GRAVEWARD

"Graveward" is the 10th full-length studio album by Japanese extreme metal act Sigh. The album was released through Candlelight Records in April 2015. It´s the successor to "In Somniphobia" from 2012. Formed in 1990 Sigh is widely considered one of the leading extreme metal acts from Japan. They´ve gone through several musical phases, and have experimentet a lot with their sound, but has always maintained a basis of blackened thrash/speed/heavy metal.

That´s also the case on "Graveward", which reeks old school heavy metal, thrash- and speed metal, but combines those vintage musical elements with an avant garde approach. Again that´s what we´ve come to expect from Sigh, and in that respect "Graveward" is just another day at the office for Sigh. But when that is said Sigh as usual twists their core style, and makes sure that their listeners leave the listening session with an expression of surprise on their faces. "What the Hell just happened There"?

Keyboards/synths/organ played in symphonic style, hard rock style, and eerie horror effect style, raspy aggressive vocals complimented by higher pitched power/traditional heavy metal vocals, and occasional use of operatic female vocals, handclaps, programming/samples, saxophone, neoclassical leanings/themes, melodic guitar solos, and some lounge jazz sections, just to mention some of the features which compliment the more traditional heavy/speed/thrash metal basis of the band´s sound. It´s often arranged in a multi-layered style, which keeps the listener on his/her toes. The core of the band´s sound isn´t that complex, but the clever and quite challenging arrangements are intricate to say the least. The surprising combination of elements and styles sometimes leaves the listener in bewilderment. For example on "The Tombfiller", which sounds a bit like Yngwie Malmsteen meets Venom put through an avant garde grinder, or "The Casketburner" which is also a highly eclectic track.

The musicianship is on a high level. It´s all very organic, and even when the drums play something almost painfully simple and the guitar riffs play a rather generic speed/heavy metal riff, you always have the feeling, that these guys are consciously holding back and just having fun. They are completely in control of the stylistic elements required for the various sections of their music.

"Graveward" is a well produced album with a pretty raw and organic sound on the bass, guitars, and drums, while all things on top of the basic instruments aren´t as old school produced. Upon conclusion "Graveward" is yet another high quality release by Sigh. It´s an album you can listen to multible times, and still find new details, but it´s still hard rocking enough to not become too intellectual for it´s own good. Sigh as always strike a good balance between old school heavy/speed/thrash metal and avant garde. A 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.