Sigh to reissue classic 1997 albums ‘Ghastly Funeral Theatre’ & ‘Hail Horror Hail’
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Japanese black metal legends Sigh, formed in 1989/1990, are continuing Peaceville’s celebration of their early, influential works with reissues of their 1997 releases ‘Ghastly Funeral Theatre’ (23rd Jan 2026) and ‘Hail Horror Hail’ (27th Feb 2026), both presented on limited marble vinyl, newly mastered, and featuring exclusive inserts with interviews with band leader Mirai Kawashima.
Following their genre-defining debut Scorn Defeat (1993) on Euronymous’ Deathlike Silence Productions, Sigh has grown to become one of Japan’s most revered metal exports. Renowned for their eclectic, boundary-defying approach, the band has consistently fused dark, atmospheric black metal with avant-garde experimentation, psychedelia, and symphonic elements—a journey exemplified in their 2022 album, Shiki, and the 2025 reimagining of Hangman’s Hymn as I Saw the World’s End: Hangman’s Hymn MMXXV, celebrating the band’s 35th anniversary.
With the core trio of Mirai Kawashima, Shinichi Ishikawa, and Satoshi Fujinami, Sigh’s 1997 releases pushed their sound into bold new territories:
‘Ghastly Funeral Theatre’ saw the band embrace Eastern and horror-inspired atmospherics, incorporating non-metal instruments such as saxophone alongside acoustic passages. The EP’s experimental approach, sometimes drawing comparisons to The Beatles for its melodic hooks, remains one of Sigh’s most adventurous works.
‘Hail Horror Hail’ , their third full-length album, delivered a darker, more traditionally metallic experience, with epic, nightmare-inducing soundscapes exploring themes of murder and mortality. The album balanced atmospheric and symphonic elements with experimental flourishes, cementing its status as a horror-infused masterpiece.
Both releases have been remastered by Patrick Engel at Temple of Disharmony, using a new transfer from the original DAT sources, ensuring the sound is richer and more powerful than ever. Each edition also includes a new interview with Mirai Kawashima, conducted by Dayal Patterson of Cult Never Dies, in which he reflects on the albums’ creation, inspirations, and enduring legacy.
GHASTLY FUNERAL THEATRE: MARBLE VINYL LP, BLACK VINYL LP AND 2CD EDITION. (Release date: 23rd January 2026)
The 2CD edition includes an expansive selection of material from the time, from unreleased mixes of album tracks and rare cover songs, to the inclusion of the very rare ‘Funeral Theatre’ promo tape created by Mirai Kawashima in 1995.
Ghastly Funeral Theatre
Disc 1
Intro: Soushiki – 01:26
Shingontachikawa – 05:27
Doman Seman – 05:33
Imiuta – 03:14
Shikigami – 06:22
Outro: Higeki – 01:31
Disc 2 (CD ONLY)
The Shadowking (Vinyl Collectors LP) – 07:16
Black Metal (Vinyl Collectors LP) – 02:37
The Seven Gates Of Hell (Vinyl Collectors LP) – 04:33
Carnage (Vinyl Collectors LP) – 03:11
Spiritual (John Coltrane cover) – 02:46
Doman Seman (unreleased mix) – 05:33
Shikigami (unreleased mix – no sax) – 06:34
Shingontachikawa (unreleased mix) – 05:27
Shikigami (rough mix) – 06:22
Doman Seman (rough mix) – 05:30
My Funeral Begins (Funeral Theatre promo 95) – 01:07
Called From Beyond (Funeral Theatre promo 95) – 02:27
Night (Funeral Theatre promo 95) – 01:12
Angst (Funeral Theatre promo 95) – 02:13
The Horror (Funeral Theatre promo 95) – 02:05
In Solitude (Funeral Theatre promo 95) – 04:00
Unreleased (Funeral Theatre promo 95) – 06:04
PRE-ORDER GHASTLY FUNERAL THEATRE
HAIL HORROR HAIL: MARBLE VINYL LP, BLACK VINYL LP AND 2CD EDITION. (Release date: 27th February 2026)
The 2CD edition includes a bonus disc containing rough mixes of album tracks, plus other rarities, along with a new interview with main-man Mirai Kawashima conducted by Dayal Patterson of Cult Never Dies, with his thoughts and reflections on the album, the recording process, and the influences surrounding its creation.
Hail Horror Hail
Disc 1
Hail Horror Hail – 05:07
42 49 – 07:43
12 Souls – 06:56
Burial – 01:31
The Dead Sing – 07:15
Invitation To Die – 05:17
Pathetic – 02:21
Curse Of Izanagi – 06:02
Seed Of Eternity – 09:16
Disc 2 (CD ONLY)
Hail Horror Hail (rough mix) – 05:08
42 49 (rough mix) – 06:57
12 Souls (rough mix) – 04:38
The Dead Sing (rough mix) – 07:16
Invitation To Die (rough mix) – 05:02
Curse Of Izanagi (rough mix) – 05:59
Seed Of Eternity (rough mix) – 07:19
42 49 (rough mix, no vocals) – 07:01
Cremation (album outtake) – 02:24
Curse Of Izanagi (re-recorded version) – 03:24
