Sigh (band)
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese extreme metal
band from Tokyo
, formed in 1990. They are credited as being one of the first Japanese black metal
bands, when the majority of black metal in early 1990s came from Scandinavia
. They gradually shifted from a more traditional black/thrash metal
sound, to a more experimental, avant-garde style.
fame) infamous label Deathlike Silence Records and released their first full-length album Scorn Defeat
on DSP in 1993, shortly after Euronymous' death. The label ceased to exist shortly after his death and Sigh changed to Cacophonous Records.
After major disputes with Cacophonous over promotion and album rights, the band eventually found a new home at Century Media Records
. Through this label they released their album Imaginary Sonicscape
in 2001, which contained a more avant-garde elements than their previous work. In 2005 they released their full-length Gallows Gallery
through yet another source, Candlelight Records
/Baphomet Records. The band is now signed to The End Records
that released Hangman's Hymn
and reissued re-mastered versions of Gallows Gallery
and Imaginary Sonicscape
with revamped artwork and bonus tracks.
The band is featured in the 2008 documentary Global Metal
. Their new album Scenes From Hell
was released on January 19, 2010.
Former members
EPs
Demos
Extreme metal
Extreme metal is a loosely defined umbrella term for a number of related heavy metal music subgenres that have developed since the early 1980s. The term usually refers to a more abrasive, harsher, underground, non-commercialized style or sound nearly always associated with genres like black metal,...
band from Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, formed in 1990. They are credited as being one of the first Japanese black metal
Black metal
Black metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. Common traits include fast tempos, shrieked vocals, highly distorted guitars played with tremolo picking, blast beat drumming, raw recording, and unconventional song structure....
bands, when the majority of black metal in early 1990s came from Scandinavia
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
. They gradually shifted from a more traditional black/thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
sound, to a more experimental, avant-garde style.
Biography
Sigh was founded in 1990 in Tokyo, Japan. The band was signed by Euronymous' (of MayhemMayhem (band)
Mayhem is a Norwegian black metal band formed in 1984 in Oslo, Norway and regarded as one of the pioneers of the influential Norwegian black metal scene...
fame) infamous label Deathlike Silence Records and released their first full-length album Scorn Defeat
Scorn Defeat
Scorn Defeat is the first full-length album by the Japanese black metal band Sigh. It is their most traditionally black metal album released. The album takes its title from a line in the title track from the 1981 album Welcome to Hell, by Venom....
on DSP in 1993, shortly after Euronymous' death. The label ceased to exist shortly after his death and Sigh changed to Cacophonous Records.
After major disputes with Cacophonous over promotion and album rights, the band eventually found a new home at Century Media Records
Century Media Records
Century Media Records is an Independent record label with offices in the United States, Germany, Australia, France, Italy, Sweden, Finland, and the United Kingdom.- Background :...
. Through this label they released their album Imaginary Sonicscape
Imaginary Sonicscape
The album was remastered and reissued in 2009 with two bonus tracks: "Voices" and "Born Condemned Criminal," and a longer version of "Bring Back the Dead":-Personnel:...
in 2001, which contained a more avant-garde elements than their previous work. In 2005 they released their full-length Gallows Gallery
Gallows Gallery
Gallows Gallery is an album by the band Sigh. It was released by Candlelight Records originally in 2005.This is Sigh's first album as a four-piece rather than a trio and their first album which they made a music video for. It's also noted for being their first album with clean vocals rather than...
through yet another source, Candlelight Records
Candlelight Records
Candlelight Records is an independent record label based in Europe founded by former Extreme Noise Terror bassist Lee Barrett, though it has had a division in the United States since January 2001. Candlelight Records specialises in black metal and death metal, having bands such as Emperor,...
