Shining "Livets ändhållplats" CD Osmose

The Second Shining Album. Re-issued by Osmose Productions 2013.

Released in a standard jewel case CD with transparent tray; includes a 8-page booklet with printed credits and lyrics.

The early Shining is a truly interesting phenomenon within depressive-suicidal black metal. The band emerged as a one of the genre's originators, yet it remained distinctive after the hordes of the followers had appeared on stage. Maybe the majority just got Shining wrong? Anyway, "Livets Ändhållplats" - the second full-length album of Shining - once again proves, how heavy the monotony can be. The album develops the sound of its predecessor and in the same restrained manner pounds with the negativity.
There's a one very significant change on "Livets Ändhållplats", it is even more doomy than "Within Deep Dark Chambers". The tempo rises not often. Albeit after the tranquil acoustic picking in the beginning of the first composition, there goes a fast episode. Generally, such tempo isn't common for "Livets Ändhållplats". The guitars create the charactiristic for black metal wall-of-sound type of melodies. Bass guitars can be heard well and even better than on the previous work. The sinister atmosphere of hopelessness is being established. Kvarforth performs vocals in the same way, with high-pitched shrieking, which isn't highly expressive, but desperate enough.
"Livets Ändhållplats" is the same monotonous and holistic album as his predecessor. Some standout moments are still present. For example, "Ännu ett steg närmare total utfrysning". This composition can alone epitomize the whole album. It is prolonged, dark and apathetic. The atmospheric keyboards and the resounding bass make it hypnotizing. "Svart" is the best composition of "Livets Ändhållplats". It has all main features of the record, while it contains kinda brutal and abrupt riffing. It's not particularly depressive, it's filled with the negativity. Also, since this album Shining begins to include ambient compositions. "Att med kniv göra sig illa" is a one here, it's a dismal minimalistic soundscape with the spoken word.
The idea of Shining is represented perfectly with the music of "Livets Ändhållplats". The lyrics isn't about a one's personal tragedies, it's about a useless nature of the existence in general. So, there's no hysteria or excessive despair in the music. Shining, being a one of the main bands associated with depressive-suicidal black metal, ironically strikes not with depression, but with oppression. And the band does it convincingly, in the trademark for its early period reserved manner. It was noticed on "Within Deep Dark Chambers", it becomes more pronounced on "Livets Ändhållplats". The atmosphere of negativity is expressed so well. That's the reason, why this album is so valuable.

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