Shining "V • Halmstad (Niklas Angående Niklas)" CD

Descripción When people usually think of the whole “depressive” labeled bands of the black metal genre, they may be led to think, either these bands make some sincerely tortured music which is very appealing to them (that being the listeners), or they may think it's just another band's attempt at being cold, dark, and agonized, which has failed almost completely. Obviously people have entirely different thoughts and views on the subject matter, and is up to them to decide what they label it as. Well, at least here, Shining can be labeled as one of those band’s playing this form of black metal that shouldn’t really be criticized negatively for their attempts at bringing forth sounds of suicidal despair, and fifth album “V - Halmstad” is all that is needed to prove this.
Even though possessing a very nice and clean production, this album still manages to sound very ugly in its own way. Still remaining true to their black metal nature, Shining show their influences from other genres of music and mold them into something which can best be described as a refreshing new formula of depressive sound, the sound that only a handful of band’s are capable of pulling off. One of the most noticeable aspects of this release is Kvarforth’s vocals, which most listeners will find are very convincing, that being they sound exactly like someone would sound with an extremely tormented existence. The sounds of someone who may only have a few minutes or even hours before they decide it’s time to exterminate their presence… permanently. Kvarforth brings not only the tortured shrieks of despair, but he also sounds very angry at times, like he’s about to rip someone’s head off.
The overall emotions felt with “V - Halmstad” are the emotions one would most likely show or fill when having a loaded gun forcefully shoved into your mouth. Kind of like the album artwork Shining used for this release (which is just so fitting). With its shifting moods of loneliness and complete anguish, “V - Halmstad” is a very different approach to the “depressive” black metal genre. With musicianship that creates a disgusted and somewhat chilling atmosphere, Shining’s fifth offering is definitely a standout from the rest of the cut wrist groups. All in all there are very few drawbacks to this release, and has some potential to change the minds of those who see all depressive labeled black metal bands the same.
Sample:  Shining – V • Halmstad (Niklas Angående Niklas) [2007]