Photo credit: Claudio Marino
“SHINING has completely destroyed my life and shattered every single relationship I have had over the years, but still, this sick child of mine means everything to me. So yes, I am willing to sacrifice everything for him and have done so on more than one occasion.” -Niklas Kvarforth-
The day has finally come to drown the world in a mesmerizing, inescapable darkness, as iconic Swedish depressive black metal band SHINING have unleashed their brand-new self-titled studio album today! Formed in 1996 and centered around mastermind Niklas Kvarforth, who is known as one of the most controversial and musically brilliant artists in the black metal scene and beyond, SHINING present their eleventh offering that proves the unit even darker than ever before.
The album release arrives with a third single, entitled “Fidelis Ad Mortem”, that features nothing less than a brilliant guitar solo by King Diamond virtuoso Andy La Rocque, who is also responsible for producing, recording, mixing and mastering Shining in his Sonic Train Studios. “Fidelis Ad Mortem” conjures a sinister, discomforting atmosphere that will surely be loved and feared alike. Slowing things down with reduced instrumentation and intense vocals, the song creeps its way into the listeners’ guts, causing harm and relief at the same time. Together with a visualizer that perfectly fits the mood of the new song and album in general, SHINING will drench this planet in a sulphuric void you can’t escape.
Niklas Kvarforth on “Fidelis Ad Mortem”:
“’Fidelis Ad Mortem’ is a song that was partly written by myself all the way back in 2001, but somehow always felt weirdly out-of-context to the vision I had for this band back in those early days, and thus, therefore never deemed suitable of being a part of any of the last nine records that followed. However, now, when SHINING finally are having a more or less stable lineup, the band convinced me that we should at least try to record it, while Andy La Rocque gave myself a boost in his role as our producer, which was something I desperately needed in order to take that necessary step backwards and fall blindly into territories both treacherous and unknown.
And I am glad he did, so that this unorthodox piece of Anti-Humanitarian Art can finally be unleashed publicly and hopefully go on to inspire you all. Finally, it so happens that Andy actually found this particular moment of productivity so inspiring that he ended up recording the two solos as well, showcasing his patented skills in a remarkably fiery way, the way only he can.”
SHINING incomparably combines influences from various far-reaching genres such as classical music, jazz and progressive rock, conjuring grim moods, aching wounds and deep emptiness. Themes such as self-destruction, suicide and violence play an important role in the band’s music. Over the course of ten studio albums, including masterpieces such as the acclaimed V. Halmstad and Redefining Darkness, SHINING has garnered a large and loyal following who adore the musical genius and eccentric nature of Niklas Kvarforth.
Niklas Kvarforth on the new album:
“This is our self-titled, eleventh studio album, and it is drenched in an instantly recognizable sound which has been perfected over the last three decades, and that, today, has become the trademark of the band.”
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The sinister, lurking album opener “Avsändare Okänd” counts as one of the most vicious and brutal songs in the band’s history. Next track “Snart Är Dem Alla Borta” starts with a hauntingly mellow intro before progressing into aggression. The first single and homage to Death, “Allt För Döden”, is a well-designed nightmare cut from the pitch-black horrors of Shining, and according to the band, is drenched in an instantly recognizable sound that has been perfected over the last three decades, and that today has become their trademark. Instrumental piano piece “Åttahundratjugo” calms the atmosphere down, before closing track “Den Permanenta Sömnen Kallar” shakes the listener by instantly kicking off in black metal style from its first seconds.
Shining is a hauntingly captivating and skillful album that features a unique metal sound in true SHINING manner, serving the very best of black metal creatively combined with several other influences. The band has sparked a fiery interest with all of their previous offerings, and it is certain that their ruthless upcoming album will exceed all expectations.
Tracklisting:
1. Avsändare Okänd
2. Snart Är Dom Alla Borta
3. Allt För Döden
4. Fidelis Ad Mortem (feat. Andy La Rocque)
5. Åttahundratjugo
6. Den Permanenta Sömnen Kallar
SHINING are:
Niklas Kvarforth – Vocals
Charles Hedger – Guitar
Nicolas Barker – Drums
Peter Huss – Guitar
Alex Friberg – Bass
Tuomas Tahvanainen – Noise and Discomfort
SHINING online:
INSTAGRAM
BANDCAMP
NAPALM RECORDS
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