Four years after previous studio outing, Heir To Despair (Candlelight), Japanese avant-garde black metal act Sigh switch record labels once again and return with twelfth full length album Shiki (Peaceville). In their native language, the title translates into many different things such as ceremony, colour and motivation but the main themes present here are “four seasons” and “time to die”. A concept derived from a traditional Japanese poem, frontman Mirai Kawashima takes an existential approach to the seasons, watching cherry blossoms (a symbol of Spring) in full bloom while going through the Autumnal stage of his life with Winter just around the corner.
An eclectic mix of psychedelic and experimental black metal swathed in traditional far eastern influences, this latest journey into the unconventional begins precisely as you might or might not expect with brief, throat-singing introduction ‘Kuroi Inori’. However, it’s eight minute epic ‘Kuroi Kage’ where things kick off properly, the tumultuous opener harking back to the band’s early years as Celtic Frost meets smoky jazz and features a magnificent lurching riff strengthened by saxophonist Mika Kawashima (aka Dr Mikannibal). ‘Shoujahitsumetsu’ shows occasional moments of restraint before basically saying fuck it and tearing your face off, the song boasting one of a number of memorable guitar solos from current Kreator bassist and more than occasional shredder Frédéric Leclercq.
Enlisting the help of drummer Mike Heller for this release, the Fear Factory sticksman grabs centre stage on the percussive concussion of ‘Shikabane’ before ‘Satsui – Geshi no Ato’ creeps insidiously into your brain with its cinematic drama and ethereal electronica. The buzzsaw guitars of ‘Fuyu Ga Kuru’ are contrasted by a wonderful mood shift straight into seventies progressive rock territory which gives talented bassist Satoshi Fujinami more room to shine. Further highlighting the record’s constantly changing moods, the labyrinthine ‘Shouku’ possesses many different faces while interlude ‘Kuroi Kagami’ begins with rain and ends in smooth, sultry melodies.
Arguably the standout moment of the entire record, ‘Mayonaka no Kaii’ is based on a strange incident when Mirai claims to have experienced midnight twice in one night and features whistle screaming, throat singing, Hammond organ, a reworked Voivod riff and a shakuhachi flute solo likely to send you off into a deep dive of old Jethro Tull records. Instrumental ‘Touji no Asa’ brings the album to a close with traditional eastern atmospherics and delicate keys, the record coming full circle ready to be played in a continuous cycle forever.
Featuring some of their heaviest and darkest material for years, Shiki finds the band in top form, returning to their more primitive roots during some passages and increasingly thoughtful and experimental areas in others. Expertly played, supremely confident and completely unafraid to be itself, this latest offering by the masters of the avant-garde is another masterclass in the offbeat and extreme.
Buy the album here: https://sighpeaceville.lnk.to/Shiki
9 / 10
GARY ALCOCK