Name: Shiki
Brand: Sigh

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

CDVILEF948

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Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music US

Limited edition

Release date

2022-08-26

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier US

Orchard

Tax rate US

Sales:8.875

UPC / Barcode

801056894823

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Total Cap

1 / CD / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

Sigh

Genre US

Metal

Label US

Peaceville

<p>Avantgarde black metal band Sigh was formed in 1989 in Japan by Mirai (voice, bass, keyboard), Satoshi (guitar) and Kazuki (drums). Inspired by Venom and other '80s thrash bands, Sigh soon adopted the European approach of black metal. Gaining the interest of Norwegian mastermind Euronymous, they signed with Deathlike Silence Productions. Their debut album "Scorn Defeat" gained international underground respect and allowed them to progress and continue recording intelligent releases. With their unique noises and compositions insanity, Sigh became popular in the underground scene and beyond.</p>

<p>Their later albums "Hail Horror Hail", "Scenario IV: Dread Dreams" and "Imaginary Sonicscape" brought even greater success. The current line-up consists of Mirai Kawashima on vocals, keyboards, orchestrations; Dr. Mikannibal on alto saxophone and vocals; Satoshi Fujinami on bass; Shinichi Ishikawa on guitar; Junichi Harashima on drums.</p>

Cult Japanese black metal legends Sigh formed in 1989/90, featuring mainman Mirai Kawashima, Satoshi Fujinami &amp; Kazuki Ozeki. Following initial demos, Shinichi Ishikawa was brought in &amp; Sigh set about recording the masterpiece debut ‘Scorn Defeat’ for Euronymous’ Deathlike Silence Productions, going on to become one of the country’s greatest &amp; most revered metal exports. With a journey through the strange &amp; the psychedelic, incorporating a whole eclectic mix of genre styles &amp; experimentation throughout their career, Sigh has remained a vital creative force in the avantgarde field whilst maintaining their old school roots.

‘Shiki’ marks the latest chapter in the Sigh legacy &amp; includes some of the band’s heaviest &amp; darkest material for some years; a fine hybrid of at times primitive black metal akin to early influences such as Celtic Frost amid more epic melodic heavy metal riffing &amp; solos. The album also utilises a whole host of instruments to give further texture &amp; dynamics to the compositions &amp; eerie atmosphere, incorporating traditional oriental instruments such as the Shakuhachi &amp; Sinobue flutes.

The word "Shiki" itself has various meanings in Japanese such as four seasons, time to die, conducting an orchestra, ceremony, motivation, colour. The two primary themes for the album are "four seasons" &amp; "time to die".

The concept &amp; artwork is based around a traditional Japanese poem &amp; on ‘Shiki’, Mirai explores how at this stage of life he himself is going through Autumn, with Winter coming soon &amp; so empathises with the contrasting sentimental feelings from watching cherry blossoms (a symbol of spring) in full bloom.

Joining Mirai &amp; Dr Mikannibal for this release are Frédéric Leclercq of Kreator, plus US drummer extraordinaire, Mike Heller of Fear Factory, along with an appearance by long-time member Satoshi Fujinami on bass. ‘Shiki’ was recorded across multiple studios &amp; mixed &amp; mastered by Lasse Lammert at LSD studios in Germany.

This edition of 'Shiki' is presented in a gatefold sleeve, on black vinyl.