Niklas Kvarforth’s pioneering black metal institution Shining has announced two brand-new albums, Live in Transylvania and Beating Belgium Black and Blue. These official bootleg recordings will be unleashed on March 17. They have already been made available for pre-order from Shining Legions.
Live in Transylvania captures a ritual held in 2009 and boasts a perfectly curated tracklist: “Intro I,” “Eradication of the Condition,” “Yttligare Ett Steg Närmare Total Jävla Utfrysning,” “Submit to Self-Destruction,” “Vilseledda Barnasjälars Hemvist,” “Intro II,” “Besvikelsens Dystra Monotoni,” and “Neka Morgondagen.”
Beating Belgium Black and Blue presents listeners with Shining’s phenomenal 2016 performance at Graspop Metal Meeting, where the powerhouse played the following classics: “Vilja & Dröm,” “Framtidsutsikter,” “Människa O’Avskyvärda Människa,” “Submit to Self-Destruction,” “Låt Oss Ta Allt Från Varandra,” and “For the God Below.”
Music enthusiasts should also be aware that Shining, in conjunction with Kvarforth’s label The Sinister Initiative, recently released another pair of masterpieces: The Helsinki Tapes, consisting of the previously unheard Redefining Darkness demos, and Feberdrömmar (Del Ett), the expanded reissue of the celebrated 8 1/2. Feberdrömmar (Del Två), which showcases five new tracks by five surprising guest vocalists, will drop later this year, also on TSI.
Kvarforth has not only been serving up audial atrocities, but both the perfected 2024 and 2025 versions of his literary weapon, When Prozac No Longer Helps, have been printed and are currently in stock at Shining Legions. All copies of these limited offerings are signed and numbered in Kvarforth’s blood.
The Sinister Initiative prepares to unveil SHINING’s The Helsinki Tapes on Friday the 13th of December. Conceived in 1996 by the tireless genius Niklas Kvarforth, Sweden’s SHINING stands as an unsurpassed pioneering black metal powerhouse, and The Helsinki Tapes represent a pivotal moment in the illustrious career of this fabled sonic weapon. These unheard recordings served as the demos for SHINING’s groundbreaking eighth full-length classic, Redefining Darkness, which redefined extreme music 12 years ago.
The Helsinki Tapes feature a devilishly perfect trio: Niklas Kvarforth, the talented Christian Larsson, and the DØDHEIMSGARD legend Yusaf “Vicotnik” Parvez. The brilliant yet ghastly material contained expresses inconceivable levels of evil and a devastating blackness of the rarest and most uncanny order. All those at The Sinister Initiative are therefore certain that this album will prove historic. The Helsinki Tapes will be the first new SHINING offering since the group’s masterpiece of a self-titled eleventh record premiered on September 15, 2023, courtesy of The Sinister Initiative in tandem with Napalm Records.
Founded in 2020 by Niklas Kvarforth, The Sinister Initiative is likewise run by COLD PROPHET’s Tuomas Tahvanainen as well as ex-ENOCHIAN CRESCENT and current SEGER’s Mathias Palmroth — the ideal figures to release the title at hand. In fact, under the Nucleart Design banner, Tahvanainen, who doubles as a highly sought-after graphic designer, provided the magnificent cover for The Helsinki Tapes.
Speaking of The Helsinki Tapes, The Sinister Initiative confirms:
“In the wake of our Re-Issue of ‘VIII / Redefining Darkness’, we are finally able to reveal that this December, SHINING will close the book on one of the more cursed chapters of their career. They have chosen to do so by having us release an additional album that we have only been hinting at before this official announcement! ‘THE HELSINKI TAPES’.
Niklas Kvarforth has, on countless occasions, mentioned the month that he spent together with Christian Larsson and Yusaf Parvez (DHG) in an apartment that they rented in Finland’s capital. The three resolved to use this space as a base in which to write, experiment and cause various forms of unspecified damage before heading to Varberg to record the new album. For years, the band has wished that these infamous demo tapes could be released officially somehow. We here at TSI, who recently issued the definitive edition of the very album for which these songs were created, feel that the time has now come to release the recording that the band themselves have stressed: ‘Is in so many ways far superior to the actual album itself’.
We may or may not agree on that, but there’s certainly a mesmerizing rawness and constant feeling of unease contained within this otherworldly material. Not to mention, the tapes serve as an audial retelling of how an obscure Black Metal band from Sweden transformed into something different and ultimately way more dangerous than even those involved ever could have anticipated.
