By: Sean R. Grogan



Italy's Lacuna Coil pounced to the forefront of the Goth metal scene at 2004's Ozzfest. By blending the sexy vocals of Cristina Scabbia with the gritty voice of Andrea Ferro, this band has shattered ears and hearts around the world with their melodic, but brutal, sound. At a time when cookie-cutter garage rock and second-rate hip-hop dominates the airwaves, Karmacode unleashes a rush of metal hailing straight from Hell.

Songs like "Fragile" are anything but. In fact, it's hard not to thrash along to Marco Biazzi's raging guitar as he wails over Scabbia's classical harmonies. On "Within Me," Scabbia's voice soars. As it rises gently, it pairs with a backing musical serenade, and lures the listener into its dark symphony.

Every track on Karmacode opens a new door to the netherworld, and bridges the gap between the oft-feuding hardcore and the Goth scenes. Perhaps crossing that line isn't always so bad, just as long as the women are as badass as Scabbia.