Japanese metal pioneers SIGH have returned with “Unputenpu”, the first single from their forthcoming studio album, “Goh-ka”. Accompanying the release is a striking new music video crafted by acclaimed visual artist Costin Chioreanu.
Speaking about the new track, SIGH frontman and mastermind Mirai Kawashima said: “Honestly, I have no idea at all how the song sounds to other people. Shuffle is the world-widely used rhythm and Japan is no exception. I’ve been using this rhythm in the songs like ‘Shikigami’, ‘Ecstatic Transformation’ and ‘Midnight Sun’ but I guess I have completed my own Japanese style on ‘Unputenpu’. The guitar lead by Mikael Åkerfeldt from OPETH definitely gives another boost to the song.
“‘Unputenpu’ expresses the idea that whether a person is blessed with good fortune or struck by misfortune is determined by God’s will, the will of heaven, fate or something totally beyond our control and we cannot do anything to change it. Anyone could die today or lose somebody you love. Life can be cruel any time. The song is based on my personal experience but I don’t want to talk about the details…”.
“Goh-ka” stands as another ambitious chapter in SIGH’s career, blending immersive atmosphere, remarkable technical precision, and intricately crafted compositions filled with metallic grandeur. According to band leader Mirai Kawashima, the album is every bit as personal as “Shiki”, both in its musical direction and lyrical themes.
Musically, “Goh-ka” draws inspiration from a unique mix of influences. Imagine combining the spirit of CELTIC FROST, VOIVOD, BLACK SABBATH, Japanese culture, and classic horror films into a single creation, then enriching it with elements of psychedelic rock, progressive rock, and classical music. The result is an expansive, genre-defying album that unfolds across nearly an hour of adventurous and highly distinctive music.
The title “Goh-ka” carries three interconnected meanings: the infernal flames that consume sinners, the apocalyptic fire destined to engulf the world at the end of time, and the concept of karma. These themes are woven throughout the album, whose central inspiration is “Kuso-zu”—a traditional series of Buddhist paintings illustrating the nine stages of a human body’s decomposition after death.
Created to inspire reflection on the impermanence of life, the certainty of death, and the futility of attachment to physical beauty and worldly desires, “Kuso-zu” presents mortality in an unflinching and deeply symbolic way. No matter how beautiful or powerful a person may be, the paintings remind us that death and decay are inevitable. Complementing these works is “Kuso-shi”, a poem based on the same imagery and philosophy. In keeping with this concept, the artwork featured on the cover and throughout the booklet of “Goh-ka” is itself inspired by “Kuso-zu”, reinforcing the album’s profound thematic foundation.
Joining core members Mirai Kawashima and Dr. Mikannibal, alongside guitarist Nozomu Wakai, on “Goh-ka” are acclaimed bassist Frédéric Leclercq (KREATOR, DRAGONFORCE) and renowned American drummer Mike Heller (RAVEN, FEAR FACTORY), further strengthening the album’s formidable lineup.
The record also features several special guests, most notably OPETH frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt, who contributes a guest guitar solo to the track “Unputenpu”, adding another distinctive touch to the album’s ambitious musical landscape.
“Goh-ka” was recorded at several studios before once again being mixed and mastered by Lasse Lammert at LSD Studios in Germany, ensuring the album delivers the powerful and refined sound that has become a hallmark of SIGH’s recent releases.
“Goh-ka” track listing:
01. Kuso-shi 1, 2, and 3 (09:11)
02. Jigoku-Zoshi 1: Unkamusho (03:55)
03. Anzenshokon (06:24)
04. Kuso-shi 4, 5, and 6 (07:21)
05. Shoso (00:56)
06. Unputenpu (05:41)
07. Jinmenjushin (06:14)
08. Jigoku-Zoshi 2: Tokatsujigoku (03:06)
09. Kushukankyo (01:47)
10. Kuso-shi 7 (01:56)
11. Kuso-shi 8 and 9 / Mettaijakujo (11:23)
