Cult Japanese black metal legends Sigh formed in 1989/90, featuring mainman Mirai Kawashima, Satoshi Fujinami and Kazuki Ozeki. Their masterful debut Scorn Defeat became one of the country’s greatest and most revered metal exports.

With a journey through the strange and the psychedelic, incorporating a whole eclectic mix of genres, styles and experimentation throughout their career, Sigh has remained a vital creative force in the avant garde field. However, at its core, Sigh has always remained true to its roots of old school metal. With a deep appreciation for the black metal masters of the eighties such as Celtic Frost and Venom, Sigh would weave intricate keyboard textures and skilled piano composition courtesy of Mirai Kawashima among the Frost-fuelled riffing to create an atmospherically distinctive and dark sound.

The lyrical content was also unusual for the time, incorporating strong elements of occultism and eastern mysticism to differentiate them somewhat from their Scandinavian peers.

Scorn Defeat was originally released in 1993 after the band had signed to Mayhem guitarist Euronymous’ emerging Deathlike Silence Productions, with the album eventually surfacing following his death (and also dedicated in his honour).

Mirai Kawashima, Sigh mainman comments “Scorn Defeat is a magical album. Now we are more mature musicians with much more knowledge about music and better playing ability, but (or maybe I should say ‘therefore’) if we re-recorded it now, the album wouldn’t sound any better, as all the magic would be lost. What delights me the most is that the album we recorded almost thirty years ago is still loved and being newly re-released like this, which we never expected back then. This special release makes me proud and makes my life as a musician something meaningful”.

The reissue – slated to drop on August 28th -includes bonus rare demo and rough mix tracks and a full live show, plus a booklet interview with Mirai Kawashima; it will also be available as a single LP on 180g white vinyl and digitally.

SCORN DEFEAT – FORMAT TRACKLISTINGS

SCORN DEFEAT – 2CD
DISC 1
A Victory of Dakini
The Knell
At My Funeral
Gundali
Ready for the Final War
Weakness Within
Taste Defeat
The Knell (Rough mix with one guitar)
At My Funeral (Rough mix with one guitar)
Taste Defeat (Rough mix with one guitar)

DISC 2
The Knell Version 2 (Scorn Defeat demo)
A Victory of Dakini (Scorn Defeat demo)
Third Eye (Scorn Defeat demo)
The Knell (Scorn Defeat demo)
Gundali / Teacher’s Pet (20th Anniversary Live Show)
Taste Defeat (20th Anniversary Live Show)
The Knell (20th Anniversary Live Show)
Desolation (20th Anniversary Live Show)
Countless Bathory (20th Anniversary Live Show)
Weakness Within (20th Anniversary Live Show)
A Victory of Dakini (20th Anniversary Live Show)
Schizo (20th Anniversary Live Show)
Evil Dead (20th Anniversary Live Show)
Witching Hour (20th Anniversary Live Show)

SCORN DEFEAT – LP (exclusive white vinyl)
Side A
A Victory of Dakini
The Knell
At My Funeral
Gundali

Side B
Ready for the Final War
Weakness Within
Taste Defeat

SCORN DEFEAT – DIGITAL VERSION
A Victory of Dakini
The Knell
At My Funeral
Gundali
Ready for the Final War
Weakness Within
Taste Defeat
Gundali / Teacher’s Pet (20th Anniversary Live Show)
Taste Defeat (20th Anniversary Live Show)
The Knell (20th Anniversary Live Show)
Desolation (20th Anniversary Live Show)
Countess Bathory (20th Anniversary Live Show)
Weakness Within (20th Anniversary Live Show)
A Victory of Dakini (20th Anniversary Live Show)
Schizo (20th Anniversary Live Show)
Evil Dead (20th Anniversary Live Show)
Witching Hour (20th Anniversary Live Show)