Shining – VII: Född Förlorare

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Uncomfortable. There’s no denying that, whether you like them or not, Sweden’s Shining (not to be confused with the experimental band from Norway) make uncomfortable music. Some of this comes from the band’s reputation, a reputation that is well reflected in their lyrics. Where a stereotypical black metal band might focus on religion and spiritual matters, Shining take things further and focus on real evil. Subjects such as suicide and crippling drug addiction are very much in the fore for Shining, making their music very difficult to enjoy. At least, it would be difficult if it wasn’t so overwhelmingly intriguing – and VII: Född Förlorare most certainly continues this trend of intriguing and challenging music. Shining have often been stated to be ‘the black metal Opeth‘ and it is easy to see why. For all his well documented personal issues, singer Niklas Kvarforth is an immensely capable and diverse singer, able to inject both soul and terror into each of the album’s six songs, regularly alternating between soft crooning and the more atypical black metal snarl. The guitar parts are complicated and developed, and when the band do perform guitar solos they are jagged, fast and mesmerizing. As a whole though, Shining have produced an album that has all the power of a true black metal album, but at the same time has the delicate touch needed to make the album’s many softer moments work well. Even without their progressive nature, there are some seriously powerful riffs across the album – of particular note are the key riffs of Förtvivlan, Min Arvedel, and the cold, biting Människa O’Avskyvärda Människa. Throughout, the album feels twisted, unsettling and unpleasant – but done in such a way that you can’t help but listen further. Shining make uncomfortable music; but in the most strangest of ways, it is a beautiful, luscious discomfort.

Written by James Donovan
More: 2011, Albums, Black Metal, Quick.Play Reviews, Shining