What? Are you surprised that MER Industries is covering such a mainstream band? You’ll dare to call us not Metal anymore. As if we care. What we do care about is giving even the most commercial band a fair chance. I’m sure those of you with a love for anything Gothic will know Lacuna Coil needs no introduction and that despite my skepticism for Sleepless Empire, I’m willing to suspend my prejudices for a few hours while I analyze another album from a now ancient band.
I didn’t totally hate this surprisingly! Sure, it’s edgy and tries to feel heavier than it actually is, but I’d say that for those who enjoy their Metal with some digestible appeal, the album is fun. All the tracks work on their own and don’t really need each other to function well, which means that when the highs hit, they’re great, and when the lows come in, I also fall asleep. I’m exaggerating; I wouldn’t say there are any proper stinkers here. More like nothing will surprise you too much.
As usual, Scabbia carries Sleepless Empire back and forth. It’s really her delivery that kept me engaged in this album, especially in tracks like “I Wish You Were Dead” or “In Nomine Patris”. The guitars make their best attempt to deliver solid and dry riffs that honestly were meaner than I expected from Lacuna Coil. Still, it’s pretty normal for us, the people who live picking up brutal gems from the depths of the underground. It’s a tendency that’s been going on for quite a while in a few of these “Symphonic” bands (to simulate heaviness). So at least nothing is corny here.
why do the dudes look so ‘2000s?
You might be thinking that my usual critical paragraph isn’t needed here because I’ve already been throwing negativity crumbs all across this review. I mean, I still had fun listening to the album, but I just don’t think it has many highlights that will make me return to it anytime soon. Yet, I believe that if you love Lacuna Coil or this direct and more accessible type of Metal, then you have nothing to lose by giving Sleepless Empire a chance or two.
After weeks of just punishing and merciless extreme material, it was nice to have a small break. This is probably the closest we’ll get in MER to review Pop music, and just so you know, I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it either. I had fun, the same way I have fun eating 20 nuggets one Friday afternoon (don’t lie to me; you do worse things in your free time!). So if you adjust your expectations, I think you can have a blast too.
Label: Century Media
Release date: February 14, 2025
Website: https://lacunacoil.com/
Country: Italy
Score: It’s OK! 2.5/5.0
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