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| Karmacode | 
 enlarge | Artist: Lacuna Coil
Label: Century Media
Category: Music
List Price: $15.98
Buy Used: $3.99
You Save: $11.99 (75%)
New (42) Used (31) from $3.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  130 reviews
Sales Rank: 3586
Format: Enhanced
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 8360
UPC: 727701836027
EAN: 0727701836027
ASIN: B000EHSVI2
Release Date: April 4, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: DISC ONLY - NO INSERTS INCLUDED - DISC IS IN NEAR MINT CONDITION - DISC ONLY - SHIPS IN SLIM CASE
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| Customer Reviews:
 Close but no cigar April 24, 2006
9 out of 11 found this review helpful
I have been a fan of lacuna coil since their first ep which is their best material.
This album good but sounds like lacuna coil are trying to sound mainstream.
The songs are good but some songs like the game and within me sound like (gulp) evanensence! and another problem the album missing a good track without a reason off the our truth single which should have been on this album because it sounds like old lacuna coil era unleashed memories.
For new fans of the band you love this album but for long time fans like me its a let down really and sorry for the heresy of saying they sound like evenansence im so sorry lacuna coil.
If you want to hear lacuna coil at their best check out unleashed memories or the lacuna coil ep.
Much Better Than I Expected May 3, 2006
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
Man, judging from the other reviews, longtime Lacuna Coil fans really don't seem to like Karmacode. I suppose I can understand why. I've been a fan of the band since their self-titled EP and saw them in concert supporting bands they have since overshadowed. On the one hand, I think everyone wants the band to experience the success they deserve. On the other hand, I think we tend to regard Lacuna Coil as "our band" and don't want to see them get so big they become some unrecognizable MTV entity.
A lot of things have changed since Comalies was released. Evanescence's success cast a spotlight on this kind of music, and Lacuna Coil started to garner some much deserved attention as a result. The band's videos from Comalies enjoyed heavy rotation on MTV's metalcore obsessed Headbanger's Ball. The band even secured a spot on the Ozzfest lineup. These factors were bound to play a role in the direction of Lacuna Coil's next album, and the fear was that the band would take a more accessible, nu-metal influenced route. With Karmacode, the band did exactly that.
But it works.
I was a total skeptic going in, but after a few short weeks Karmacode is fast becoming my favorite Lacuna Coil album. Yes, there are some nu-metal elements, most notably the much more prominent, Korn-style bass sound. Christina & co. don't resort to rapping, but there is a sharper vocal delivery on some tracks. It's as if they looked at the various elements of American metal and incorporated those elements that would truly enhance their music. This isn't some shameless attempt to win over American audiences, but rather an example of a band willing to grow and progress.
As much as I enjoyed Comalies, In a Reverie, and Unleashed Memories, each album had a very similar sound, and had some less than exciting moments. Karmacode is not only a step forward in terms of style, but is also the first Lacuna Coil album that stays interesting from start to finish. The album's first three tracks (including the single Our Truth, which never fails to have me turning up the volume and banging my head) hit so hard that by the time the slower-paced Devoted comes around; you need to take a deep breath. Then it's right back to heavier songs until the album's closer, a faithful and appropriate rendition of Depeche Mode's Enjoy the Silence. Throw in a video clip for Our Truth, a documentary video, and a price tag under $10, and you have an album that is a winner any way you look at it.
While I can partially understand some of the negative reaction, it's hard to reconcile that with the fact that Karmacode is so freaking good. If this album gives Lacuna Coil more mainstream success and a wider audience, then so be it. They have nothing to be ashamed of (quite the opposite) with Karmacode, and deserve whatever success they get.
 Am I going mad? April 5, 2006
8 out of 16 found this review helpful
After reading the newer reviews, my point wasn't quite made.
Key negative points:
