SIGH, from Tokyo, Japan have crafted an eviscerating piece of music that, if you have the intestinal fortitude, is guaranteed to have you banging your head in true metal glory, ready to don the robes and join their cult.

From the first track "Introitus/Kyrie" it is apparent that these guys know their black metal. Synths and a fierce snare drum drop right into a thrashing, double bass drum killer, full of harshly screamed vocals and a refrain of "Born again! Born again!". Incredibly technical guitar work and an orchestral punch of violins work their way deep into the mind, only pausing to up the ante with a stomach churning breakdown. Solos fly out of the speakers like banshees intent on feasting upon your tattered flesh. Things are, dare I say, looking good.

The fun doesn't stop there. SIGH continue the attack, flourishing their metal with MR BUNGLE-like carnival sounds on the next track "Inked in Blood". Clean vocals mix with typical death metal vocal delivery. Even chanting and cookie monster vocals make appearances, keeping things from falling into a vat of sameness that is a frequent pitfall for extreme metal. More synths and complex guitar work battle for the crown, making every track bear a towering feel that is both soaring and appropriately grim. The guitar work is reminiscent of some of DEATH's later work and should have fans of that style drooling in no time. Maniacal laughter punctuates here and there, while evil synth induced primate sounds beckon further madness.

SIGH have created an epic orchestral style black metal album, rife with thrash and death elements, that flirts with disaster at every turn, but comes out stronger and more dangerous with each song. Somewhere, the Dark Lord is smiling.

- Blend 77

OFFICIAL SITE: http://sigh.gospel-virus.net

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