Sigh - I Saw the World's End - Hangman's Hymn MMXXV (2025)

As a re-recording and re-imagining of their 2007 masterpiece “Hangman's Hymn”, Sigh return with their usual madness, while giving this release a refresh with a (slightly) better production and infusion of their newer influences, elements, and band members. While we are great fans of the original version and its impact, at the given time, this refresh brings the album to a more modern context (in terms of the band) and will certainly appeal to any nostalgic fans.

Opening with “Introitus / Kyrie”, the band’s bombastic and explosive nature comes full center. The vocals are probably the element that was more updated, thanks to Dr. Mikannibal, which wasn’t on the original release. The second most noticeable upgrade is the shredding wizardry of Nozomu Wakai, who also wasn’t there the first time. The drums, handled by Mike Heller, also feature some improvements in terms of being more complex and pummeling when needed.

While we could go over each song and re-review that, we are a bit too close to loving the original version and just enjoying this re-recording. Yes, this is definitely an upgrade, and bangers like “Me-Devil”, “In Devil's Arms” and “Rex Tremendae / I Saw the World's End” sound better and more bombastic, but we still like the more ‘raw’ and organic first release. However, fans of the later stages of the band will certainly love how some of the band’s old songs are slightly refurbished and improved to more ‘modern standards’.

Label: Peaceville Records

Release: June 12th, 2025

Genre: Avant-garde Black Metal

Country: Japan