There are two vastly different European metal bands called Shining. While Sweden’s is a long-running black metal band, the Norwegian band Shining released one of our favorite albums a few years back with 2013’s One One One. Since forming in 1999, the band have transformed into an avant-garde instrumental jazz quartet to a black metal band, culminating in 2010’s Blackjazz. Their last album, while still far from traditional metal, was possibly their most commercial yet, and touring the States with The Dillinger Escape Plan certainly helped raise their profile here. Now they’re signed to Spinefarm Records.
Led by Jorgen Munkeby, who flawlessly switches between saxophone and guitar in addition to singing, the quartet are amazingly tight live. They’re working on their seventh album now, which has been mixed by Sean Bevan (Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails, A Perfect Circle) and will be mastered by Tom Baker. Here’s what Munkeby said about the signing:
“Our new album is one of our most varied, encompassing the whole gamut of what we do, from the sinister ferocity and experimentation of Blackjazz to the more focussed songwriting of One One One. It really is the culmination of all the best elements in the Blackjazz world. Shining are now at the high point of our career, with several high-profile tours completed over the past couple of years, so we feel it’s very fitting for us to be moving ahead with Spinefarm Records at this particular time; we are greatly looking forward to working with them to take Blackjazz to the masses around the world, and we can’t wait for everyone to hear our new album!”
