Japanese black metal legends Sigh formed in 1989/1990. The genre-classic debut ‘Scorn Defeat’ followed on Euronymous’ Deathlike Silence Productions in 1993 & with each subsequent release, Sigh grew to become one of the country’s greatest & most revered metal exports. With a journey through the strange & the psychedelic, incorporating a whole eclectic mix of genre styles & experimentation throughout their career, Sigh has remained a vital creative force in the avantgarde field whilst maintaining their old school roots, as witnessed with the stellar 2022 album, ‘Shiki’. 2025 also saw Sigh remaking their ‘Hangman’s Hymn’ album for a release on Peaceville as part of the band’s 35th anniversary celebrations, in the shape of ‘I Saw The World’s End: Hangman’s Hymn MMXXV’.
Featuring the line-up of Mirai Kawashima, Shinichi Ishikawa & Satoshi Fujinami, Sigh created arguably their darkest work to date with third album ‘Hail Horror Hail’ in 1997; an epic of nightmare-inducing soundscapes & lyrics concerning topics such as murder & mortality. With at times more melodic compositions compared to its predecessors & a more traditionally metallic experience than some of the material witnessed on the cult ‘Ghastly Funeral Theatre’ EP released not long before, Sigh continued to embrace deeply atmospheric & symphonic elements, along with what was now becoming an increasingly experimental added dimension to their art, in creating this at times unnerving horror masterpiece.
Continuing with Peaceville’s re-issues of Sigh’s classic early ( & until now, hard to find ) works, this edition of ‘Hail Horror Hail’ contains a new master created by Patrick Engel at Temple of Disharmony, featuring a new transfer from the original DAT source. The release also includes a new interview with main-man Mirai Kawashima conducted by Dayal Patterson of Cult Never Dies, with his thoughts & reflections on the album, the recording process & the influences surrounding its creation. This edition of ‘Hail Horror Hail’ is presented on limited marble vinyl.
A1. Hail Horror Hail
A2. 42 49
A3. 12 Souls
A4. Curse Of Izanagi
B1. Burial
B2. The Dead Sing
B3. Invitation To Die
B4. Pathetic
B5. Seed Of Eternity
