Reviews

This second album from Ligeia brings producer Ken Susi of Unearth back to the boards, which is one definitely good thing this record has going for it. Another is the strong vocals of Keith Holuk, particularly on the title track. The subject matter on this album is quite dark, brought about by personal matters and it makes the record a harrowing listen.

This album definitely sounds like a trip through a personal hell with the lyrics of "I've Been Drinkin'" as a prime example. The seedier side of life permeates the entire record with the lyrics of "Hot Mess" and the depressing, do whatever the fuck you want attitude of "One Night Stand." Bad News shows everyone how fucked up life can get and what can happen if you let everything else take control.

The music takes many different shifts throughout, with the "Interlude" set as a moody, bass-heavy piece. The standout of the album, hands down, is "Heroin Diaries," an acoustic lament about a girl and a guy who have left home to get clean; the way the guitars interact and keep the song strong and so damn interesting makes you wonder where it came from because it essentially comes out of leftfield. It almost makes you wonder if the band has been listening to Alice in Chains or Mad Season - the song is such a dramatic departure from everything else on the album.

The mood continues to change towards the end with "Thanks for Nothing," which almost reads like a suicide note in its morbid tone and its repeated line, "are you happy now?"

This record will likely go down as one of the darkest albums of the year and definitely makes Ligeia one of the more different bands on the hardcore scene.