SIGH „Gallows Gallery”

Music: Progressive/Psychedelic Black
Country: Japan
Website: http://www.infernalhorde.com/baphomet
Duration: 43.18


Cool Songs: Pale Monument, The Enlightenment Day, The Tranquilizer Song, Midnight Sun, Messiah Plan.

There’s some odd misinformation doing the rounds about this new ‘Sigh’ disc. Originally recorded in 2004 for the Century Media label, it was refused release due to its supposed dabbling in the infamous sonic weapon techniques experimented with during WWII (more commonly known as ‘The Philadelphia Experiment’ of 1943). Huh? Did CM seriously believe that anyone who listened to this album would be transported to another dimension? As most Sigh fans would know, this bands music does a pretty good job of that anyway, sonic weaponry or not. Whatever the case, CM bailed and Red Stream/Baphomet picked up the tab. Incredibly though, even with ‘Gallow’s Gallery’ on the streets, it will also be released by Candlelight in late October for Europe and the rest of the world. No big deal; happens all the time. The difference here is what will it sound like?

For Sigh aficionados (a group of people that I certainly don’t classify myself to be part of), most will be aware of the band particularly high production standards. Certainly albums like 2001’s ‘Imaginary Sonicscape’ and 99’s ‘Scenario IV’ were immaculately crafted pieces of extreme psychedelic metal. As for ‘Gallow’s Gallery’, well, it immediately hits you for all the wrong reasons. Well, one reason in fact; Production. Everything else about ‘GG’ is pure Sigh genius, but as to whether this is the ‘real’ final product in terms of sound and production we will have to wait and see what version Candlelight unveils. However, if this is as good as it gets, there is cause to be a little disappointed in the ‘quality control’ that has been ill-afforded to this album.

I’ve never actually been a massive proponent of the whole ‘Sigh’ fuck with your head trippiness. Yet, I’m a huge prog-rock/metal fan and while I appreciate the prolific experimentation and vast array of eclectic instrumentation that Mirai Kawashima and his band employ, there’s just something about Sigh I just don’t get. Having said that, and recognising the stifling production that buries much of the magic laid down here, ‘Gallows Gallery’ sounds (the trip-hop dub-like ‘Tranquilizer Song’ aside) like a much more straight forward, 80’s metal (Venom/Motorhead) inspired Sigh album to me. Of course, straight forward for Sigh means complex and difficult to 90% of the rest the metal community. But, in all honesty, there is a real melodic sense about the material written here – it appears to be more riff and lead oriented and much more energetic than their previous material. The experimentation is still there, but musically on the whole ‘GG’ has a real ‘up’, almost sing-a-long feel about it.

Punters will also recognise the vocal changes that Mirai has made – gone is his black metal snarl only to be replaced by a cleaner singing style. For me it works well. Mirai has also dispensed with his bass guitar duties, handing the role over to former drummer Satoshi Fujinama. This leaves Mirai to concentrate solely on his vocals and those myriad of otherworldly keyboard effects. Understanding this, it is worth noting that the Hammond/Minimoog organ is as omnipresent as the guitar lies on ‘GG’ and decidedly more prominent in the mix for that matter. Saxophonist Bruce Lamont (Yakuza) also gets a fair run throughout adding more considerable depth to the whole album. It’s a pity that the production is so uninspired.

The guest appearances of several notable metal names also grace this album. For the record we are treated to guitar solos from Gus G. (Firewind, ex-Dream Evil), Niklas Sundin (Dark Tranquility), Gunface (The Red Chord) and Paul Groundwell (Thine). Furthermore we have voices and narration sections from Killjoy (Necrophagia) and Metatron (Meads of Asphodel). Each individual is credited within the booklet and specifically noted on each track so you can easily listen to their parts without trying to work out who is doing what. The accompanying booklet, art work, lyrics and liner notes is most impressive.

As much as I may have painted ‘GG’ production in an unfavourable light, it’s not horrendous by any means. It’s just far and away from the sonic heights we expect from this band. The lifeless drumming mix probably suffers the most, but overall, the more you listen to ‘GG’ the more it grows on you. I like this a lot. Still, the problem remains – is this the final mix? It’s hard to believe that the band was totally happy with it. It’s also hard to believe that there could be two ‘different’ sounding ‘GG’ discs available in a month’s time. Surely not.

note: Quote: 8

Tracklist

Pale Monument
In a Drowse
The Enlightenment Day
Confession to be Buried
The Tranquilizer Song
Midnight Sun
Silver Universe
Gavotte Grim
Messiah Plan
–
The Tranquilizer Song (David Harrow Mix)