Live Review

Lacuna Coil – Masque, Liverpool

• 21st Aug 2009

The masque tonight is literally and figuratively being torn apart. A re-fit currently underway means that several sections are under construction with entire rooms shrouded awaiting the transformation at the end of the month; it is also being torn asunder by tonight’s band-Lacuna coil.

Before they take the stage however the band, viewed by the crowd as being ‘In the way’ between them and Lacuna is Serenity. Every song is greeted with applause, not because of the audiences appreciation, but because it brings them one step closer to the coil.

It’s a shame as Serenity have some quality songs and although they make constant references to being the band before Lacuna coil they carve out a place with a Kill switch engage cover, and show an aptitude for hardcore with the set highlight ‘Monarchy’, with its refrain of “The king is dead-long live the king” having the potential to turn into a classic.

Previously the Wacken festival then the forum in London, Lacuna coil are playing only several dates in the UK- Liverpool being the smallest.

Although the set remains, the approach is compleletly tailored to a small crowd opening with ‘Survive’ the stance is obvious: the crowd is going to get Lacuna coil up close-and they expect a response.

With the new album ‘Shallow life’ there is more of a melodic feel than previous excursions, with an emphasis on lyrical delivery-tonight that rings true as the fans at the back, perhaps disenchanted with the new material being in their eyes not as aggressive as their older songs, soon thaw and warm to the newer songs as they fit completely into Lacuna’s sound and develop with a very natural evolution ‘I’m not afraid’ capturing Lacuna’s constant forward looking approach perfectly.

It’s a complete performance tonight and at times through the professional, finished delivery of the songs there’s several snapshots of the band really enjoying themselves, those close enough see Andrea Ferro & Cristina Scabbia exchange smiles and nods that tonight is going well, and that yes, they can still play the small rooms as well as the large venues.

When Guitarist Maus leans closer to the fans entrenched by the side of the stage to give them a full view of a solo it means being out of sight of the main crowd and slightly uncomfortable as he’s twisting to allow the photos to be taken; it’s tremendous testament to Lacuna wanting to bring the crowd into their world.

Even though it’s expected ‘Swamped’ is placed midway through the set and when they flawlessly move into the opening riff the entire band pull the whole crowd in, it’s simply that good it’s impossible not to be impressed, not just because it’s so close to the recording but because it translates so well to a live environment.

Cristina has no need to control the crowd or illicit responses as they are completely behind the band tonight from the beginning. Unprompted hands are raised, clapping along without any provocation-‘Heavens a lie’ generating everything it deserves and becoming one of the sets many memorable renditions.

Lacuna are very aware of where ‘Enjoy the silence’ originated and there’s just the briefest of introductions before the guitars usher their version of the classic tune in, and the audience falls completely for the song all over again.

There is no pressure for Lacuna coil to leave, their next gig is well within travelling distance, they have no reason to rush- it’s a nice endorsement to how much they are enjoying tonight’s gig then, that rather than go off stage in a clichéd manner Andrea informs the fans that they will dispense with this and run straight into the last songs, clearly riding the wave of enjoyment and understanding how whipped up they have the crowd they play ‘Not enough’.

Currently one of the new songs receiving the most interest ‘Spellbound’ and the slightly older Karamacode tune ‘Our truth’ are the perfect set closers as they show where Lacuna want to be-and in many ways-are musically, but also act as a lyrical signpost to what they have achieved, earned and worked for: the music speaking for them, under their own terms; and tonight a hundred or so people get that rarest of things-a band playing an intimate venue and enjoying it as much as the fans.

It would seem completely fitting for them to close, thank people and leave, but Andrea pulls a Liverpool FC scarf emblazoned with ‘You’ll never walk alone’ out and holds it aloft, clearly aware of its significance within the city it completes tonight beautifully, leaving the fans with a genuine connection and more than a few songs to remember.