Lacuna Coil

  The totally clueless might hear the phrase "a group of musicians from Italy" and think of the two singing waiters in Lady and the Tramp. These same people might think Germany has great polka music, and all that can come out of Sweden is ABBA.
  It would be unfortunate if Lacuna Coil were lumped in such a way, because, surprise, the group has produced some fine goth/ambient music, and visited the Birch Hill this month.
  The peninsula nation maintains its history of blending innovation and art, in giving birth to Lacuna Coil. The band gained critical acclaim with its self-titled 1998 EP and with Unleashed Memories (2001) gained a wider fanbase.
  The moniker means, roughly, "empty spiral". Listeners have said it is an apt name for the band's dream-like music that is both haunting and beautiful.
  It's Cristina Scabbia's vocals that produce such effects, layered against and interplayed with Andrea Ferro's male vocal offerings. Completing Lacuna Coil is Cristiano Migliore (guitars), Marco Coti Zelati (bass), Marco Biazzi (guitars) and Cristiano Mozzati (drums).
  The band's first full-length In A Reverie was issued in 1999. Its latest is Comalies (2002). With three full-length albums in four years, the group had much material to draw from for its Birch Hill performance on Sept. 26.
  This international tour is a major one for the band, but it's not their first, having shared stages with Skyclad and My Insanity). The North American Leg takes the band from coast to coast with the likes of Type O Negative, Anthrax and E-Town Concrete.
  At the Birch Hill, Lacuna Coil earned the right to headline. Two bands-Beyond the Embrace and Murder By Death joined the sextet in Old Bridge.
  The show was sponsored by WSOU, Seton Hall's pirate radio station.

 -Catherine E. Galioto

Animated Art
(cont. from page 4)

   These traits start to show "face" in some of Eric's work. He has a series of scrap metal, mask-like caricatures. Most of the pieces were constructed from discarded aluminum, wood and paint enamel from the sign shop where he works.
  I asked him where he saw his work going, and what the next step was for his art. He replied, "Large-scale sculpture".  I think this is a positive direction for Mr. Styles and if he reads this article I suggest he look up Donald Judd, Richard Serra and Alexander Calder, to name a few revolutionary, large- scale sculpture artists.
  In summary, I think if Mr. Styles stopped trying to be so literal about his message and let the pure meaning or action come forth, the work could speak volumes. I am very grateful to recieve an original by Eric Styles that he did not even recognize as the start of "the pure meaning". 
  You can also view Eric’s work at Lavender Moon, a boutique in Belmar on Main Street between Tenth and Eleventh Street. This shop carries his collection permanently. To contact Eric Styles, email him at styles2000@aol.com

-Dina Giordano