Sigh

Led since 1989 by multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Mirai Kawashina, Sigh is a Japanese metal band from Tokyo. Singer, keyboardist, programmer, bassist and arranger, Mirai Kawashima originally joined forces with Satoshi Fujinami (bass, guitar) and Kazuki Ozeki (drums) to form Sigh. Initially rooted in black metal, but soon recognized for their experimental and eclectic approach to the genre, Sigh attracted the attention of Mayhem leader Euronymous, who signed the band to his Deathlike Silence Productions label for the release of their debut album, Scorn Defeat (1993). Blending raw black metal, atmospheric keyboards and classical influences, the album marks the start of a discography in which each album pushes stylistic boundaries. Over the years, Sigh has incorporated elements of classical, jazz, psychedelic, electronic and even traditional Japanese music into extreme metal, with constant inventiveness. The band followed up with Infidel Art (1995) and Hail Horror Hail (1997), the latter heralding a more avant-garde direction, confirmed by Scenario IV: Dread Dreams (1999) and above all Imaginary Sonicscape (2001), hailed as a key work of experimental metal. Sigh continued with Gallows Gallery (2005), Hangman's Hymn (2007), Scenes from Hell (2010), In Somniphobia (2012), Graveward (2015), Heir to Despair (2018) and Shiki (2022), the latter heavily influenced by themes of death and Japanese traditions. Mirai Kawashima remains the band's central figure, often accompanied by his partner Dr. Mikannibal (saxophone, throat vocals), who has been with the group since 2007. In 2022, guitarist Nozomu Wakai succeeds You Oshima, who had himself replaced Shinichi Ishikawa in 2014. Under this new incarnation, the trio recorded the album I Saw the World's End - Hangman's Hymn MMXXV, released in 2025.

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