9. Scars
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyaRvHiT5n0 Vocals: Mark Osegueda & Cristina Scabbia Lead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex Skolnick Bass: David Ellefson Drums: Mike Portnoy Talk about your awesome match-ups, Lacuna Coil's Cristina Scabbia and Death Angel's Mark Osegueda could've made for a pairing that contrasted far too much for it to work, but Scabbia proves worth as one of the finest female singers working today with an angelic tone that offsets the mood to deliver a surprisingly uplifting chorus. The switch in tone isn't going to be for everyone, especially as Osegueda's vocal style lends itself to a very classic 80s sound, but with Cristina's more established voice it turns into both the song's greatest strength and its potentially most off-putting element. Personally I think it works a treat, and if you're a Scabbia/Lacuna Coil fan you'll actively anticipate her sections, but it's worth pointing out how experimental her inclusion can feel if you're not expecting it. Instrumentally it's a trip to blues-school for Skolnick, who once again shows just how underrated he is as a guitarist, taking you on one hell of a fretboard-journey through double-string bends and held notes, the occasional tremolo picked patterns adding just enough flavour to really make his whole section stand out amongst a song already loaded with personality.