Shining: Feberdrömmar (Del Ett)
Feberdrömmar (Del Ett) will be released November 25th on The Sinister Initiative
Spanning over three decades of spreading their misanthropic gospel and often labeled as one of the most despised and tumultuous bands within the metal scene of today. Shining, a predominant band within the world of black metal that was formed by Niklas Kvarforth in Halmstad, Sweden back in 1996, can be considered to be one of the main pioneers of the depressive suicidal black metal genre, or DSBM for short. Shining has stayed true to their original agenda even to this day. From being celebrated by their cult-like fan base that spans the globe, to being vehemently loathed by those who simply don't understand the creative and yet very destructive artistic expression of Kvarforth. Despite all of the hatred and having gone through a multitude of members, this controversial band has shown its undying power to not only live and thrive today but to feed off of its negative publicity. Shining has remained at the forefront and core of what Trv Kvlt black metal is.
With eleven full-lengths, five EP’s and numerous singles released as of today, Shining has returned from the depths of despair once more and has released their latest full-length album. Feberdrömmar (Del Ett) releasing on November 25, 2024 under the black banner of “The Sinister Incentive”. A destructive symphony of nightmarish madness that will carry you into a sea of artistic torment for 48:15 minutes with six depressive tracks.
This is far more than a simple album, but something of a larger picture that is being painted. Only time will bring what is at work here into realization. For now we look at Feberdrömmar (Del Ett), an album that offers a gathering of shadows from the depths of Trv Kvlt black metal. With disturbing and dark performances of Attila Csihar of Mayhem, Maniac of Skitliv, “Famine” of Peste Noire, Pehr Sjöldhammar of Alfahanne and of course Gaahl of Trelldom! So without wasting more time, let us divulge ourselves in the ripe fruit of inner anguish and dive in.
At first glance of the album art, I already can tell it is going to be amazing. A high contrasted black and white image of a man hanging by a noose that is blindfolded. The distressed look gives it an older photo feel to it, offering up a depressive and dark imagery. That's it, no name, no logo, only death. Simple yet powerful and dark. Right to the point. It's how it should be.
A dark and eerie ambience builds slowly into a spiraling tone that plunges you into madness. Hearing test sounds can be heard as they fade in over the insidious atmosphere. Screams echo in a faded muffled tone, as if echoing through the halls of an industrial complex off in the distance. The dark elements portrayed in the opening track of “Välkommen” brings you into the darkened deranged melodies of insanity. A beautiful opening track that features “Famine” of Peste Noire.
Without any wasted time, a blaring of heavily distorted raw chord progressions kick in that will remind you of the earlier second wave of black metal. Mayhem has its signature on this amazing track as well. We can hear Attila Csihar featured within the second track “Terres Des Anonymes” and his thatched inhuman visceral screams that carry the pace of this distorted track of impeccable darkness.
Pehr Sjöldhammar enters the scene within the track of “Szabadujl Meg Önmagadtol” and takes the guitars to a distortion of pure black metal. For those who are not aware, Sjöldhammar comes from the great bands of Vinterland and Alfahanne as their guitarist and vocalist. But I am sure that I can hear Kvarforth and his twisted dark vocals coat everything in anguish. A dark synth can be heard playing a somber melody throughout this track which further builds the depressive atmospheric elements of the track.
As you go through the album, you will notice a collaborative effort of various legends within the black metal world. A display of Trv Kvlt Black Metal and what it should be. Raw, tones enshrouded in a darkness that radiates anguish and despair. Both beautiful as it is grotesque. Each track has its influence based around the collaborative efforts of the artist featured within each of the tracks while still remaining close to what is Shining. The best part of this album besides the collaborative endeavors would be how Feberdrömmar (Del Ett) brings things back to the original raw darkness that is true black metal in essence. A time before it was polluted by mainstream cliches and modern politics.
“Black Industrial Misery” takes off in a torrent of raw distortion with a very familiar tremolo picking and chord progression that we all love. This sets the overall tone and pace of the track. Creating such a raw anguish that will remind you of earlier times within black metal. Strong DSBM elements that resonate with the darkened vocals that carry the track. An amazing track to close off an amazing album.
The great thing about this album is how it brings things back to the core of what the essence of black metal is meant to be. This album is part of something bigger that will be revealed in due time. But for now, it offers a display of grotesque darkness that is raw in form. Intense madness. From start to finish, every track is an articulated vision with precision of misanthropy and anti-humanitarianism. Personally, if you are a true fan of the black metal genre, then you not only will have respect for this album but would seek it out for your collection when it is released.
For me this is considered a 10/10 and a masterpiece.
You can pre-save the album on the band’s Spotify or on the label’s Bandcamp
