I ordered two different versions of the vinyl the moment the pre-order was up, but as soon as I heard Death With Dishonor I regretted that decision. I’m a bit of a fanboy and I own up to 10-11 different versions of one single Sigh album, and have never regretted buying something Sigh related, be it vinyls, tapes, CDs or merch. But this time? Would’ve canceled the order if it wasn’t for the other items I also ordered.
I’ll obviously play the re-recorded album on repeat as soon as I get it, and give it more than a fair chance, but I thought Death With Dishonor sounded pretty bad. It’s so polished it’s lost almost all identity, the unique Teutonic thrash elements are almost gone because of the drums and it just lacks everything that made the original so fresh, unique and a fan favorite.
Drum sound was straight up bad, and the drumming was just awful. It’s technically better, but doesn’t fit nearly as well with the riffs as the much simpler drumming of the original. Which was one of the best and most fitting drum performances I’ve ever heard. It was spot on and sounded a 100% Teutonic thrash, just like 80% of the riffs. When Sigh first released this album Mirai was so proud of how it was Teutonic thrash meets over the top, hellish symphonies, but as a Teutonic thrash fan he knows the drumming is as important to the classic German sound as the riffs and production. So it surprises me a lot that he decided to remove such an important element to that type of music.
But what surprised me the most was the symphonic elements, and especially the trumpet(?). They have somewhat replaced the cheap trumpets with real, human trumpets, yet they’ve made it sound less human and real. That’s just unbelievable to me. And that has to be down to the overpolished production. So weird.
But I’ll give it about 50 spins before making up my mind. Maybe everything will work better when I get to hear the whole thing and get used to the production and changes. Who knows.
I am also surprised he decided to re-record this, and not a few of the others which have actual downsides to them.
Scenario IV: Dread Dreams - weird production.
Gallows Gallery - super weird production. One of my all time favorite productions, but it sounds like they’ve recorded a heavy/power metal album in a studio that only knows lo-li garage rock/punk. Super weird, but super interesting. Works for me, but most are probably not satisfied with it. The remaster was not good at all.
Scenes From Hell - again, weird production. I love it and it truly gives the album a hellish and apocalyptic feeling, but I understand why people wouldn’t like it. I love it tho, one of my all time favorite productions.
Graveward - production is weak, and actually halters the experience quite a lot, but the performances are not quite there either. It’s well-written but poorly executed on most aspects. Still incredible tho.
These albums I could actually understand re-recording. But Hangman’s Hymn? Not a chance. It’s widely regarded as one of the best albums by most fans and one of their biggest moments. Nothing wrong with the performances or production. Weird to me, but oh well.
I think this one will take a little time for me too. It’s just different enough that it’s uncanny.
Heller is a great drummer and yet his blast beats here are kind of boring. I liked his work a lot more on Shiki.
But, like I said, I think it deserves some time to get used to.
I agree about Heller and Shiki. Great record, and his drumming was excellent there. But for me personally, the problem with his drumming on this new re-recording is that he overplays it. He treats it as if it is something it isn’t. Shiki is a much more eccentric, weird and out there-type of album that fits big plays and lots of fancy playing.
Still haven’t received my vinyls tho, so haven’t been able to get into this yet.
I’ve played this a few times now and I doubt I’ll reach 50, as I stated earlier. I think this is close to awful to be honest.
The drums? Overplayed and overproduced to a thousand. At times the drumming feels so disjointed from the riffs and symphonic elements that it sounds like Mike Heller hasn’t heard the material before laying down the drums, and only going after certain time stamps given by the band as to when there are changes or riffs starts/stops. One of the very worst drum performances I’ve ever heard. Again, I don’t think Heller is a bad drummer by any means. He’s technically superior to any other drummer Sigh have had, and he’s overall just incredible. There is no doubt about that. I just don’t think he does anything of value on this album.
Another thing I don’t like are the vocals. There’s way, way, way too much Mikannibal, and both she and Mirai are going for a very theatrical approach that neither of them are close to nailing. Sounds like a parody half them time. Just…ew.
And I don’t like the symphonic elements too much either. Like I said earlier, despite having more real instrumentation on this album than the original, it feels less human and less emotional. It feels almost forced.
Not my thing at all. 3/10 (and I feel like I am being incredibly generous here, just because it’s Sigh. Add any other name to this album and I’d be a lot harsher in how I see it)
Original however, absolute perfection. Brilliant album!