SIGH to tour Europe again this August after last year’s summer run

A couple of the members of SIGH (in total there are three people in the photo), including founder Mirai Kawashima (dressed in black) and Dr. Mikannibal (dressed in traditional clothing but edited it in wearing it off the shoulders and with a bloody face), standing next to each other, two of the are holding swords while all are looking into the direction of the photographer. Behind them is a big tapestry or mural with the album cover of "Shiki".

In recent years, metal veterans SIGH have been a regular sight in Europe, both at festivals and club shows. This year, the extperimental metal band from Tokyo has once again scheduled European performances, including several shows at festivals such as Brutal Assault and Hellsinki Metal Fest. SIGH’s European tour is scheduled for August and will include eleven shows in seven countries.

During most club shows, the band will be joined by various support acts. On the first tour date, they will share the stage at Backstage with Finnish psychedelic black metal band Oranssi Pazuzu and American experimental metal band Imperial Triumphant. A show with the Swedish-Dutch black metal band Dödsrit is also planned in Germany. Imperial Triumphant will also accompany SIGH during several performances in Austria, Germany and Switzerland.

Although they are known as one of the most renowned black metal bands from Japan, over the years they have developed into one of the most innovative bands in that genre. Despite their excursions into experimental sounds, SIGH consistently retained the chaotic atmosphere characteristic of black metal, while also adding other aspects to their music such as traditional Japanese musical instruments and influences from Central Asia and the Middle East. This month saw the release of a completely re-recorded version of SIGH’s album Hangman’s Hymn (2007), the metal band’s first concept album. This record is titled I Saw the World’s End (Hangman’s Hymn MMXXV) and commemorates SIGH’s 35th anniversary. The band is very open to their fans on social media, mostly kept active by vocalist and keyboardist Mirai Kawashima, asking for opinions, sharing personal stories and funny comments in addition to the normal news a band normally shares.

SIGH European Tour 2025 Dates

Monday 04 August, 2025: Free & Easy at Backstage – München, Germany ***
Tuesday 05 August, 2025: Rockhouse – Salzburg, Austria *
Wednesday 06 August, 2025: Brutal Assault – Jaromer, Czechia
Friday 08 August, 2025: Vortex – Siegen, Germany **
Saturday 09 August, 2025: Hellsinki Metal Fest – Helsinki, Finland
Sunday 10 August, 2025: Bi Nuu – Berlin, Germany *
Monday 11 August, 2025: Naumanns – Leipzig, Germany *
Tuesday 12 August, 2025: Kesselhaus – Wiesbaden, Germany *
Wednesday 13 August, 2025: Exil Club – Zürich, Switzerland *
Thursday 14 August, 2025: Frantic Festival – Francavilla, Italy
Friday 15 August, 2025: Midgardsblot – Horden, Norway

* Imperial Triumphant
** Dödsrit
*** Imperial Triumphant and Oranssi Pazuzu

Source: SIGH

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Francisca/Seraphinne

Never satisfied, always exploring. Started with AVO in 2003. Now active as a writer, reporter, reviewer, promoter, photographer, interviewer and presenter. Can be found regularly at conventions and concerts in the Netherlands and sometimes elsewhere in Europe or even in Japan. Big passion for Japan and music, can be made happy with coffee. (click on Soundcloud logo)