Sigh — Ghastly Funeral Theatre ( 2CD)

First released in 1997, Ghastly Funeral Theatre was the beginning of Sigh’s shift into more avant-garde/experimental black metal. It was originally released as an EP, but here on Peaceville is a recent two-CD reissue of the release. On the first disc, there’s the original six-track EP, and on the second disc are seventeen tracks- bringing together a fascinating selection of covers, unreleased/ rough mixes, and promo tracks.

The two CD’s come presented in a clear jewel case, with an eight-page booklet. This takes in the tracks' lyrics. And a four-page interview with lead songwriter Mirai Kawashima by Dayal Patterson, who penned the definitive book on Black metal, The Cult Never Dies.

So on the first disc, we have the original six-track EP- it opens with a short instrumental track, bringing together whooshing wind sound, and sinisterly jaunting keyboard lines, which sound like they could have graced the score to an Italian horror film score.The first proper track is “Shingontachikawa” which blends NWOBHM-meets Slayer influenced BM- with moments of call & respond vocals, tolling piano keys/ sassy sax tones, wailing harmony vocals, and 70’s singer/songwriter keys & guitars vibe with a straight rock guitar soloing. As we move through the Ep, we have “Imiuta” which starts with just bounding/ clearing/ forthright piano work- later bringing in cinematic synth strings/orchestration pomp. On “Shikigami” the longest track here at nearly six and a half minutes, we shift from slugging Vemon-like riffing, doomed guitar chuggings, 80’s twin guitar metal dwell- with an undercurrent of bounding pianos, twinkling to beeping sound effects, and touches of synth orchestration. Ghastly Funeral Theatre is really a very daring record, which I can imagine well & truly threw/ puzzled BM fans back in the day.

The second disc takes in seventeen tracks- bringing together covers, unreleased/ rough mixes, and promo tracks. On the cover side, go from the band’s loose & shambling cover of Venom's “Black Metal”. Onto their take on John Coltrane's “Spiritual” with its mix of galloping raw guitar bay, Hammond organ weaves, bass-bound timpi hits, and waving synth string swoon. On the unreleased/ rough/ promo side, we have “Doman Seman” which blends BM vocals, jaunting keys, acoustic guitar strum, and tuneful monk vocals. “My Funeral Begins” is all melodramatic cascading piano keys and synth pad choirs. On “The Horror” we find snapping and bounding electronic drums, piano key stab, synth bass pulse, and swirling synth string chaos. And on “Unreleased” we find a blend of building/ epic martial percussion, synth orchestration, pomp, moody tolling piano keys, and wishful piping’s.

In conclusion, even if you already have this EP in another form, it’s well worth picking up this two-disc set, as across the second disc, there are some wonderful unheard moments/ as well as different takes on known material, and a good selection of often creative covers.