Shining V: Halmstad
Osmose Productions OPCD187 April 16, 2007
By Jason Jordan
In a subgenre with more than its fair share of copycats, its rare to find a band that actually innovates on a consistent basis. Shining are a band whose brand of depressive, suicidal black metal is inventive and potent. And as the Roman numeral denotes, V: Halmstad is indeed the fifth serving theyve cooked up, which, like Shinings older efforts, leaves one hungry for more even though it clocks in at a respectable 43 minutes.
Kvarforth (vocals, keyboards) returns in true disturbing fashion, rivaling fellow black metallers Attila Csihar (Mayhem), Varg Vikernes (Burzum), and those who attempt to replicate them. While the multifarious vocals arent all that different from what weve heard from Kvarforth before, this record differs from IV: The Eerie Cold insofar as this one is noticeably more centered on guitar. Interestingly, however, classical guitar is also liberally scattered among the six tracks, and adds more panache to their already diverse sound. Opener Yttligare Ett Steg Narmare Total Javla Utfrysning utilizes clean leads and classicial guitar, and Langtar Bort Fran Mitt Hjartautilizes uses clean leads and acoustic guitar to reach its end. Halmstad features plenty of razor-y distortion, though, which is as edgy and biting as ever, and viciousness does indeed manifest itself at the beginning of Lat Oss Ta Allt Fran Varandra and closer Neka Morgondagen. Shining seem most forceful and driven when all instruments unite to produce the aural equivalent to a battering ram. Main digressions from orthodox BM include the strings, classical guitar parts, and jazzy bass lines in the 10-minute Besvikelsens Dystra Monotoni, while the piano-led Attiosextusenfyrahundra deviates from the norm by incorporating a portion of Beethovens Moonlight Sonata a truly somber string of notes. Inane soundclips still pop up intermittently, unfortunately, and detract from the overall worth of the songs in which they appear.
Having previously carved a niche for themselves, V: Halmstad continues the legacy gracefully. While it could use some fine-tuning here and there cut the soundclips, guys its a great black metal album from Swedes who have yet to disappoint.
Official Shining Website
Official Osmose Productions Website
Osmose Productions OPCD187 April 16, 2007
By Jason Jordan
In a subgenre with more than its fair share of copycats, its rare to find a band that actually innovates on a consistent basis. Shining are a band whose brand of depressive, suicidal black metal is inventive and potent. And as the Roman numeral denotes, V: Halmstad is indeed the fifth serving theyve cooked up, which, like Shinings older efforts, leaves one hungry for more even though it clocks in at a respectable 43 minutes.
Kvarforth (vocals, keyboards) returns in true disturbing fashion, rivaling fellow black metallers Attila Csihar (Mayhem), Varg Vikernes (Burzum), and those who attempt to replicate them. While the multifarious vocals arent all that different from what weve heard from Kvarforth before, this record differs from IV: The Eerie Cold insofar as this one is noticeably more centered on guitar. Interestingly, however, classical guitar is also liberally scattered among the six tracks, and adds more panache to their already diverse sound. Opener Yttligare Ett Steg Narmare Total Javla Utfrysning utilizes clean leads and classicial guitar, and Langtar Bort Fran Mitt Hjartautilizes uses clean leads and acoustic guitar to reach its end. Halmstad features plenty of razor-y distortion, though, which is as edgy and biting as ever, and viciousness does indeed manifest itself at the beginning of Lat Oss Ta Allt Fran Varandra and closer Neka Morgondagen. Shining seem most forceful and driven when all instruments unite to produce the aural equivalent to a battering ram. Main digressions from orthodox BM include the strings, classical guitar parts, and jazzy bass lines in the 10-minute Besvikelsens Dystra Monotoni, while the piano-led Attiosextusenfyrahundra deviates from the norm by incorporating a portion of Beethovens Moonlight Sonata a truly somber string of notes. Inane soundclips still pop up intermittently, unfortunately, and detract from the overall worth of the songs in which they appear.
Having previously carved a niche for themselves, V: Halmstad continues the legacy gracefully. While it could use some fine-tuning here and there cut the soundclips, guys its a great black metal album from Swedes who have yet to disappoint.
Official Shining Website
Official Osmose Productions Website
