Sigh’s debut single from their newest album, Goh-Ka, is a melodic folk metal track that is a pleasant shock to listeners. The song, “Unputenpu”, features a guest guitar solo by Mikael Åkerfeldt of Opeth, which adds to the song’s accessibility and melodic sound. The band’s ability to transition to a more commercially viable sound without losing their unique energy is a thrill, and bodes well for the upcoming record. The song’s use of Japanese traditional instrumentation and pronounced sing-song melodicism makes it a standout track.
The atmosphere of “Unputenpu” is reminiscent of Turisas, a now-defunct folk metal band that incorporated death metal elements into their sound. However, Sigh’s sound is inverted, with a band that was previously known for being bizarre and avant-garde suddenly finding a clear and direct melodicism. The fact that Åkerfeldt’s solo is a harmonization traditional heavy metal solo is also a shock, with lots of UFO and Scorpions vibes rather than anything extreme or proggy.
Sigh’s ability to transition to a sound that feels suddenly so commercially viable and approachable without losing their grandiloquent mad-genius energy is an absolute thrill and bodes well for the upcoming record. It’s our Heavy Song of the Week.
Honorable Mentions
Judiciary – “Wall of Skulls” is a metallic hardcore track that marries a death metal forcefulness to beatdown hardcore, creating a song that is hard to ignore. The song’s deliberate crafting and mission-oriented writing make it a standout track that will have listeners headbanging and moshing.
Krallice – “Living Useless Ritual” is a thrilling track that balances extreme metal and progressive rock elements. The band’s songwriting has become more eventful and hooky over time, finding a perfect balance between spaciousness and density. Their ability to balance intense intellectualism and direct feral attack makes them a unique and exciting band to listen to.
TEMIC – “Ceased to Be” is a prog metal song that is incredibly catchy and grooving, with a complex time signature that is impressive and rare. The song features players from the Neal Morse Band, Haken, and 22, and sees the relationship between djent and prog metal restored, bringing huge melodies alongside gnarly rhythms. This is an absolute beast of a song that showcases the band’s mastery and chops.
In conclusion, this week’s Heavy Song of the Week and honorable mentions showcase a range of exciting and unique sounds in the metal and hardcore genres. From Sigh’s melodic folk metal to Judiciary’s metallic hardcore, Krallice’s progressive metal, and TEMIC’s prog metal, there’s something for every fan of heavy music to enjoy. These songs demonstrate the diversity and creativity of the genre, and are a must-listen for anyone looking to discover new and exciting music.
Pixel P. Snarkbyte, widely regarded as the “Shakespeare of Sh*tposts,” is a video game expert with a unique knack for turning pixels into punchlines.
Born in the small town of Respawn, Pennsylvania, Pixel grew up mashing buttons on an ancient NES controller, firmly believing that “blowing into the cartridge” was a sacred ritual passed down through generations.
Pixel P. Snarkbyte: proving that life, much like a buggy open-world game, is better with a little lag-induced chaos.
