Shining - I - 6/6 - par Mike
Groupe : Shining
Album : Within Deep Dark Chambers
Genre : Depressive Black Metal
Année : 2000
Label : Selvsmord Services
Pays : Suède
Durée : 50 minutes
Tracklist :
1 - Reflecting in Solitude
2 - Stonelands
3 - Vita Detestabilis
4 - Ren Djävla Angest
5 - Inisis
6 - And Only Silence Remains?
Shining was the beginning of what was to be called Suicidal Black Metal, a new genre that gave our music a second life in some ways and strengthened the harsh emotions born in Norway some 15 years ago?The first chapter of the group is one that most have never really touched, which is a shame, and which is to be considered one of their finest pieces of pure agony.
First of all sorry for those who don?t speak English, it just felt right to do this review in one of my native languages. Shining?s first outing is pretty much what you expect from Kvarforth & co. , the only thing that is radically different is the structure of the songs which is more basic than on the two last albums (too much complication , too focused because of people?s damn fucking opinions and wanting something more accessible). It really feels like their debut in the underground world and is emotionally full of surprises. One thing that most will recognize is the good production values of the music - from the signature guitar riffs to the insane drumming of Wedebrand, which I prefer to Hellhammer?s arrogant bullshit. Classen is the only other vocalist present other than Kvarforth since the group exists and adds backing vocals which bring out the lead vocals effectively. The only thing I regret is the bass which isn?t put up front enough but I suppose I?ll live with it. Six tracks for 50 minutes worth of music isn?t bad at all, each song being long enough to drain out all the musicians? suicidal needs. But unlike the episode III and IV all the songs give something different yet benefit in not giving all those shitty keyboard solos and epic melodies found in albums of the same genre: in other words, this is no rubbish and can be taken seriously like chapter II, which followed one year later. All your unstable minded thoughts will come out as the notes play in your ears, slowly feeling the need to burst into tears. Yes, this was really the beginning of depressive black metal, the real stuff.
Everything starts off quite oddly with sound effects close to bells heard from underwater, ringing like an evening funeral before the distorted guitars enter ? little screams coming out here and there. Everything stops and takes off at a desperate pace: the impact is incredible as everything seems to become gray and nothing is worth a penny, not even a thought. The only thing left in your head is a rush of violent, unworthy morphine taking over your senses. The lead guitar plays an uneasy line of notes, as if the music were too painful to play. The drumming is too much to bare?the suicide squadron has arrived. Most certainly one of the most effective songs on the CD?Stonelands plays on a lower tempo, dragging in the hate you want to throw out. The remarkable riffs bring you down so much that it?s almost impossible to come back up. The acoustics near the end are even better?your looking at a track nearly as memorable as the third track of Livets. Skipping the next two tracks which you can discover yourselves we come to Inisis. Playing high notes, insane vocals and drumming, this becomes the nerve wrecking track of the album. Simple but amazing notes will bring out your guns and arsenal and then the saddest parts of episode I come to life?or death. The guitar plays a melancholic tune while Kvarforth cries: unmatchable. Everything explodes with a burst of speed and the atmosphere becomes even more unbearable. You?re on the point of loosing your senses?yet you overcome the horror which is Shining to live the amazing end which will terminate in drops of salty sadness. The album will finish like it began: a living nightmare.
This is where you should be when listening to Shining, Within Deep Dark Chambers has nothing to do with the group?s actual music, too overdone to beat its initial creations. A bad night?s sleep is certain when listening to this piece of tragic living. Get or miss out on something big ? don?t listen to the ?overrated? comments.
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