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Lacuna Coil, one of Italy’s biggest metal bands, is offering fans a special Valentine’s Day surprise with the release of their latest album, Sleepless Empire, on February 14th. We had the chance to speak with frontwoman Cristina Scabbia about the inspirations behind the record, the special reworking of the iconic Comalies, and the recent addition of their new guitarist. Cristina also shared insights into her career’s early days, the position of women in the metal scene, and the band’s 2025 plans.

(text: Daniella Kiss · photo: Cucene / Oxygen Press)

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The band’s new album is set to release on the 14th of February. Is there a particular reason you chose Valentine’s Day for the release date?

„Well, there is a particular reason, but I can’t share it with you right now because there’s something special planned for that days. But what I can tell you is that I felt it was the perfect day for the release. Even during some of our shows, when we announced the date, I’d tell the crowd: “If you know someone you love, think about getting them the record as a gift. And if you know someone who hates us, get them the record too. We’ll be happy either way!” Everyone would laugh, so yeah, there’s definitely a special reason for choosing that date.”

The new album is called Sleepless Empire. Could you share what inspired this title and how it ties into the themes of the record?

„It’s not a concept album, because we prefer writing separate songs with different themes. But when we started composing the music, the title came to us as we thought about the times we’re living in. These days, we’re so hyper-connected through social media, computers, and smartphones. We’ve never been so connected, yet at the same time, we’ve never been so disconnected. We’re constantly focused on so many things that we sometimes forget about real life. We forget that we should take time to see each other in person and go out to enjoy the real world. This led us to a more literal vision that we also explored through the album artwork: Sleepless Empire. It reflects a world where people live in this empire of constant productivity, where they barely sleep because they’re always doing something. We liked the sound of Sleepless Empire because it captures the essence of the world we’re living in right now.”

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This album was in the works for quite some time. What would you say was the most challenging aspect of bringing it to life?

„To be honest, the hardest part wasn’t necessarily a challenge, it was the pandemic. Like many others, we released Black Anima, our previous record, at the end of 2019. Then, in early 2020, the pandemic hit hard, and everything came to a halt. We’d just done three tours for Black Anima—in Europe, North America, and South America—before everything stopped. I remember customs being shut down, so we couldn’t travel, and we had to cancel several tours. At first, it was almost a relief—we were forced to stay home, which hadn’t happened in a long time. But when we realized it wasn’t just for a month or a few weeks, and it stretched on with so many deaths and so much sadness, it became very depressing.

When we finally began coming out of it, we found that—well, it’s not that we lost our passion for music, but we didn’t have much to say. Everything felt negative and empty. Our music is fueled by experiences, like touring, meeting people, encountering different cultures, and creating stories from those moments. But during the pandemic, we didn’t have the opportunity to do any of that.

Then came the anniversary of Comalies, and we thought it’d be a great idea to celebrate a record that meant so much to us. Instead of doing a remaster or a simple cover version, we thought: “Why don’t we rewrite Comalies as if it were created today?” Using our current songwriting skills, improved technology, and today’s mindset, we created Comalies XX. After that, we had to promote it, which took more time, and suddenly another year had gone by.

Once we started touring again, we couldn’t write while on the road. Our focus was on the shows, meeting fans, and everything else that comes with touring. Writing music requires time off to concentrate fully. When we finally started working on new music, it took a little while to shake off the rust. But once we got going, the songs started flowing. The more we wrote, the harder it became to choose which tracks would end up on the album. In the end, though, it wasn’t really challenging, it was a lot of fun.”

As you mentioned, in 2022, Comalies celebrated its 20th anniversary, and you even reimagined it with Comalies XX. Looking back, how do you feel about the legacy of that album, and what was it like revisiting those songs in a new way?

„It was really interesting because I think I’ve personally improved vocally. For me, it was amazing to reimagine some of the songs and sing them better this time around. Back in the day, we recorded in analog, which was incredible because it really captured the moment. But at the same time, there was very limited time to do everything. You couldn’t just go into the studio every day to deliver your best performance. What you recorded back then was it, with the quality of that time.

