The least we can say is that Shining’s new album was eagerly expected! First, because it follows an impressive series of excellent records. We can’t help wondering if Kvarforth and his team will be indefinitely able to find enough resources in their depressive souls to deliver, album after album, the same quality than with V: Halmstad again and again. And second, because VII: Född Förlarare (that’s the new album’s name) was announced only a few months after VI: Klagopsalmer was released, but revealed almost two years later.

When listening to this latest misdeed, something becomes clear: Shining’s nickname, “the Opeth of black metal”, is well-deserved. On the menu: relatively long riffs dripping with malaise, melancholy and anger, and dark, efficient riffs interspersed with delicate atmospheric/acoustic parts, piano and flute sprinkles, some clean vocals and forthright solos. Whether or not you like the controversial personality of their leader, Shining once again managed to create a real work of art.

The music and lyrics were all written by Niklas Kvarforth and Rickard Bengtsson was chosen again to produce the album. A music video will also be posted online next Wednesday. « (it) might not be the most extreme thing you will ever see, but it will definitely be one of the most uncomfortable. » This is what we are told by the band. To keep you updated, we remind you that Fredric Gråby left the band Shining last month.

In Swedish, Född Förlorare means “born to lose”. So is this album doomed to failure, like its title seems to indicate, or is it a complete success, the like of which the band has been accumulating for several years?

That’s up to you to judge; you can listen to the entire album here exclusively.

You’ve got two options:

The entire album:

[audio:/Shining – VII/01 – Förtvivlan Min Arvedel (Despair My Heredity).mp3,/Shining – VII/02 – Tiden Läker Inga Sår (Time Heals No Wounds).mp3,/Shining – VII/03 – Människa O’Avskyvärda Människa (Man Oh Despicable Man).mp3,/Shining – VII/morceau.mp3,/Shining – VII/05 – I Nattens Timma (In The Hour Of Night).mp3,/Shining – VII/06 – FFF.mp3|titles=Förtvivlan Min Arvedel (Despair My Heredity),Tiden Läker Inga Sår (Time Heals No Wounds),Människa O’Avskyvärda Människa (Man Oh Despicable Man),Tillsammans Är Vi Allt (Together We Are Everything),I Nattens Timma (In The Hour Of Night),FFF|artists=Shining,Shining,Shining,Shining,Shining,Shining]

Track by track:

01. Förtvivlan, Min Arvedel (Despair My Heredity)
[audio:/Shining – VII/01 – Förtvivlan Min Arvedel (Despair My Heredity).mp3|titles=Förtvivlan, Min Arvedel (Despair, My Heredity)|artists=Shining]
02. Tiden Läker Inga Sår (Time Heals No Wounds)
[audio:/Shining – VII/02 – Tiden Läker Inga Sår (Time Heals No Wounds).mp3|titles=Tiden Läker Inga Sår (Time Heals No Wounds)|artists=Shining]
03. Människa O’Avskyvärda Människa (Man Oh Despicable Man)
[audio:/Shining – VII/03 – Människa O’Avskyvärda Människa (Man Oh Despicable Man).mp3|titles=Människa O’Avskyvärda Människa (Man Oh Despicable Man)|artists=Shining]
04. Tillsammans Är Vi Allt (Together We Are Everything)
[audio:/Shining – VII/morceau.mp3|titles=Tillsammans Är Vi Allt (Together We Are Everything)|artists=Shining]
05. I Nattens Timma (In The Hour Of Night)
[audio:/Shining – VII/05 – I Nattens Timma (In The Hour Of Night).mp3|titles=I Nattens Timma (In The Hour Of Night)|artists=Shining]
06. FFF
[audio:/Shining – VII/06 – FFF.mp3|titles=FFF|artists=Shining]