LACUNA COIL WERE THE FIRST METAL BAND TO BE CAUGHT IN THE PANDEMIC
Little did we know that the whole industry would be next. Four months on, Cristina Scabbia tells us what it was like, and how she’s survived since
WORDS: ELEANOR GOODMAN • PICTURES: CUNENE
Metal lived the COVID-19 emergency through Lacuna Coil before we lived it ourselves. In February, their homeland of Italy became the worst-hit in the world after China and South Korea, with case numbers rising rapidly every day. On March 1, Cristina Scabbia posted a patriotic photo of herself in a restaurant, hands in the prayer position, with the caption: ‘Italy is made of history, priceless art, great food culture, breathtaking landscapes and creativity and I am in LOVE with my beautiful country.’
“THE HOSPITALS WERE COLLAPSING”
CRISTINA SCABBIA
The next day, Lacuna Coil cancelled shows in Dubai, Bangkok, Sydney, Melbourne, Tokyo, Osaka, Singapore and Jakarta, causing a backlash from some fans who didn’t understand the severity of the infection rate. For the band, it was a horrible shock and a disorientating time as the situation worsened. They were unable to leave their houses except to buy food.