Live Review: Lacuna Coil sells out the Summit Music Hall in Denver, Colorado

When this tour was announced in February of this year, I was more than excited to finally see Lacuna Coil for the 10th time. Add to that, an excellent lineup joined them for this tour.

I arrived at the venue early for a meet and greet with Edge of Paradise who I have been wanting to see since I discovered them some time ago. Lead singer, Margarita Monet was dressed in a beautiful outfit which she wore on stage that evening. It was such a pleasure talking with her and the band members, who made us feel like old friends meeting and catching up.

With the venue filling up, Edge of Paradise took to the stage and started their set with, “Soldiers of Danger” from their upcoming new album, Hologram. Margarita’s powerful vocals backed by strong musicianship resonated throughout the venue. The band was highlighting their new music as well as songs from their 2021 album, The Unknown. “Digital Paradise” had Margarita moving about the stage. At times she would stand up on her lightbox as the energy from the band poured out to the crowd.

The band finished their set with, “The Unknown” and thanked the crowd who in return thanked them for a great set of music. It was a great pleasure to finally see Edge of Paradise live. 

Edge of Paradise are:

Margarita Monet - vocals
Dave Bates - lead guitar
David Ruiz - rhythm guitar
Kenny Lockwood - bass
Jamie Moreno - drums

Setlist:

Soldiers of Danger
This is Personal
Digital Paradise
One Last Time
Unbeatable
Basilisk
The Unknown

With a quick turnover, Blind Channel’s drummer took to his kit and with a few solid beats, the rest of the band bounced their way onto the stage and started their high energy set with, “Alive or Only Burning” from their 2022 album, Lifestyles of the Sick & Dangerous. Their stage presence and musicianship electrified the crowd as the band moved through their set. 

Finishing off their set, they played “Dark Side”, the song they performed for the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest representing Finland. The crowd at the Summit roared their appreciation for their high energy set of music.

Blind Channel are:

Joel Hokka – vocals
Niko Moilanen – vocals
Joonas Porko – guitar
Olli Matela – bass
Tommi Lalli – drums
Aleksi Kaunisvesi – samples, percussion, DJ

Setlist:

Alive or Only Burning
We Are No Saints
Over My Dead Body
Left Outside Alone @Cover
FLATLINE
Balboa
Dark Side

Next up was The Birthday Massacre, another band that has been a favorite of mine for many years. Making their way to the stage, the crowd gave the band a roaring welcome. Starting their set, TBM went back in time to 2007 with “Red Stars” from the album, Walking with Strangers. I have always found their music interesting touching on various genres such as Goth, Dark Wave, Industrial, and Alternative. 

The band moved about the stage, Chibi would interact with her bandmates and the crowd as well while moving through time with songs, “Superstition” from their 2014 album of the same name. “Blue” going back to 2004 from the album, Violet. TBM Finished off their set with “In the Dark” from the 2010 album, Pins and Needles. With a roar from their fans, TBM said goodnight.

The Birthday Massacre are:

Sara "Chibi" Taylor – lead vocals
Michael Rainbow – rhythm guitar, programming, backing vocals
Michael Falcore – lead guitar, programming
Owen Mackinder – keyboards, keytar
Philip Elliott – drums
Brett Carruthers – bass, backing vocals 

Setlist:

Red Stars
Improv
Destroyer
Superstition
Counterpane
Crush
Stars and Satellites
Blue
In the Dark

I was waiting in the pit with excitement to see Lacuna Coil again after a 5+ year wait. Drummer Richard Meiz came out to a roar from the crowd and took his place behind his kit. He stood looking at the crowd and was urging them to get louder and louder. One by one the band came out to the cheering crowd and started their night with, “Blood, Tears, Dust” from their 2016 album, Delirium and their fans lit up the venue. They moved right into “Reckless” (a personal favorite) from their 2019 album, Black Anima and I found that it is difficult to photograph a show when you are headbanging at the same time. (LOL) After the song, Cristina said hi to all the Denver fans and commented it had been a long time since they had been to Denver.

From their first remixed album, 2022’s Comalies XX came, “Heaven’s a Lie” and there were other songs from the album throughout their set. As I stood off to the side of the stage, the band started the song, “Our Truth” from the 2006 Karmacode album. (personal note) This song was my introduction to Lacuna Coil but not from the album. I heard the song on the soundtrack from the movie, Underworld Evolution shortly after I saw the movie. A few minutes later I bought my first cd from the band, Comalies.

The band was on their game, the power from their music filled the sold out venue and their fans were moving with them. They took a short break, then returned for a 4 song encore that included 3 more songs from the Comalies XX release. Then closed out their night with, “Nothing Stands in Our Way” from the 2014 album, Broken Crown Halo. An amazing night of music came to a close and all 4 bands played their hearts out, thank you!

Lacuna Coil are:

Andrea Ferro — vocals
Marco Coti Zelati — bass, keyboards
Cristina Scabbia — vocals
Diego "Didi" Cavalotti — guitars
Richard Meiz — drums 

Setlist:

Blood, Tears, Dust
Reckless
Trip the Darkness
Apocalypse
Layers of Time
Heaven’s a Lie XX
Sword of Anger
Entwined XX
Our Truth
Now or Never
Self Deception XX
Daylight Dancer XX
Veneficium
Aeon XX
Tight Rope XX
Swamped XX
Nothing Stands in Our Way