SLjimbolian
08-22-2007, 11:38 PM
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ZMcQQ-nAL._SS500_.jpg
Artist: Sigh
Title: Hangman' Hymn
Label: The End Records
Genre: Avant-Garde/Black Metal
Release Date: July 31, 2007
Tracklist:
Act I:
1. Introitus/Kyrie
2. Inked In Blood
3. Me-Devil
Act II:
4. Dies Irae/The Master Malice
5. The Memories As a Sinner
6. Death With Dishonour
7. In Devil's Arms
Act III:
8. Overture/Rex Tremendae/I Saw The World's End
9. Salvation In Flame/Confutatis
10. Finale: Hangman's Hymn/In Paradisum/Das Ende
Review: Japan’s Sigh is known to mix things up with each album, but there’s no question about it that their style of metal can be considered avant-garde. Although their influences range from black metal to Japanese-style synthesizers, all of their albums have never been the same. However, their latest effort, Hangman’s Hymn, may be their first attempt on a concept album, but the final results are truly amazing.
Hangman’s Hymn undoubtedly surpasses their previous albums as this is their best album up to date and has the potential to become the year’s best. The theme behind Sigh’s concept album is about the “Requiem”; a liturgical service of the Roman Catholic Church that is usually associated with funeral processions. As a concept album, Hangman’s Hymn succeeds in continuity and has an epic feeling to the entire album.
Band leader Mirai Kawashima once again proves how versatile he is when it comes to making an album as he handles the vocals, orchestration, and keyboards of Hangman’s Hymn. Kawashima’s input to this album gives structure to their music while the rest of the band help in adding to the insanity and claustrophobic sounds. Also, guitarist Shinichi Ishikawa provides some solid guitar work as he mixes both black metal and drone elements to his work.
Just like their last album, Gallows Gallery, Hangman’s Hymn features a good number of guest musicians including Mike “Gunface” McKenzie of The Red Chord providing guitar solos for the track, “In Devil’s Arms”, and Aurielle Gregory of Giant Squid providing vocals for “Dies Irae/The Master Malice”. On the other hand, a stark difference between Gallows Gallery and Hangman’s Hymn is that the earlier album was produced in lo-fi, while Hangman’s Hymn switches back to a more hi-fi sound, but still maintains the drone-sounding guitars from Ishikawa found in many of Sigh’s albums.
Hangman’s Hymn is a definite high point for Sigh’s 17-year career, but one should wonder if they can go even higher with their potential follow up to Hangman’s Hymn.
Artist: Sigh
Title: Hangman' Hymn
Label: The End Records
Genre: Avant-Garde/Black Metal
Release Date: July 31, 2007
Tracklist:
Act I:
1. Introitus/Kyrie
2. Inked In Blood
3. Me-Devil
Act II:
4. Dies Irae/The Master Malice
5. The Memories As a Sinner
6. Death With Dishonour
7. In Devil's Arms
Act III:
8. Overture/Rex Tremendae/I Saw The World's End
9. Salvation In Flame/Confutatis
10. Finale: Hangman's Hymn/In Paradisum/Das Ende
Review: Japan’s Sigh is known to mix things up with each album, but there’s no question about it that their style of metal can be considered avant-garde. Although their influences range from black metal to Japanese-style synthesizers, all of their albums have never been the same. However, their latest effort, Hangman’s Hymn, may be their first attempt on a concept album, but the final results are truly amazing.
Hangman’s Hymn undoubtedly surpasses their previous albums as this is their best album up to date and has the potential to become the year’s best. The theme behind Sigh’s concept album is about the “Requiem”; a liturgical service of the Roman Catholic Church that is usually associated with funeral processions. As a concept album, Hangman’s Hymn succeeds in continuity and has an epic feeling to the entire album.
Band leader Mirai Kawashima once again proves how versatile he is when it comes to making an album as he handles the vocals, orchestration, and keyboards of Hangman’s Hymn. Kawashima’s input to this album gives structure to their music while the rest of the band help in adding to the insanity and claustrophobic sounds. Also, guitarist Shinichi Ishikawa provides some solid guitar work as he mixes both black metal and drone elements to his work.
Just like their last album, Gallows Gallery, Hangman’s Hymn features a good number of guest musicians including Mike “Gunface” McKenzie of The Red Chord providing guitar solos for the track, “In Devil’s Arms”, and Aurielle Gregory of Giant Squid providing vocals for “Dies Irae/The Master Malice”. On the other hand, a stark difference between Gallows Gallery and Hangman’s Hymn is that the earlier album was produced in lo-fi, while Hangman’s Hymn switches back to a more hi-fi sound, but still maintains the drone-sounding guitars from Ishikawa found in many of Sigh’s albums.
Hangman’s Hymn is a definite high point for Sigh’s 17-year career, but one should wonder if they can go even higher with their potential follow up to Hangman’s Hymn.