Now, I took advantage of the fact that I sing better, I’m more relaxed, and I already know the songs. That’s something that happens often for many artists. Sometimes you finalize the songs while you’re recording them, so your muscle memory for that song isn’t quite there yet. But once you start playing the songs on tour, you memorize them, and they truly become yours. In a perfect world, I think it’d be ideal to write music, tour with it for a year, and then record the songs. That way, they’d fully belong to you, and you’d know exactly what to do with them.”

Back to your new album, were there any collaborations or external influences that helped shape the sound of this record?

„Yes, there are two collaborations on this album: one with Randy Blythe of Lamb of God and one with Ash Costello of New Year’s Day. They didn’t influence the music itself, as the songs were already written. But Randy and Ash performed vocals and added their own styles to ideas and lyrics that we had already prepared. I think they did a fantastic job.

We’ve known Randy for many years—he’s a real friend. We toured with Lamb of God and clicked immediately. Every time he comes to Milan, we hang out, and every time we meet on the road, it’s always a party. Asking him to be part of one of our songs was a big deal. He’s a friend, but we didn’t want to take advantage of that friendship because he’s such an iconic and legendary performer. We sent him a message saying, “We’d love for you to be on the record. But if you don’t want to, we completely understand.” He was so excited! He said, “Oh my God, I’ve been waiting for this moment to work with you guys!” It was perfect timing because he wasn’t on tour, so he was able to record his part. Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to make a video or perform the song live together because both of us have been so busy.

The collaboration with Ash was a bit different because we hadn’t met in person before. We connected through Instagram—I was already following her because I think she’s super funny, creative, and an amazing singer. When I thought about someone singing a part I wrote, I wanted someone with a similar style to mine. It was hard to think of someone among my friends who fit that, and then I thought of Ash. She’s great, and her voice matches the style perfectly. She recorded her parts and sent them to us. We met for the first time during the U.S. tour we did together. Even the video for the song was filmed separately—she sent us her footage from the U.S., and we mixed it with ours. It was a great collaboration, and I think she did an incredible job.”

Are there any artists or bands you’d love to collaborate with in the future?

„Oh, so many! There are so many artists and bands, even from very different genres, that I’d love to work with. I always say Jonathan Davis because I love the way he sings and writes, even his solo work. There are other bands I admire, like Rammstein, Wardruna, and Metallica. Way too many to name! Yesterday, during another interview, I mentioned Lady Gaga because I love what she does. It would probably never happen, but since we’re just throwing names out there—and since I know she’s a metalhead too—why not? I love her!”

Your new guitarist, Daniele Salomone, joined the band in October 2024. How has he influenced Lacuna Coil’s dynamic, both creatively and during live performances?

„First of all, he’s not exactly a “new guitarist.” His name is Daniele Solomone, and he’s been part of the Lacuna Coil family for many years. He worked behind the scenes as a guitar tech, in the studio, and as a close friend. So when the lineup changed, he was a natural choice to step in and help Marco, our bassist, who is also our internal producer and writes most of the music. Marco is great at writing guitar parts but isn’t a trained guitarist. Daniele, on the other hand, is a proper guitarist with extensive knowledge and experience. He jumped in almost at the end of the recording process and was the obvious choice—not just because of his talent, but because he’s a great person and a great friend. We wanted someone who could fit the vibe of the band, someone who would enjoy touring with us and sharing time on the road. We just finished our first tour together a few weeks ago in the UK, Scotland, Ireland, and France, and it was amazing. He loves being with us, and the atmosphere was very familiar and warm, which is exactly what we value. He isn’t officially part of the band yet, but we’re taking things step by step to see how it goes. So far, so good!”

Why did you choose not to make him the official guitarist right away?

