So far this year, the lords of the underworld have vomited forth some impressive black metal offerings by Dimmu Borgir, Mayhem, Marduk and Immortal, to name a few. But one of the most vibrant, entrancing and experimental discs, Sigh’s Hangman’s Hymn will sadly fall under the radar of all but the most comprehensive black metal enthusiasts. And that’s a frickin’ crime.
Japanese quintet, Sigh, are endlessly creative and refuse to adhere to the parameters of their peers. Since their emergence in 1993 with Scorn Defeat, they’ve dressed their adventurous songs with jazz twists, psychedelic interludes and orchestral flourishes, using a wide variety of instruments, including violins, horns, bells, keyboards, choirs.
Hangman’s Hymn is even more adventurous, forsaking elements of jazz and psychedelia and presenting the entire album like a majestic black metal opera. The album is divided into three “acts” that representing elements of greed on earth, torture in hell, and the solemnity of death, and frontman Mirai Kawashima says his primary influences were classical composers including Wagner, Weber, Mozart and Beethoven.
“Good opera is so emotional and powerful,” Kawashima tells MTVnews.com’s Metal File. “And that’s what I was inspired by. A lot of black-metal bands use keyboards and strings for embellishments. But the keyboard parts and orchestration on Hangman’s Hymn are not embellishments. They are as important to the songs as the guitars, bass and drums. So even though it’s very metal, you can say it’s pretty much classical music as well.”
Just because Sigh draw heavily from classical music doesn’t mean they lack the rage of some of their less creative peers. Hangman’s Hymn is fast and brutal, intertwining orchestrating into a web of contempt that could burn a hole through the side of Underoath’s tour bus.
“I hate 99 percent of the people on this earth,” Kawashima tells Metal File. “I hate weak people who have to cling to fairy tales like religion, and I hate greedy people that have nothing more than making money in their head. I just want all of them to die.”
For the complete interview with Sigh and all of this week’s metal news, check out this week’s edition of MTVnews.com’s Metal File.
Didn’t fall under my radar, or did any of the previous endeavors. These guys kick some serious ass.