Shining: VI - Klagopsalmer

Regardless of how you want to classify them, Black Metal, Doom or even Goth, Swedish veterans Shining have definitely built up an impressive catalogue of work consisting of six full length albums since their formation in the mid 90's. Their steady rise through the metal underground over the years hasn't been without its share of controversy as lead singer Niklas "Kvarforth" Olsson's lyrics have been accused of promoting suicide, not to mention he's been known to go off the rails from time to time.

If we put all the nefarious bulls**t aside for a moment and just concentrate on what's really important which is the music itself, then you'd have to consider the band's last release Klagopsalmer, translated as Hymn's of Lament in English, as yet another example of why these guys should recognized as superbly talented musicians. "Vilseledda Barnasjälars Hemvist", "Plågoande O'helga Plågoande" and "Fullständigt Jävla Död Inuti" all feature an abundance of crushing guitar rhythm's and articulate sounding leads from the twin attack of six stringers Peter Huss and Fredric Graby. Likewise the pile driving rhythm section of Andreas Larssen (bass) and Rickard Schill (drums) should also be commended for laying down the amazingly heavy foundation on which these songs are constructed. Kvarforth is an absolute menace as usual as he sneers and snarls his way (all in Swedish save for one track) through his trademark tortured sounding vocal approach. When he chooses to employ a clean method to his singing, as he does on portions of "Plågoande O'helga Plågoande" and the surprisingly ironic, almost upbeat rendition of Seigman's (a Norwegian Pop group) "Sommar Med Siv" (Summer With Siv), it just goes to show that beneath all that venomous aggression, the guy really does have a great, natural sounding set of pipes.

Perhaps in comparison to albums like The Eerie Cold and Halmsted diehard fans of Shining may consider Klagopsalmer to be a bit of a letdown. However for this reviewer I found these superbly crafted and perfectly executed compositions sit nicely alongside some of their best material. Especially the multifaceted and melancholic, epic closing track "Total Utfrysning " (Total Desolation), which I think sums up perfectly what these dark Swedish veterans do best. This song is an all encompassing glimpse into the darkest depths of one's soul, which in addition to once again featuring some absolutely soaring trade off solos between Graby and Huss, also has a gorgeous piano melody inserted around the halfway mark, before concluding with an equally as moving string arrangement that rides out the final four minutes. All in all it's a fantastic way to brings things to an end.

Klagopsalmer is an extremely strong and varied album from beginning to end, and ultimately if you're a fan of Shining I think you'll find it ranks right up there with their best.

Track Listing
1) Vilseledda Barnasjälars Hemvist
2) Plågoande O'helga Plågoande
3) Fullständigt Jävla Död Inuti
4) Ohm - Sommar Med Siv
5) Krossade Drömmar Och Brutna Löften
6) Total Utfrysning

Added: June 6th 2010
Reviewer: Ryan Sparks
Score:
Related Link: Osmose Productions
Hits: 2094
Language: english

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