Sigh
Formed: 1990
From:
Tokyo,
Japan
Last Known Status: Active
Sigh Interviews and Features
Below are our features and interviews with Sigh.
Interview
Sigh Frontman On New Album, Drugs And Old Ads
Many bands strive for commercial success, others work for respect. Then there are the true artists, who simply create to express themselves, regardless of what anyone else thinks. Some examples would be Tom G. Warrior of Triptykon (and ex Celtic Frost/Hellhammer,) Lou Reed and in today's case, Mirai Kawashima of Sigh. The Japanese band has been challenging preconceptions about music and art since their debut, "Scorn Defeat" was released in 1993, with subsequent albums such as "Imaginary Sonicscape," "Gallows Gallery" and "Hangman's Hymn," as well the superb 2015 release, "Graveward" surprising listeners at every turn.
Three years on from "Graveward" and fans are in for another shock with the release of, "Heir To Despair" on November 16th through Candlelight. The record is completely different from the previous effort, boasts a guest appearance from Phil Anselmo and most importantly, is a strong artistic and personal statement. I had the honour of having my questions answered by the band's vocalist and leader Mirai Kawashima who discussed "Heir To Despair," his insistence that fans will hate the record and the influence drug advertisements had on the artwork.
Diamond Oz: Thank you for taking the time to speak to us. Obviously the first place to start is with the new album, "Heir To Despair." You maintained for months that fans would hate the album. Why is this?
Mirai Kawashima: There is no other reason than I have been feeling so. It's not a part of promotion plan or anything. I just mean it. This is 100% my personal album. This album is not meant to please anybody including the band members. I am quite sure the other members do not get what it is about, either. So far "Homo Homini Lupus" has been published and people say they liked it, but this song is a big exception. This does not have an Asian feel or flute, which is a feature of the album. Other songs do not sound anything like HHL. If you liked HHL, that means you'd hate rest of the album.
Oz: There is a trilogy of songs on the album entitled, "Heresy." Could you tell us more about this concept?
Mirai: Actually this trilogy is the main reason that I keep saying fans won't appreciate the album. It has nothing to do with metal. I myself do not know what they are. I just made those songs without thinking much. I just wanted to make something druggy and evil. For Heresy II and III, I tried to imagine how schizophrenic people see and hear this world. Heresy I was remixed by David Harrow. He also remixed "The Tranquilizer Song" on "Gallows Gallery". David is one of the artists I truly respect. "Tantric Steps" by Technova, which is actually David, is one of the druggiest techno stuff I have ever heard. It's a genius work.More...
Interview
Bruce Lamont Discusses His New Solo Album
Most widely recognized for his saxophone and vocal work fronting Chicago act Yakuza, Bruce Lamont has also contributed to a wide-range of other diverse projects including Circle of Animals with Sanford Parker, Decayist with Blake Judd of Nachmystium, Sick Gazelle with Eric Block and Sanford Parker among many others. He's also known for contributing his skills to acts such as Sigh, East West Blast Test, Minsk, Nachtmystium, Rabid Rabbit, Poison Arrows, Sectara, Brutal Truth, Hex Machine and more, including a new project called Bloodiest as well as touring with Led Zeppelin tribute act Led Zeppelin II. On top of all that, Bruce is preparing to release his debut solo album "Feral Songs for the Epic Decline" (reviewed here).
Despite his extremely busy and hectic schedule, Bruce was kind enough to sit down with Metalunderground.com during a New York stop on his tour with Led Zeppelin II and discussed many things from his debut solo album to working with other bands and what inspires him to create music each and every day. More...