The Helsinki Tapes are now available for pre-order from both The Sinister Initiative and Shining Legions. All copies will be promptly dispatched; secure the gift of SHINING as the ideal Black Christmas stocking stuffer now.
The Sinister Initiative, with the help of Odium Records, has set November 25th, 2024, as the international release date for SHINING‘s “Feberdrömmar (Del Ett).”
The Sinister Initiative originally had plans for a simple re-issue of the infamous “8 1/2” compilation, which was first released 11 years ago by Dark Essence Records. However, so much more material was added that it was instead decided to divide the final masters into two separate chapters. The second chapter is currently is post-production and will be released in Summer 2025!
FEBERDRÖMMAR (DEL ETT), includes a brand new intro before a variety of both old and new songs performed in nightmarish fashion by Maniac of SKITLIV, Pehr Sjöldhammar of ALFAHANNE, Attila Csihar of MAYHEM, Famine of PESTE NOIRE and Gaahl of TRELLDOM!
This updated and improved version of will be released on beautiful DIGIPACK, LP and CASSETTE options. The VINYL colors include WHITE, SILVER, CLASSIC BLACK and GOLD. Each VINYL will be accompanied by a free and exclusive A3 POSTER. All are limited to 100 copies worldwide but the BLACK, which will be restricted to 200 copies. Similarly, only 100 CASSETTES will be produced, ensuring their value for collectors.
“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.”
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
Iconic Swedish metal band SHINING have unleashed the second new single, “Avsändare Okänd”, off of their upcoming self-titled Napalm Records debut, Shining, out on September 15, 2023! Formed in 1996 and known as one of the most controversial and musically brilliant bands in the black metal scene and beyond, SHINING present their eleventh offering that proves even darker than ever before.
According to the band themselves, Shining “will be a downward journey in stereo that will drown the world in a mesmerizing, inescapable darkness”. The sinister, lurking second single “Avsändare Okänd” is one of the most vicious and brutal songs in the band’s history. The unsettling accompanying lyric video adds to the disturbing atmosphere of the track.
Niklas Kvarforth on “Avsändare Okänd”: “Our second single, “Avsändare Okänd”, could best be described as what “Halmstad” or “Varg Utan Flock” could have sounded if recorded with the current lineup. It’s the opening track of our new album and classic SHINING at its absolute darkest.
The physical version also includes a DANZIG cover on the B-side, which will not be released digitally.”
Kvarforth adds: “Ingo Spörl has managed to do what I never thought was possible, creating a lyric video for SHINING without any direct involvement from any member of the band. His visualization of “Avsändare Okänd” is chillingly similar to how I myself would have done it if I had Ingo’s skills. Enjoy the haunting second single from our forthcoming eleventh album!”
The unit centered around mastermind Niklas Kvarforth roots their main musical influences in black metal, but does not fit into a single genre alone. 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.”
Following the album opener “Avsändare Okänd”, “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 has become their trademark today. Fourth track “Fidelis Ad Mortem” showcases progressive rock influences that are present on several tracks featured on Shining. 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
Reigning as one of the most controversial and musically brilliant bands in extreme metal, iconic Swedish metal band SHINING has always matchlessly mastered the tightrope act between the edges of genius and madness. Loved and feared alike since breaking into the scene in the late 90s, mainman Niklas Kvarforth is now ready to unleash his most recent masterpiece of depressive bleakness and never ending misery that reflects his musical genius and eccentric nature with every tune. The self-titled eleventh studio album and Napalm Records debut will be released on September 15, 2023.
The new offering proves SHINING as even darker and more brutal than before – a downward journey in stereo that will drown the world in a mesmerizing, inescapable darkness. Kvarforth roots his main musical influences in black metal, but does not stick to a single genre alone. 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.
Along with unveiling the new studio album comes the torturing, intense first single, “Allt För Döden”. The song turns Kvarforth’s inner demons, pain and desperation inside out once more, while delivering a stylistic variety that showcases how SHINING never fails in surprising their devotees. Embodying provocation since the band’s very beginnings, it’s no surprise that “Allt För Döden” is underlined by an official video full of blood, violence and destruction.
Niklas Kvarforth on “Allt För Döden”: “‘Allt För Döden’ is a lengthy homage to Death that will possess your soul during the very first spin!”
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 has become their trademark today. Fourth track “Fidelis Ad Mortem” showcases progressive rock influences that are present on several tracks featured on Shining. 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.
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.”
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 Tahvahnainen – Noise and Discomfort
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