1. There isn't one stand out song on this album.
2. Harder and heavier doesn't mean it's better.
3. Vocals seem weaker. I don't care if she can hold out a high note, there isn't much emotion.
4. Very over-produced.
5. Lyrics are very lame...
This album really isn't that spectacular. I have been following this band for years and enjoyed Unleashed Memories. But this album is Comalies with KORN DISTORTION, not exactly a newer Comalies but a progression. Andrea Ferro's vocals, again, leave us less than impressed, and Cristina still hums and ahh's her way into songs. Her vocals were more weak on the verses of "our truth." Then she barrages us with simplistic choruses. Honestly, I really think most people don't want to let themselves down and praise this album, as mediocre as it may be. Songs like "fragile" kind of make me think of some Evanescence song you'd hear on the radio. It tries to be hard and edgy with middle paced vocals and stressed words in vocal lines.That same old guitar and bass throbbing sound. Good for radio play and for younger crowds. LC have been on the radio, so I am afraid that they are a mainstream band that isn't exlusive for a few underground fans anymore. Why do you think that their singles off the last album were remixed? I know, Lacuna were around before that Amy Lee and back-up band, yeah yeah. But they have that sound now. Their songs sound as bad as that duet "Bring me to life." Sorry folks. They tried to hard to produce songs that are edgy and vibrant, songs that were catchy and memorable. In that case, they are catchy and easy to remember, but also they can be forgotten in time easily. I'm not being harsh for the sake of being harsh. This band just seems to have lost it, even though they are gaining more publicity. Cristina's voice hasn't improved that much. She can hold out a note longer it seems.
This album is too pacey. And it tries to create a mood but ends up distorting any progress it might have had. It is over-produced, but that is to be expected from a rising break-through band. I'm not let down because I expected this in the end. All I can say is.. that's a real shame.
Now, considering the negative parts, I will consider that bands need change. I wouldn't want to hear the same thing over again. But the only that has changed is the guitar distortion and bass. The keyboards are "Comalies" and the longitivity of the songs are the same. I think the majority of people that are into this new release are newer LC fans that like this modern American metal sound. Now I understand that some people are die hard LC fans and will stick to them regardless of their change, but Unleashed was a much better release. I have heard all but two songs fully but I get the idea. It's business though. I have seen them live years ago and it seems that touring in the U.S. has changed their whole attitude. It's alright though. LC aren't the only band out there. Music shouldn't be so limited. It doesn't have to be. I am afraid though, that Lacuna's time is limited. They'll be a lingering band after the success of this release and maybe a next release dies down. The media world has not a lot of time for certain trends in music. I bet Cristina is making loads of money for the band though, so financially, this is a good release.
Over Produced April 5, 2006
8 out of 13 found this review helpful
Been listening to Lacuna Coil for 5 years now and was blown away with Comalies. I thought Unleashed Memories was going to be their pinnacle album (it is that good) but my view changed when Comalies was released (even better). I guess I was hoping to be blown away again with Karmacode, however, it appears that the band has fallen into the same over produced trap that a lot of my other favorite bands have fallen into (Rush, Iron Maiden).
There are very little "clean" vocals throughout the album as they decided to throw layers of vocals over each other. I prefer Cristina's voice as it truly is, not how it is manipulated on a computer mixing station. Maybe these songs will sound better live but somehow I doubt they will considering Andrea is a terrible singer. I am suprised at how much his vocals play a role in most songs rather than focusing on Cristina. Anyone who has heard them live will know what I am talking about. He is not good.
Anyway, on the positive side, the music is great as the sound is a little different than what you hear on most U.S. radio stations. It is not enough for me to recommend this as your first Lacuna Coil purchase (stick to Comalies or Unleashed Memories) but if you own everything else, you might as well buy this too.
I only wish that Lacuna Coil would keep away from all the U.S. bands they are touring with as they are picking up the bad habits of overproducing albums. Go back to the simple days!
 Music does not have to fit into a genre to be good! February 12, 2007
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
I've noticed many reviewers have a tendency to compare Lacuna Coil - and this album in particular - to bands that represent a particular genre. My advice to you is this: don't. Don't expect this album to sound just like Evanescence, or Paradise Lost, or Korn, or any other band. Lacuna Coil is an unusual blend of elements from metal, gothic rock, pop, and probably a few other things I'm not thinking of off the top of my head. The lead singer has a pretty voice, and a decent range, but don't expect her to show it most of the time - the song is more important here than how many trills the singer can do, how fast the bassist can play, or how complicated a riff the guitarist can play. This album is loaded with hooks (usually played by the bassist), and brimming with meaning. I've seen a lot of people say they are disappointed that there aren't a lot of solos, etc. to show off the various talents of the band members. If they had paid more attention to the lyrics, they would have known why. It seems to me that this is a concept album about dealing with disease and death, and the songs seem tailored to express the feelings that go along with that. Solos would have been out of place here, as the main emotions are despair and helplessness. That said, Lacuna Coil ends the album on a more positive note, with their cover of "Enjoy the Silence", which makes it seem like Lacuna Coil are saying, "Yes, there's death, but there's also life." I can't read the band members' minds, but that's what this album says to me. It is deeply emotional, touching, and should be judged as a work of art - not by how well it fits into expectations created by genre divisions.
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