SHINING
V / Halmstad
(Osmose Productions)
42:36min

When I listened to SHINING’s “III: Angst” some years ago I was blown away: an excellent piece of Northern Black Metal combining the aggression of “De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas” with the dismal nihility of “Hvis Lysset Tar Oss”. Then I listened to both their first 2 albums which are of same quality, still not as well-crafted as “III: Angst” is. Some years later SHINING came up with “IV: Eerie Cold” which was not a bad album but sadly, it couldn’t capture the whole atmosphere and breeze of “III: Angst”. It was also apparent that SHINING wanted to move their sound into something new. The later intent is even more evident in their latest album “V / Halmstad” that is basically a Dark Metal album (if there is such a label). I guess SHINING no longer fit in one label and you definitely have to be willing to swallow that if you are about to accept their deal. Here you will find loads of good guitars, solos, acoustic parts, strings, piano, changes in tempo and colour of the vocal lines etc. I was surprised to find out so many different influences in it, this album is surely a spring of interesting ideas. I only hope that SHINING are not willing to become what OPETH is to Death Metal (ok, I am kidding now). I assume that this album does not refer to Black Metallers only: still it has loads of Black Metal feel in it. To sum up, “V / Halmstad” is surely an album that you should listen to a couple of times in order to absorb, still it won’t disappoint you if you are open-minded enough and willing to give it a chance. www.shiningangst.se, www.osmoseproductions.com

Manolis A.

Manolis A.

Related reviews / interviews:
SHINING - The Darkroom Sessions (Frank Stöver)
SHINING - Within Deep Dark Chambers (Frank Stöver )
SHINING - Interview (Roy Kristensen)

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