have this unparalleled heaviness to them. The sonic, downtuned barrage that greets listeners paired with co-vocalist Andrea Ferro’s unbridled roar is something that will stick with fans for quite some time. If Korn’s overpriced Untouchables had been fully realized it might sound like this gothic masterpiece.

Ferro leads the charge once again on the intro and anthemic chorus of “Broken Things” which gives way to the gorgeous Cristina Scabbia verses and Middle Eastern-inspired vocal melodies which provide a much needed respite to the headbanging delight found throughout. While the title track might be Lacuna Coil-by-numbers, it certainly serves as a break until Ferro’s almost Cavalera-like ferocity on “Blood, Tears, Dust” lays waste to fan expectations of Delerium.

But the fun doesn’t stop there!

“Downfall” is the first mid-tempo jam found on LC’s eighth and showcases the range of Scabbia to its fullest while “You Love Me ‘Cause I Hate You” echoes that sentiment with low end purpose courtesy of Marco Coti Zelati. For the heavy aficionados, “Take Me Home” might open with a singsong chant but easily devolves into some classic nu-metal rage. Elsewhere, “Ghost In The Midst” absolutely shreds while closer “Ultima Ratio” capitalizes on the gothic soundscapes with synths driving the fury underneath and Scabbia and Ferro trading off verses.

Delerium is out on May 27th via Century Media. Buy yours NOW here.