I Saw the World's End - Hangman's Hymn MMXXV
I’ll start by saying that the album I Saw the World’s End – Hangman’s Hymn MMXXV is a complete revisit of the 2007 classic Hangman’s Hymn. But this is far from a simple re-recording. It’s a total reinvention, with modern production, a new lineup, and an even more theatrical and intense approach. It feels as if the band decided to look back at their past work with today’s tools and maturity. Honestly, the result is impressive.
About the Band
Formed in 1989 in Tokyo by Mirai Kawashima, Sigh was born within the traditional black metal scene but quickly stood out by incorporating elements no one expected: orchestrations, saxophones, eastern percussion, narrated voices, and atmospheres bordering on theatrical absurdity. Over more than 30 years, the band has established itself as one of the most unpredictable and authentic entities in experimental metal.
In 2007, they released Hangman’s Hymn, an album that combined German-style thrash riffs with symphonic arrangements and vocal chaos, creating one of the most iconic moments in their career. Now, in 2025, that work is revisited with a new title and new presentation. I Saw the World’s End – Hangman’s Hymn MMXXV retells the same story, but with more clarity, weight, and precision.
The New Version: “I Saw the World’s End…”
Produced by Lasse Lammert, this new chapter from Sigh marks a sonic leap forward from the original version. The modern production allows guitars, drums, and orchestrations to coexist in perfect balance. Nothing fights for space anymore. On the contrary, everything sounds more surgical, more theatrical, and still absolutely brutal.
The guitars and drums finally take up the space they always deserved, offering a more immersive and punchy experience. What was once a dense sonic mass now comes through with precision. The riffs shine with greater clarity, while the orchestrations stop being a mere background layer and start conversing with the other instruments in a fluid and cohesive way. Drummer Mike Heller delivers a vigorous and precise performance. Every fill and hit carries an almost mathematical strength, yet still feels alive. Mirai’s vocals maintain the same insane and theatrical quality, with that dark, circus-like tone that only he can deliver. Now, his voice has even more clarity and presence in this new arrangement.
Rather than sounding like a simple re-recording, the album feels like a reborn work. It is not only cleaner but also more powerful.
My Listening Experience
The sound bursts through the speakers with the same chaotic energy as always, but with livelier orchestrations and more defined grooves. It feels like Sigh freed themselves from any past baggage and delivered a fine-tuned, almost hyper-real version of what was already grandiose.
It’s like seeing a painting you’ve always loved finally framed. You start noticing details that were once lost. The blast beats cut through sharply, the solos flirt with bizarre melodies, and the choirs, previously buried, now echo with theatrical drama.
There may be a slight loss of that rustic magic from the original, but in return, we get a sonic monster that respects and amplifies the essence of the source material.
Final Recommendation
If you’ve already embraced the original Hangman’s Hymn, get ready. This version is a symphonic powerhouse that elevates the album to a whole new level. And if you’ve never heard the 2007 release, this edition might be the best entry point. It has modern production, sharp performances, and that dark humor that only Sigh can pull off.
Beautiful, fierce, and theatrical. This is nearly four decades of history, curated through the refined lens of a band that knows exactly what it’s doing. For me, this reimagining earns high marks. Sigh reborn for a demanding audience, without losing the original spark.
