Sigh - Scorn Defeat (1993)

During their twenty year run, the Japanese weirdos in Sigh have proven to be one of the most interesting and diverse groups to emerge within the metal underground. Constantly changing and at times going out of their way to be just plain odd, Sigh is truly a must hear band.

Their debut, 'Scorn Defeat' was originally released on Euronymous' Deathlike Silence Productions shortly after the legends murder in late 1993 and has been re-issued a number of times with additional bonus tracks and variant cover artworks. Personally I own the 2000 version, which has a cover artwork that features some giant Japanese demon monster clubbing people and raping the land, but honestly I like the original and much simpler cover that has Shinichi decked out in black metal gear with katana in hand whilst his other is set ablaze. You know it fucking rules.

Anyway, on this '93 debut Sigh's sound was still within the black metal genre, though curiously they hardly sound Norwegian or Swedish in any way, shape or form and in fact manage to create a sound that's mostly of their own. The music moves at a mostly mid-paced speed with very little usage of frantic riffing or blast beat driven percussion, while at the same time ominous keyboards, piano and occasional clean chanting pop up throughout the album. Hints of thrash and doom metal also run their course and some obvious nods to Venom and Hellhammer are also present.

'Gundali' is one of the albums highlights and features just a synth backing while Mirai speaks in a sinister tone almost creating the effect of some sort of ritualistic sacrifice. The song then concludes with an absolutely beautiful piano ending, which always takes me by surprise when I listen to this album. 'Ready for the Final War' really seems to draw from that Venom and Hellhammer vault of sound I mentioned earlier, though the keys add a slightly more unique flavor to this particular one. 'At my Funeral' is probably my favorite song as it's another mid-paced piece that has a superb piano riff, which pops up numerous times and at least for me adds a strange sort of catchiness to the song.

Although this album is just a mere glimpse of what Sigh would soon become, I think I still favor it over most everything else they've done. Don't get me wrong though as I've found all of their work to be great, but some of the stuff from the late 90's is almost uncomfortably weird. So, I suppose that's why I appreciate the old school vibe this record holds so much.

If you've never heard Sigh then definitely give them a chance as they truly are one of the most enduring and avantgarde metal bands to ever exist.