/Baphomet Records. The band is now signed to The End Records
The End Records
The End Records is an independent record label, founded in 1998 in San Diego. Founder Andreas Katsambas initially wanted to bring attention to some underground bands he admired. In 2002, The End moved to Salt Lake City, when his wife took a job at the University of Utah. The label moved...
that released Hangman's Hymn
Hangman's Hymn
Hangman's Hymn: Musikalische Exequien is an album by the Japanese heavy metal band Sigh. It is their first album for The End Records. Audio samples on the The End website suggest Sigh have kept their clean vocals style as shown on their previous album as well as returned to a black metal styled...
and reissued re-mastered versions of Gallows Gallery
Gallows Gallery
Gallows Gallery is an album by the band Sigh. It was released by Candlelight Records originally in 2005.This is Sigh's first album as a four-piece rather than a trio and their first album which they made a music video for. It's also noted for being their first album with clean vocals rather than...
and Imaginary Sonicscape
Imaginary Sonicscape
The album was remastered and reissued in 2009 with two bonus tracks: "Voices" and "Born Condemned Criminal," and a longer version of "Bring Back the Dead":-Personnel:...
with revamped artwork and bonus tracks.
The band is featured in the 2008 documentary Global Metal
Global Metal
Global Metal is a 2008 documentary film directed by Scot McFadyen and Canadian anthropologist Sam Dunn. It is a followup to their successful 2005 documentary, Metal: A Headbanger's Journey. The film's international premiere took place at the Bergen International Film Festival on October 17th 2007...
. Their new album Scenes From Hell
Scenes From Hell
Scenes from Hell is the eighth full-length studio album by the Japanese extreme metal band Sigh. It is the band's first full-length recording to feature Dr. Mikannibal...
was released on January 19, 2010.
Band members
Current members- Mirai Kawashima (川嶋未来) – vocals, keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
(1990–present) - Shinichi Ishikawa (石川慎) – guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
(1992–present) - Satoshi Fujinami (藤波聡一) – guitar (1990–1992, 2008), drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
(1992–2004, 2008), bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(2004–present) - Junichi Harashima (原島淳一) – drums (2004–present)
- Dr. Mikannibal – saxophoneSaxophoneThe saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
, vocals (2007–present)
Former members
- Kazuki Ozeki (尾関和樹) – drums (1990)
Discography
Studio albums- Scorn DefeatScorn DefeatScorn Defeat is the first full-length album by the Japanese black metal band Sigh. It is their most traditionally black metal album released. The album takes its title from a line in the title track from the 1981 album Welcome to Hell, by Venom....
(1993) - Infidel ArtInfidel ArtInfidel Art is a six-track LP released by the Japanese black metal band Sigh. The songs on this album are longer and more atmospheric than those on Sigh's previous effort, Scorn Defeat...
(1995) - Hail Horror HailHail Horror HailHail Horror Hail is an album by the band Sigh. It was released by Cacophonous Records originally in 1997.This is the first full-length album of Sigh's to explore their more well known avant-garde/experimental sound...
(1997) - Scenario IV: Dread DreamsScenario IV: Dread DreamsScenario IV: Dread Dreams is an album by the band Sigh. It was released by Cacophonous Records originally in 1999.This album shows the traits of Sigh continuing to explore their more well known Avantgarde/Experimental sound...
(1999) - Imaginary SonicscapeImaginary SonicscapeThe album was remastered and reissued in 2009 with two bonus tracks: "Voices" and "Born Condemned Criminal," and a longer version of "Bring Back the Dead":-Personnel:...
(2001) - Gallows GalleryGallows GalleryGallows Gallery is an album by the band Sigh. It was released by Candlelight Records originally in 2005.This is Sigh's first album as a four-piece rather than a trio and their first album which they made a music video for. It's also noted for being their first album with clean vocals rather than...
(2005) - Hangman's HymnHangman's HymnHangman's Hymn: Musikalische Exequien is an album by the Japanese heavy metal band Sigh. It is their first album for The End Records. Audio samples on the The End website suggest Sigh have kept their clean vocals style as shown on their previous album as well as returned to a black metal styled...
(2007) - Scenes from HellScenes From HellScenes from Hell is the eighth full-length studio album by the Japanese extreme metal band Sigh. It is the band's first full-length recording to feature Dr. Mikannibal...
(2010) - In Somniphobia (upcoming 2011)
EPs
- Requiem for Fools (1992)
- Ghastly Funeral TheatreGhastly Funeral TheatreGhastly Funeral Theatre is an EP by the band Sigh. Ghastly Funeral Theatre marked the beginning of Sigh's progressive and avant-garde experimentation, a short time before they had on Hail Horror Hail....
(1997) - A Tribute to Venom (2008)
- The Curse of Izanagi 7" (2010)
Demos
- Desolation (1990)
- Tragedies (1990)