Audio drama from the early days of the Higurashi phenomenon, back when it was still a Windows doujin visual novel scaring people through text and cicada sounds. This 2005 Vol.1 drama CD opens with "事件から幕は上がり" (The Curtain Rises from the Incident), immediately establishing that unsettling Hinamizawa atmosphere that made the series famous.
Read more
"雛見沢村武闘会" (Hinamizawa Village Fighting Tournament) is the wildcard track, leaning into the comedic side of the franchise that people forget exists between all the paranoia and violence. "押入れの中にありそうな本を探せ" (Search for Books That Might Be in the Closet) has that slice-of-life club activity energy before things inevitably go sideways.
The bonus track "オヤシロサマ祭り" (Oyashiro-sama Festival) is the first-print exclusive, and the title alone sends chills if you know what Oyashiro-sama means in this universe. Five tracks total, bridging the gap between Ryukishi07's original game and the anime explosion that was about to happen.
A snapshot of When They Cry before the world caught on.