Ethereal Metal Webzine

Review by Ryan Murray | October 21, 2020

Ligeia Wept is a band that is hard to place into any one specific genre. Hailing from Melbourne Australia, this band stretches across genres that include goth, symphonic death/doom metal and melodic metal.

Their press release states that they were formed by Alister in 2006. Over the years, they have seen their share of numerous lineup changes, having gone on complete hiatus from 2009 to 2012. In 2019, everything fell together.

Their debut opus “A Funeral of Innocence” just released this year, and it was worth the wait! The music throughout this work ranges from dirge like works with cavernous growls, to melodic, doom and gloom with angelic soprano vocals. Everything from the guitars, bass, percussion, vocals and orchestrations is perfectly placed, drawing the listener in deeper and deeper.

Both lyrically and melodically, this album draws so many emotions from loss and sadness to a “cannibalistic apocalypse”.  

Her Name In Countless Years Lies Buried

This opening track is simply breathtaking! The string arrangements are just perfect. And the angelic vocal harmonies absolutely gave me chills. Belonging in a score for the newest Netflix release “The Haunting of Bly Manor”, this piece of orchestration needs to be heard all around the world. Simply beautiful.

She Arose Unto a Dying Kiss

At 12:16 long, this dirge like track opens up with a low droning atmosphere with eerie keys. As the intro progresses, percussion is slowly added with tasteful and very tight fills, slowly becoming more and more involved. The strings become really entrancing and add so much to the atmosphere. 

As the song builds, we hear angelic soprano vocals which sit beautifully above the atmosphere being created.  

Deep growls encompass this track throughout as well. 

A Hallowed Suffering Rode Upon the Ninth

Surrounded by beautiful yet haunting strings, this track opens up with some narration. At :42 seconds in, keys and drums come in along with some guttural growls followed by beautifully angelic, yet haunting soprano vocals.

The balance between the growls and soprano vocals is just right. Neither of which are overbearing. Guitars and strings are balanced so well throughout this track, and they really compliment each other.

While this track is obviously slower, it gives me a “The Forest Whispers My Name” vibe from Cradle of Filth’s 95’ release “V Empire”.

Empty into Void Spiritus Mundi

This has got to be my favorite track! As we drift more into the voids of the Earth, we find ourselves surrounded in darkness. This track opens with enchanted and very haunting vocals, and an overall eerie atmosphere that’s created by pads, strings and a droning synth. 

As this track progresses, even though there isn’t any hard drums or distorted guitar riffs, you feel as though you’re going deeper and deeper into darkness.

“Long gone from your home
Whispers slowly beckon us
And I won’t cry your name”

For me, this song is about the darkness that is created by our self isolation. In the current times we’re in, it’s easier than ever to isolate and drown in our own darkness. We become our own worst enemy when we dwell in isolation and the regret of our inaction of breaking free from this darkness.

A Savage Winter Wrought of an Unclean Garden

Another dirge like track starting off right away with distorted guitars. This track is filled with guttural growls and beautiful soprano vocals reminiscent of Tarja Turunen’s early solo career. 

I absolutely love the harmonizing, yet distorted guitars throughout.

At 7:22, everyone pulls back and we’re left with just keys for a bit, but the distorted guitars and drums kick back in shortly after, followed by some more deep growls.

Towards the end of the track, there is narration in French. 

Blood and Shadows did Bequeath Thee Pleasures Vast

The closing track is the longest one on this awesome release! The first 2:05 is just the intro, and the arrangement is absolutely beautiful, yet rather eerie.

The serenity of this amazing intro is abruptly shattered at 2:05 with a black metal sound, including pulse pounding drums, fast tremolo picking on guitar and some serious growls. 

This track will leave you with an array of emotions. It’s got amazing soprano vocals that sit above the madness below, and the vocals for perfectly with each other!

The outro to this track is simply beautiful. Between the strings and keys, and eventually a drum pattern, this outro leaves you wanting more. And I love how the song ends unresolved! 

I could also see this intro and the outro as a part of the score for Netflix’s “Haunting of Bly Manor”!  I absolutely love it.

Verdict

Overall, I’d have to give this album a 4.5 out of 5! I absolutely loved it! The arrangements overall are amazing. I absolutely love how the strings add so much to the atmosphere. I love the soprano vocals, both from Marianne and Emily (session vocals). The strings and the vocals of Marianne and Emily complimented each other incredibly well. 

If you haven’t heard this incredible work yet, I highly recommend you give “A Funeral of Innocence” a listen! You can check them out on Bandcamp and can purchase their album on Digipak CD through Bandcamp at https://ligeiawept.bandcamp.com/releases !