Culmination of Suicidal/Depressive Black Metal

Shining is the band that have no borders to expose the feelings and emotions, even if the group has been labelled suicidal/depressive black metal, the musicians use some non-Black Metal instruments such as piano and acoustic guitars showing no limits or rules for Kvarforth to obey. The first 4 full-length albums were just great and album by album Shining were getting more experienced and skilled, but it seems Niklas wasn't satisfied with the tool box since he almost changed all the band members and this lead some fans thinking whether the next album would be a disappointment. Well the answer is simply "HELL NO".

Kvarforth's vocals in V - Halmstad are really impressive, even something more thanthat. It's as if the listener were emotionally being controlled by the singer.The female vocals could be better. In " Låt Oss Ta Allt från Varandra" she cries in a weird way but still gives an impressive performance.

The use of acoustic guitar provides an inner feeling ready to explode. Kvarfoth's explosion of depression and hatred after acoustic guitar in "Neka Morgondagen" really makes the listener shiver. The same use of acoustic guitar appears in "Längtar Bort från Mitt Hjärta" creating a similar atmosphere in that song as well.

The only Instrumental track is "Åttiosextusenfyrahundra" which is a short rip-off from the Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" without any anger nor hatred in it but, nevertheless, still in the coverage of album's atmosphere. All tracks are really great but if I had to choose 3 highlights from the tracklist, these would be "Neka Morgondagen", "Låt Oss Ta Allt från Varandra" and "Besvikelsens Dystra Monotoni". The cover art really fits the album as well with its allusions to hatred, anger and depression.

The band's performance is really great in such a genre. In most depressive/suicidal black metal bands one can't even tell the difference between the passages of, let's say, bass and rhythm guitars. Nevertheless, having skilled musicians and Kvarforth's vocals make Shining a unique band in it's own genre. V - Halmstad is one of those rare must-be-heard albums for the fans of suicidal/depressive black metal and those who like songs which create depressive ,hateful and suicidal atmosphere

Rating : 90%

Review was exclusively written by Kalt.Dunkelheit for Metalstorm.ee link