Shining

Founded in 1996 by frontman and only remaining original member Niklas Kvarforth, SHINING‘s debut 7” “Submit To Self-Destruction” was released two years later on Kvarforth’s own newly- formed record label Selbstmord Services. And with it, SHINING spawned what people today refer to as “Suicidal Black Metal”.

SHINING’s first full-length album, “I / Within Deep Dark Chambers”, appeared in 2000, and “II / Livets Ändhållplats” followed just six months later. In 2002, all members (who Maestro Kvarforth refers to as his tool-box) were fired and new ones brought in, with new drummer Hellhammer helping shape a more solid sound on 2003’s “III / Angst” and 2004’s “IV / The Eerie Cold”, both of which were released by the Italian label Avantgarde Music.

SHINING then focused on bringing their vision and, according to some, controversial live performances, to Europe, and for a while it seemed like SHINING had become a solid live act. But once again, the frontman’s mental health resulted in cancelled tours, physical and psychological fights within the band, and an eventual breakup.

Kvarforth then assembled a new line-up, signed a contract with Osmose Productions and started working on the fifth album “V / Halmstad”, which was released in 2007. Thanks to the enormous success and impact of the album, SHINING headlined several festivals throughout Europe and South America, as well as touring both as a headliner, and as a support act to bands such as SATYRICON and MAYHEM.

Several line-up changes later, SHINING once again entered the studio, recording two albums in one session. The first of these, “VI / Klagopsalmer” was released in 2009, after which the band once again went on the road, headlining, as well as supporting WATAIN. In 2011 SHINING signed to Spinefarm Records who released “VII / Född Förlorare” . The band also received their first gold disc for the single “Förtvivlan, Min Arvedel” in their home-country Sweden.

In January 2012, several line-up changes later, Kvarforth and Peter Huss entered Andy LaRocque’s Sonic Train Studios to record the cover EP “Lots of Girls Gonna Get Hurt” and “Redefining Darkness”, the eighth album, which unfortunately sank into obscurity due to the ever-growing difficulties between band and label.

2013 saw SHINING release the one-off project “8 ½ – Feberdrömmar I Vaket Tillstånd”, on Dark Essence Records. An album consisting of tracks originally recorded in the “Livets Ändhållplats” and “Angst” period, which had been illegally released in their pre-production state without the consent of the band. However, as there had been no vocals recorded on either of these takes, 6 of Kvarforth’s personal favourite vocalists were initiated, making the release a bit more special than just a mere re-release of already existing bootleg material.

In 2014 SHINING inked a deal with Season Of Mist and went on to release their 9th studio-album, “IX / Everyone, Everything, Everywhere, Ends”, which, despite being hobbled by yet another problematical booking agency, was followed the year thereafter by touring Europe, North America, Japan and Russia. After a series of backlashes and a certain amount of good ol’ turbulence SHINING finally settled down with Rock The Nation.

2016 marks the 20-year anniversary for the adversary and possibly the worst is yet to come…