„It wasn’t about replacing someone or saying, “This guy is the new guitarist, and that’s it.” It was more about finding someone to help us both musically and during live performances. That’s also why in some of the early pictures, he’s very dark and understated in his makeup. It wasn’t about a big “reveal.” We wanted to slowly introduce him to the fans, let them get to know him, and give ourselves time as a band to see how everything works out. Daniele had never done an extensive tour before, so we weren’t sure how he’d feel about it. For now, he’s part of the band as the guitarist, and we’re just letting things evolve naturally.”

Lacuna Coil is one of the few internationally celebrated Italian metal bands. How has your cultural background shaped your music and your identity as a band?

„I think there’s a lot of Italy in who we are. The passion, the chaos, the energy—those are very Italian traits. We also have a love for simple things, and as a band, we’re like a second family. We care deeply about our relationships with one another, and we prioritize happiness and balance in our lives alongside the music. That balance is what nourishes the band. Sonically, I think our Italian roots come through in our music as well. There are influences you can hear in our records, like Arabian or exotic vocal elements, which are similar to the music you might hear in Southern Italy. Those influences give our sound a unique flavor.”

As one of the most iconic women in metal, you’ve inspired countless fans. What challenges did you face at the start of your career, and how have things improved for women in the rock and metal world over the years in your opinion?

„When I started, there were very few women in metal. It was rare to see female-fronted bands or even women in the crowd at metal shows. Thankfully, that’s changed a lot. Now, I see so many women in the audience—not just at our shows, but at festivals and concerts in general. I’m so happy about that, not just because there are more women in the scene, but because music has no gender. Music should be for everyone.

At the start of my career, there was some mental rigidity in the metal community—it was seen as a male-dominated genre. Personally, though, I’ve been lucky. I’ve never faced severe disrespect, aside from the occasional person yelling “naked, naked!” at the beginning of a show. But even then, my best response was always to perform, to sing the way I do, and to look that person in the eye as their attitude shifted. Seeing them change their mind by the end of the show was always a victory for me.

I’ve never felt like “the woman” in Lacuna Coil. I’ve always been one of the band members. We share everything—dressing rooms, the road, and the work. I’ve never expected special treatment, nor have I wanted it. That said, there are pros and cons. For example, when I enter a festival full of bands, people who don’t know who I am might assume I’m a production manager, someone’s wife, or a groupie—just because I’m a woman. That’s frustrating because I doubt men deal with that. But beyond that, I’ve never had significant issues.”

What advice would you give to young women hoping to break into the metal scene or any male-dominated industry?

„The best advice I can give is to always be yourself. Being true to who you are is the best choice you can make. When I started my career, I used to think a lot about how to impress people with different looks. There were times when I tried more striking or flashy appearances, but I didn’t feel comfortable. I quickly realized that it’s so important to feel at ease in your own skin—whether it’s about your voice, your attitude, or the way you dress. There’s no one else in the world like you, and you don’t need to try to be someone else. It’s fine to be inspired by others, but you’ll never truly be someone else, so embrace your uniqueness. Also, do it for the right reasons. Do it because you love to sing, play, or create—not because you want to become famous or rich. Those things are incredibly hard to achieve and shouldn’t be the primary motivation. If you’re passionate about what you do, that passion will shine through and connect with people. But most importantly, you have to believe in yourself first before you can convince others to believe in you.”

To wrap things up, beyond the album release, what can fans expect from Lacuna Coil in 2025? And for your European fans, can we hope for more dates to be added to the tour schedule?

„Yes, absolutely! We’re working on it. Our schedule for 2025 already includes tours in South America and the States—we’ll be out with Machine Head, In Flames, and Unearth. We also have a couple of Italian shows lined up, including one with Till Lindemann of Rammstein and another with In Flames. During the summer, we’ll be playing at several festivals across Europe. And we really hope to do an extensive European tour toward the end of the year. It’s been a while since we’ve done a proper European tour, so we’re eager to make it happen. Fingers crossed we can confirm more dates soon!”

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