Lacuna Coil has returned to Ozzfest, this time tackling the main stage, joining bands such as Disturbed and Avenged Sevenfold. On tour in support of their latest CD release Karmacode, we spoke with vocalist Cristina Scabbia prior to one of their performances. Here is Ms. Scabbia's report from Ozzfest...
How has Ozzfest been going so far? Compare the audience reactions you’ve been getting on the main stage as opposed to the side stage.
It’s a different situation, just for the fact that on the main stage people are sitting in front of you because you are playing in a huge amphitheater. There are a lot of people reacting in different ways. The second stage is more rock and roll and everyone is like mosh pitting and stuff, so it’s completely different. But we’re enjoying it. It’s a big statement – it’s a big step ahead for the band being on the main stage this year.
How you met Ozzy or any of the Osbourne’s yet, and if so, what are your impressions of them?
I haven’t met anybody so far this year. I did see Kelly one day. My impression is that they’re like a regular family – of course they have something special – that’s for sure. They’re really good people. Two years ago I met Ozzy and I spoke a little bit with Sharon, and she was amazing.
What do you think of all the hardcore and metalcore bands on Ozzfest?
I don’t think anything special. I respect every kind of music, even if you’re not playing the same thing. I like some of the bands I already met a few years ago, like Atreyu, Unearth and Bleeding Through. I had the chance to listen to some of the songs during the signing sessions we’ve been doing before the show, and I can appreciate their songs.
Are you surprised by how successful your band has become over the last few years?
Not really surprised, because honestly – not to sound better than the others or anything like that – but I really feel the band has a big potential and I really feel we’re doing something that is different from the other bands. First of all, because of the old feeling – especially on the new latest album Karmacode – we’re mixing the European influences with the American ones, and this is not really common to other bands we’ve met so far. Plus we have two singers – a male and a female – that are using the voice like two instruments. We’re not playing the Beauty And The Beast part as most bands who have a male and female vocalist. So I’m definitely not surprised, because we have been touring and promoting the album so much, that we’re expecting a result. And I’m happy that people understood what we wanted to say.
Once in the studio recording Karmacode, how nervous were you with following up a previous, wildly successful album?
We weren’t really nervous. We were excited because we couldn’t wait to put out another album to play new songs live. We were becoming pretty sick of the old stuff. Every once in a while you need to have something new just for the fun of it, and to renew the energy in the band. But we weren’t really nervous. Of course, we had some pressure from outside and people worried about that – even the label wanted to follow the same results. But the only point for us was to be satisfied with ourselves. We couldn’t care less about anyone else.
What exactly is a Karmacode and what made you decide to name your album that?
It’s not a thing – it’s a name we came out with, because we wanted something that could mix the spiritual part out of the album into something more modern. In the album, there’s a big duality, which is like a balance in between spiritual parts, but not connected to any religion in particular – with something that is definitely connected to the modern day where everything is about computers. So Karmacode was the perfect word to sum everything.
What made you guys decide to cover Enjoy The Silence, and are you a big fan of Depeche Mode?
No, it just happened. I think when you make a cover; you don’t necessarily have to be a big fan of the band or something. It’s just that you pick up a song you like, and as soon as you try to recreate it, it sounds good and it sounds in your style – at least that has been our approach. I mean, we love Depeche Mode, but it’s not a favorite thing of every member in the band. It was not a case to make a tribute to Depeche Mode. It was a question of picking up a good song that everyone can sing at the concerts, and not really to appeal to the media or to make the band familiar to everybody who hasn’t heard Lacuna Coil before. It was just sounding good and in the Lacuna Coil style, and that’s why we picked it up.
Do you know if Depeche Mode has ever heard or commented on your version of the song?
Yes. Our producer was a guy who is working with Depeche Mode currently. We didn’t know that, and as soon as he heard our version of Enjoy The Silence, he let them listen to the song. And he said that apparently they liked it very much. I never met them, so I can’t really confirm it. But as far as I know, they like it.
How did the tour with Rob Zombie go, and what was it like to work with him?
It was amazing! I actually saw Rob a few days ago, because we’ve been playing an off show with him. It’s been great! We’re friends now – we’ve been loving Rob even before, because we were fans. But now we can say we totally love him. He’s a great artist – a great performer, and we just love the whole package.
Were you friends with Bullet For My Valentine when they were dropped off the tour?
We met them. We had a chance to talk to them, but we’re not like pals. I would say we’re friends – they’re cool guys. We don’t hang out together because they’re from England and we’re from Italy, but during the tour for most of the time we were sharing dressing rooms, so we had the chance to chat.
What do you think of the situation that happened with them being dropped off the tour?
I don’t think anything in particular. I don’t really want to give my advice, because I was not related to what happened. I don’t think I should be the one to talk about it. I think that you can do mistakes – but if you do mistakes, you have to be able to learn from them. So I just hope that next time they will act in a different way – and I’m sure they do because they are really sad for what happened.
So how ironic was it to sing Heaven’s A Lie at a POD show?
That was pretty ironic. What’s even more ironic is that the song is not really talking about religious stuff. The heavens we’re talking about is that sometimes people want you to have the same opinions they have. It was so funny – during the tour, there were people coming to us, telling us, “Oh my God, I love that song! But I can’t buy the record – I can’t really get it because it says Heaven’s A Lie.” We were so surprised about that, because if you think about it – it’s so stupid in a way. Music is a sensation – I don’t think that it’s something bad if you like a song.
There are many who think you guys actually stole the show from POD.
(Laughs) I wouldn’t say that. They’re great guys and they had a great live show. I like their music as well. We were just different. I think there’s a place for everybody. You don’t really have to choose between bands – you can like different bands at the same time.
If Century Media were to do a Heavy Metal Tribute to Madonna and asked Lacuna Coil to be on it, what song would you like to do by the Material Girl and why?
(Laughs) I would say Gambler. It’s an old song from the first period of Madonna, and it’s a song that I like. And probably the other guys, they know Madonna, but they are not into her like I was years ago.
Have you ever attempted to do a death metal vocal, like Angela from Arch Enemy?
No, not at all. I don’t think I could be able, and then I never trained, so I would be worried to fuck up my voice. So no, that’s not my cup of tea. I like to sing the way I do – maybe doing something more aggressive but in a different way.
Do you have messages for Lacuna Coil fans here in the Los Angeles area?
Messages, yes, that we really hope to come back. We always had great support, so I thank all of them, really, really! Because without them, we’re nothing.
