The Sinister Initiative has been infecting the world with many of the most brilliant and lethal musical atrocities since its rebirth in 2022. TSI was founded by Shining’s genius mastermind, Niklas Kvarforth, who brings decades of experience as a label owner. His accomplices Tuomas Tahvanainen and Mathias Palmroth constitute the other two members of TSI’s holy “Trinity.”
TSI has been making major strides and therefore breaking much important news lately. For example, the label announced that future releases will be distributed in the United Kingdom by Dayal Patterson’s revered Cult Never Dies and in Germany by the mighty Darkness Shall Rise Productions. TSI is currently collaborating with the latter on six special cassette releases, which will become available in March.
Fortunately, TSI has confirmed a series of exciting upcoming titles planned for 2024.
The label writes:
“COLD PROPHET / K.F.R ‘Imperiled Future’ DIGIPAK
Two years have passed since Tuomas Tahvanainen introduced the world to his void-inducing brain-child COLD PROPHET, and now triumphantly returns to cause distress with 2 brand new tracks (a taste of what’s to come). French K.F.R. contributes he, too, with his very specific way of causing epileptic episodes, one of them featuring The Enemy [meaning Niklas Kvarforth] on vocals. To be released on a matt Digipak, hand-numbered in 500 copies.
SHINING ‘Redefining Darkness’ DIGIPAK / LP / TAPE
Re-issue of the Swedish Black Metal band’s Eight full-length album on both DIGIPAK and Gatefold LP! Remastered by Andy La Rocque and with refined visuals by Nucleart Design. The Gatefold LP includes an A3 poster that is being made exclusively for the release and will be available on Black, White, Purple, and Golden Vinyl.
HØSTSOL ‘Länge Leve Döden’ LP / TAPE
Re-print of the debut album on Gatefold LP, one on Black Vinyl and one on Purple (including the A3 poster and a sticker). Co-release between The Sinister Initiative and Avantgarde Music. A collaborative relationship older than most of the bands themselves!”
TSI furthermore revealed that they will be releasing Cold Prophet’s sophomore album, Intentio Exitus, on CD and LP formats. Intentio Exitus is bound to be hailed as a stellar offering. As mentioned above, Tahvanainen unleashed Cold Prophet’s ingenious self-titled masterpiece of a debut record upon the world in 2022. This black ambient experimental triumph is a criminally underrated must-hear.
The meeting of the formidable talents of Cold Prophet and K.F.R on Imperiled Future will certainly amount to a monumental event. K.F.R is the brainchild of painter, sculptor, author, video creator, and educator Maxime Taccardi. A man of many projects, Taccardi has established himself as one of the leading figures in the black metal community and beyond. K.F.R’s magnum opus, Pain/Ter, dropped in 2023 and boasts a phenomenal guest appearance by Niklas Kvarforth.
Shining’s Redefining Darkness (2012), of course, represents a seminal moment in the history of extreme music. Niklas Kvarforth’s innovation and unsurpassed abilities as a composer have ensured that this album will prove timeless. This classic is dedicated to the memory of the late Trond Bråthen, or “Trondr Nefas,” of Urgehal. Redefining Darkness includes guest appearances by ex-Volbeat’s Robert Caggiano on a guitar solo; Taake’s Hoest on vocals; Arcana’s Peter Bjärgö on backing vocals; esteemed pianist, composer, and conductor Olli Ahvenlahti; saxophonist Andreas Huss, the brother of Shining’s longtime guitarist, Peter Huss; and King Diamond’s rockstar guitarist Andy La Rocque, Shining’s producer. Dødheimsgard’s pioneering co-founder Vicotnik also contributed riffs.
Høstsol’s Länge Leve Döden has been accurately described as one of the greatest records of all time. Høstsol is an international Nordic supergroup that was formed in 2020 by Niklas Kvarforth and the legendary Cernunnus of Manes. While the former provides vocals and lyrics, the latter composes all of Høstsol’s music in addition to handling guitars and synths. Länge Leve Döden showcases the artistry of Ajattara bandmates Kalmos and Rainer Tuomikanto as well. Although Mayhem’s Hellhammer was supposed to play on the album, Tuomikanto did such a fantastic job that even Cernunnus has acknowledged that the lineup change likely worked out for the best.
Although the details have not been officially disclosed, Kvarforth has mentioned in interviews that a new Shining EP is on the way. That opus will feature artwork by Maxime Taccardi.
Follow TSI on Instagram for more updates soon. The TSI team is always plotting its next diabolical move.
Items from TSI are available on the label’s webshop as well as from Shining Legions, the official store of Niklas Kvarforth.
