Pitchfork today is hosting an exclusive premiere of “Purgatorium” from legendary extreme metal enigmas SIGH. The track comes off the band’s ninth new studio offering entitled In Somniphobia, set for North America release this Tuesday, March 13 via Candlelight Records. The 11-track work of maniacal genius features guest appearances from Massacre’s Kam Lee and Meads Of Asphodel’s Metatron as well as cover illustration by renowned artist Eliran Kantor (Atheist, Testament).
Check out “Purgatorium” now at THIS LOCATION.
Founded in 1990 in Tokyo, Japan, SIGH is known for their wildly unorthodox approach to music, and continue to raise eyebrows with their latest output. Their most musically varied and plainly enthralling recording to date, In Somniphobia incorporates everything from heavy metal, classical, jazz, traditional Indian music, Stockhausen, and Xenakis into a enticing concoction of terror. In a 4/5 review, About.com comments “Every SIGH record has been its own creative discovery for the metal community, and In Somniphobia is another obtuse record that should find a following from people who like their music weirder than usual.” Revolver gave the record a 4.5/5 rating noting: “There is nothing wrong with cracking metal’s mold if the progression is done well, and SIGH have done that, creating a vivid nightmare beyond simple conception,” while Metal Review shared the sentiment with an 8.5/10 score: “In Somniphobia is a vast cornucopia of peculiarity, a rich tapestry of things going slightly wrong, and it makes for a captivating and unforgettable listen.”
And in case you missed it, you can check out the band’s video for “Far Beneath The In-Between,” hosted by Decibel Magazine last month at THIS LOCATION.
SIGH Lineup:
Mirai Kawashima – vocals, keyboards
Shinichi Ishikawa – guitar
Satoshi Fujinami – bass
Junichi Harashima – drums
Dr. Mikannibal – saxophone, vocals
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