Cristina Scabbia has always loved to sing.

"I still have some tapes when I was 4 years old and already recording just for fun," the Italian-born Scabbia said during a telephone call from Cleveland.

The co-lead singer for the Italian metal band Lacuna Coil said being the youngest of four siblings in her family exposed her to different types of music.

"They were listening to everything from Italian classical music to AC/DC to (Led) Zeppelin to Beatles to hip-hop and dance music from the '80s.

"I grew up with a lot of different influences. And started listening to rock and metal more."

She was drawn to metal and rock music because she felt they are the most sincere of all music forms.

"Even if I like to enjoy dance for a party on the bus, I think rock and metal have more messages to share with the listener," she said.

That was one of the reasons why the band — which includes Scabbia, co-vocalist Andrea Ferro, bassist Marco "Maki" ... Read more »