Interview with Lacuna Coil

If you haven't heard of Lacuna coil, you will very shortly. Starting in May, Lacuna coil will be touring the US and Canada with P.O.D. and Blindside. Lacuna coil have been born and bred in Italy, a country known for romance and love. Lc sets themselves apart for is known as a Italian sound and presents themselves with a modern gothic metal that has created a yearning for their music and style here in the US. Being compared to the likes of Evanesance, Lc has been around for many more years. The Warriors want to know who is going to be on the road with their beloved P.O.D. so, Warriors..this is for you!

Cristina: We started as Lacuna coil in '96 after years of friendship and personal musical projects. We produced a promo tape with a couple of songs that we sent to some labels we were interested in. We got the reply of a lot of labels but we chose to sign for Century Media. After signing the deal we started to tour massively, all around the world. It's hard to describe our music; it's a mixture between rock, gothic and metal, with a modern touch and melodic passages. It's... Lacuna coil style!

Dennis: You guys were originally known as Ethereal and then changed your name to Lacuna coil. On your site I noticed the name Lacuna coil means "empty spiral" and the band says this is their vision on life. Could you explain that vision in your lives?

Cristina: That's not totally correct. The name we have doesn't explain our vision in life but it's just the name we found out after "Ethereal", that was the old name of the band. At that time there were other bands with this same name and we decided to create something new and original, with an ethereal feeling.
(note: the name Ethereal actually refers to something heavenly. Our question and their quote on their site is probably due to translation error.)

Dennis: Starting in May you guys will be doing P.O.D.'s first ever head line tour in the US and Canada. How did you guys get approached about joining the tour and what do you hope as an outcome for this tour?

Cristina: Their management got in contact with ours asking for our presence. We are really excited to go on tour with them, I've heard that they are very nice persons. I'm sure we'll have fun together.

Dennis: Your lyrics are very emotional and full of incredible metaphors. What has influenced the lyrics of the songs? Also, several people on the Warrior Forum (P.O.D.s site) have asked if I could get your explanation of the song "Heaven's a Lie."

Cristina: We are inspired by everyday life. We like to discuss about the doubts and personal experiences we have and had. "Heaven's a lie" is not a religious song, as a lot of people think, but it's a song that talks about the freedom of ideas. The "Heaven" we are talking about is the false conviction of some people who want to sell you their thoughts, because they think they are absolutely right.

Dennis: As I mentioned to you we are a Christian based website but we promote all forms of positive music. Many people know of the Christian views of P.O.D. and Blindside. When I mention Christianity to you what is the first thing that comes to mind, both positive and negative? Also, many of your lyrics show a lot of spirituality and we were wondering if you guys had any religious influence.

Cristina: I believe there's an energy around us, call it whatever you want, I prefer to call it power of nature. I have a very positive attitude and I think that you have to be respectful with the other persons beside any religion. I don't really like organized religion in general because too many times they are the opportunity for racism, prejudices and wars.

Dennis: A lot of discussion goes on in our site dealing with the issue of personal impact with music. Many bands out there insist on including lots of offensive language and offensive topics just to sell records and start controversy. Our stance towards teens have always been that they must weigh whether the music is a positive or negative influence in their life. What are your thoughts on the influence of music on teens?

Cristina: I feel that sometimes is too easy to point a finger on the music and the artists.

I've grown up with the music of the '70 and the '80 with songs full of bad words but I've never harmed anybody or had killing thoughts. It really depends from the attitude and fragility of the person, but in this sense even a movie, a commercial or a book can do something bad. The most important thing is to talk with the teens and let them understand what is wrong for them, without being to scared about everything.

Dennis: Many bands dislike being compared to other bands. Here is the US people are comparing you guys to Evanesance even though you guys have been around much longer as band. What are your thoughts of those comparisons? And what bands do you draw influence from?

Cristina: I have nothing against Evanescence. It's normal that people compare us to them because they are more popular, they belong to a different world. It's funny to see that it seems we've been an influence for them, as I've read in some interviews. We don't have any particular influence at the moment but I remember that in the beginning of our career Paradise Lost and Type o Negative had been strong ones on us.

Dennis: A lot of Americans have had the opportunity to see Lacuna coil perform live when you were on tour last year with Type O' Negative, Anthrax and then another tour with Opeth. What can people expect to hear and see with your live performance?Cristina: A lot of fun and a lot of energy on stage. We are really compact because we are true friends, not session men that go on tour together. We really care about each other in the everyday life.

Dennis: I have to ask this because a few guys on the P.O.D. forum and the Blindside forum want to know. I personally am married so this is not for my benefit. The guys want to know if you are single? haha
Cristina: No, I'm not. I'm engaged with the bass player, Marco. Sorry!
(haha, sorry JohnnyP.O.D.freak)

Dennis: Cristina, thank you again from taking time while you are at home in Italy. I leave this area for you to post basically anything you want for final thoughts. Tell us why soccer is better than football or what your favorite American food is. Whatever you want to write here, just write what you want. hahaha

Cristina: Uhm... I prefer Italian food even if the meat you have over there is spectacular!

I like better soccer than football and my team, A.C. Milan is winning the championship, and that makes me really happy! Beside jokes, thanks a lot for the support, hope you'll like our show. Don't have prejudices for anybody and have fun. Keep in touch with us on www.lacunacoil.it !!!