SIGH

Oh yes. Oh yay. This is a deliciously messed-up band, and they confirm one of my most basic theories - namely that original metal music is disappearing at an incredible pace, and the only way you'll find a truly distictive example of the genre is to look around the most obscure scenes.

They're Japanese. This is a good start, largely because they approach their music in much the same way they would approach a Honda scooter - tacit creativity. It is widely accepted that Black metal shouldn't have mellotrons, saxophones and bizarre string sections, but if you're Japanese, you often get away with it because people expect you to behave strangely.

Unlike most Japanese bands who avoid alienating their fans by producing incredibly crappy pop music (think Daphne and Celeste, only with high-pitched voices and over-blown production), Sigh really couldn't give a toss about alienating their support. They produce bold, exciting, warped records with an eclectic mix of just about every musical style going. Sometimes it's black metal, sometimes it's prog-rock, and in really weird moments, sometimes it borders on sounding like Atomic Rooster.

Trouble is, for the more pathetic critics who need to categorise people, all these style changes often happen in the same song. Mirai Kawashima, the singer, doesn't just opt for the eclectic in the music he makes; he opts for it in the company he keeps too (Miral and the Meads of Asphodel have regularly collaborated on each other's albums.)

If you want to hear a real modern metal classic, stick 'Imaginary Sonicscape' or 'Gallows Gallery' in your stereo. I guarantee that even people who don't really like metal will not be disappointed. A compliation will follow shortly for those who wish to give them a try. :)