SHINING announce European tour dates!
SHINING are heading out for their first European tour in three years in honor of their 10th album ‘X – Varg Utan Flock’, which was released via Season of Mist last year. The ‘Return of the Enemy’ tour will kick off at the Helvete in Oberhausen (DE) on May 15, and sees the band traveling throughout 9 more countries before a final curtain at the Throne fest in Kuurne (BE) on June 9.
To make things even more intriguing, SHINING are preparing a longer set than usual and promise an event full of uncompromising darkness and perversion. Join them in a celebration of the downfall of man! A list of all confirmed dates can be found HERE on PARIS-MOVE:
SHINING European tour
+SRD
15 May 19 Oberhausen (DE) Helvete
16 May 19 Paris (FR) Le Flow
17 May 19 Nantes (FR) Le Ferrailleur
20 May 19 Toulouse (FR) Connexion Live
21 May 19 Madrid (ES) Caracol
22 May 19 Barcelona (ES) Boveda
23 May 19 Marseille (FR) Jas Rod
24 May 19 Verona (IT) Pika Future Club
25 May 19 Bologna (IT) Alchemica Music Club
26 May 19 Munich (DE) Backstage
28 May 19 Vienna (AT) Viper Room
29 May 19 Budapest (HU) Blue Hell
30 May 19 Krakow (PL) Zet Pe Te Club
31 May 19 Poznan (PL) U Bazyla
01 Jun 19 Leipzig (DE) Hellraiser Club
02 Jun 19 Erfurt (DE) Club From Hell
04 Jun 19 Mannheim (DE) MS Connexion Comples
05 Jun 19 Copenhagen (DK) Hotel Cecil
06 Jun 19 Hamburg (DE) Kronensaal
07 Jun 19 Groninghen (NL) Vera
08 Jun 19 Utrecht (NL) Helling
SHINING festivals
27 Apr 19 Stockholm (SE) Stockholm Slaughter 2019
11 May 19 London (UK) Incineration Fest 2019
09 Jun 19 Kuurne (BE) Thronefest 2019
SHINING will be touring in support of their 2018 release ‘X – Varg Utan Flock’, which can be listened to in full HERE.
The artwork has been created by Kevin Rolly and is shown together with the album details below.
Track-list
1. Svart Ostoppbar Eld (7:11)
2. Gyllene Portarnas Bro (6:39)
3. Jag Är Din Fiende (7:05)
4. Han Som Lurar Inom (8:03)
5. Tolvtusenfyrtioett (2:53)
6. Mot Aokigahara (9:33)
Total playing time: 41:24
Niklas Kvarforth is not the first artist struggling with mental illness and related issues. The erratic Swede is also not the first musician whose inner demons are part of the creative genius. Yet in the world of metal, his band SHINING remains as a unique and outstanding act in terms of talent and musical excellence.
Never shy about his personal afflictions, Niklas Kvarforth is once again baring his tortured soul with ‘X – Varg Utan Flock’. His anger, his confusion, his pain, and his torment are all becoming tangible on the tenth album in the band’s long history. For a point of reference, the legendary ‘V – Halmstad’ release probably offers the most appropriate comparison. Yet all the influences SHINING fused into their previous masterpiece, ‘IX – Everyone, Everything, Everywhere, Ends’ (2015) are also still present. Eclectic influences from progressive rock, jazz, classical music, and even faint traces of pop have left their mark.
In addition to the broad musical spectrum on display, Niklas Kvarforth’s deeply emotional laments emerging from the dark depths of his twisted mind go beyond the usual scale of metal bands in their great vocal scope and variety.
Founded in 1996 by Kvarforth, SHINING self-released ‘Submit to Self-Destruction’ in 1998 and spawned the term “suicidal black metal” with this debut 7″. A couple years after first full-length, ‘I – Within Deep Dark Chambers’ (2000) and sophomore album, ‘II – Livets Ändhållplats’ (2001) had cut deep marks into the underground scene, Niklas replaced his whole crew, which started a continuous cycle of line-up changes. With MAYHEM drummer Hellhammer on board, ‘III – Angst’ (2003) and ‘IV – The Eerie Cold’ (2005) began to gather major press attention. At the same time, SHINING focused on bringing their vision and often controversially received live performances to Europe. Yet Kvarforth’s mental health led to cancellations, physical and psychological fights within the band, and finally a break-up. Not content to let things rest after his breakdown, the restless singer returned with new members and the acclaimed masterpiece, ‘V – Halmstad’ in 2007. By then SHINING had reached headliner status and toured with other great acts such as SATYRICON and MAYHEM. Several line-up changes later, the Swede recorded two albums in one session: ‘VI – Klagopsalmer’ was released in 2009, to be followed by ‘VII – Född Förlorare’ two years later. The band also received their first gold disc for the single ‘Förtvivlan, Min Arvedel’ in Sweden. After rotating more musicians in and out, SHINING returned with ‘Redefining Darkness’ (2012) and a less aggressive, yet more sinister sound. Before signing to Season of Mist, the band released the project ‘8 ½ – Feberdrömmar I Vaket Tillstånd’, which featured six of Kvarforth’s favourite vocalists. In August 2014, SHINING entered Andy LaRocque’s Sonic Train Studios to record their ninth album, ‘IX – Everyone, Everything, Everywhere, Ends’ as the sum of Niklas Kvarforth’s musical evolution and experience. More line-up changes and breakdowns followed.
Yet Niklas Kvarforth clawed his way up from the depths once more and returned to Andy LaRocque and Sonic Train Studios to record another album. The result, ‘X – Varg Utan Flock’ is a musical masterpiece far beyond simple genre limitations and a shining tribute to the achievement that a troubled mind is capable of when driven by a passionate will to excel and overcome. Listen with respect.
Recording line-up:
Niklas Kvarforth: vocals
Marcus Hammarström: bass
Peter Huss: guitar
Euge Valovirta: guitar
Jarle Byberg: drums
Current line-up:
Niklas Kvarforth: vocals
Peter Huss: guitar
Benny Bats: guitar
Marcus Hammarström: bass
Frank Schilperoort: drums
Guest musicians:
Andy La Rocque: guitar solo on “Jag Är Din Fiende”
Olli Ahvenlahti: piano on “Tolvtusenfyrtioett”
Recording, Mix & Mastering: Andy La Rocque, Sonic Train Studios
Style: Suicidal Metal
Cover art: Kevin Rolly
Photography: Špela Bergant & Tomaž Gorkič (assistant)
Facebook page: HERE