Italy: Lacuna Coil (Metal)

Location: Milan, Italy (1996 – present);

Genres: Gothic Metal/Rock (early) / Alternative Rock (later)

Current line-up: Marco Coti Zelati (bass, keyboards); Cristiano Mozzati (drums); Marco Biazzi (guitars); Cristiano Migliore (guitars); Andrea Ferro (vocals); Cristina Scabbia (lead vocals);

The band formed as Sleep of Right in 1994 and recorded a song called "Bleeding Souls" for the Noise of Bolgia compilation in 1995, but soon changed their name to Ethereal.

1996

• A two–songs demotape under the name “Ethereal” is recorded and sent to several labels across the Europe.
• After reviewing the offers that came in, an international deal is signed with independent label Century Media Records.
• The name of the band changes into Lacuna Coil because the name Etheral has already been taken. Lacuna Coil is a mix of Italian and English words and can be translated as “Empty Spiral”.

1997

• The debut self-titled EP is recorded at the Woodhouse Studio in Hagen (Germany) whith producer Waldemar Sorychta.
• The first live experience begins supporting Moonspell on a European Tour.

Falling from Lacuna Coil (1998)

1998

• Long time friends Cristiano “Chris” Migliore and Cristiano “Criz” Mozzati are recruited to join the band respectively on guitar rand drums.
• The self-titled EP is released.
• Lacuna Coil open for Moonspell at the Coliseum in Lisbon (Portugal) in front of 4000 people.
• Their second European Tour, this time with The Gathering and Seigmen. Chris is injured shortly before departure and cannot make it, Steve Minelli (Node) takes His duty on guitar for the tour.
• Keyboardist Alice Chiarelli joins the band for a few months.
• On their first summer festival experience, Lacuna Coil open the mainstage at The “Wacken Open Air” in Germany. One of the highlights is their first signing session.
• The almost complete band – Andrea, Marco, Cristina, Chris, Criz – come together to record their frist full-length álbum at the Woodhouse Studios, with Waldemar – In A Raverie is born.

Falling Again from In A Reverie (1999)

1999

• Marco “Maus” Biazzi joins the bando n second guitar. Now the line-up is finally complete.

2000

• They entered the “Damagen Inc.” Stuios in Ventimiglia (Italy) with Waldemar Sorychta to record a new EP – Halflife.
• Their first headlining tour across Europe: 13 gigs including UK and Ireland.
• In October, they entered “Woodhouse Studio” with Sorychta to record the second album – Unleashed Memories.

Senzafine from Unleashed Memories (2001)

2001

• Their second full-length album - Unleashed Memories – is released.
• Then, the “Metal Odyssy Tour 2001” featuring Dimmu Borgir, In Flames, Nevermore and opener Susperia is their biggest tour at the time, with a lot fo sold out shows.
• First tour in the U.S. with their Portuguese friends Moonspell.

2002

• After a few months of hard work in the practice room, they’re ready to start the pré-production with Waldemar, in Milan (Italy).
• In April, they are already located in Dortmund (Germany), starting the recordings of Comalies at the Woodhouse Studio.
• In September: European release for Comalies. They get lots of cover stories from magazines, including Terrorizer in U.K., Rock Hard in Germany and Metal Hammer in Greece.

Swamped from Comalies (2002)

2003

• In April they are ready to hit the stages again, 4 weeks as main supporter for Opeth and the first two headlining shows in the U.S.
• More shows in Italy and the festivals in Europe. The biggest festival they’ve ever playded in Italy has been the Heineken Jammin Festival, 40.000 people with Iron Maiden as headliner.
• Straight after that, they are ready to start the longest tour they’ve ever done in their carreer. 10 Weeks in the States, joining Type O’Negative and Anthrax, plus headline shows.
• Their frist vídeo – Heaven’s a Lie.
• Their first headlining tour in the States, with Dog Fashion Disco supporting them.

Heaven's A Lie from Comalies (2002)

2004

• Their biggest adventure of their carreer at that time: From May to September, they are traveling all across the States first with Blindside and Hazen Street, supporting P.O.D., and then taking parti n OzzFest 2004.

  2005

• They entered the Massive Arts Studios (Italy) and the Woodhouse Studios (Germany) for the recording sessions of their fourth full album – Karmacode.
• The U.K. Tour “Na Evening with Lacuna Coil” begins. All the gigs are sold out and, for the first time, they open for themselves with na acoustic set.

Our Truth from Karmacode (2006)

2006

• The year start with the shooting of two vídeos in one day, in the same área of Downtown Los Angles: Closer and Enjoy the Silence.
• Also in 2006, they shoot the vídeo for their last single out of Karmacode: Within Me. They have done it part in Torino and Parti n The Island of Sardegna.

2007

• In October, their first experience in Tokio (Japan) as part of the Loud Park Festival.
• Beginning og November marks their firts trip to Australia in the Gigantour 2007 Package.

2008

• Is March and they start the songwriting process for Shallow Life.
• Between June and July, parto f the band start the mix of their first live DVD at the Officine Meccaniche Studios, in Milan, with the producer Marco Trantacoste.
• In November 25th, their official first live DVD – Visual Karma, Body, Mind and Soul – is released.

Spellbound from Shallow Life (2009)

2009

• Shallow life is released

2010

• They release the EP - Shallow Live: Acoustic At Criminal Records.

Discography:

1998 – Lacuna Coil (EP)

1999 – In a Reverie (Full-length)

2000 - Halflife (EP)

2001 - Unleashed Memories (Full-length)

2002 - Comalies (Full-length)

2005 - The EPs (Compilation)

2006 – Sampler (EP)

2006 - Karmacode (Full-length)

2008 - Visual Karma (Body, Mind and Soul) (DVD)

2009 - Manifesto of Lacuna Coil (Compilation)

2009 - Shallow Life (Full-length)

2010 - Shallow Live: Acoustic At Criminal Records (EP)

You can find more information on their official website, and follow them on Myspace, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.