Lista de los grupos Avantgardiste Black Shining (SWE) 8 ½ – Feberdrömmar I Vaket Tillstånd

I've been a follower of Shining since a long time now and, every single release by the band is totally different, however, I don't think this is the case with "8 ½ – Feberdrömmar I Vaket Tillstånd".

The album opens with "Terres des anynomes" which is a re-recorded version (YES, all of the songs included in this album are that, re-recordings) of "Fields of Faceless" from Shining's third studio album "III - Angst - Självdestruktivitetens emissarie." Though, I must say, this is actually my favourite track from the entire album. The track features guest vocals from Peste Noire's frontman Famine, adding a more raw and violent atmosphere rather than a depressive one (the one Shining's music is known to have), plus, Huss' guitar riffs are really old-fashioned in this one, remembering that style the band used to have not so long ago.

Next, we continue with "Szabadulj meg önmagadtól" or as old fans know it "Mörda dig själv..." On this one, we have the reptilian vocals of Attila Csihar, Mayhem's current vocalist. I can't really add something to this song, it has the old Shining style fused with Attila's raspy vocals, nothing out of place for a decent Black Metal song. Its the same thing that was released in 2002 with a 2000's Darkthrone-esque production.

"Ett liv utan mening" is the following track, here, we are accompanied by Pehr Larsson's growls. I can pretty much understand while Niklas wanted him on the album, first off, we all (or I guess) know that Larsson is one the founders of Swedish Melodic Black metal band "Vinterland" in which he plays Guitars and has the role of backing vocalist and also the front man of Black 'n' Roll band "Alfahanne" in which he pretty much does the same, however, this time, he is the lead voice of the group. I wanted to point this out in order to write the following; It is like listening to Forgotten Tomb with Erlend Hjelvik, since Alfahanne has a more rock approaching sound, you can guess the result. This track resembles a lot that one of Taake's compilation record with (surprise!) Niklas and Nocturno Culto.

After that, the album shows us "Selvdestruktivitetens emissarie" and"Black Industrial Misery" with two Black Metal well known figures: Gaahl and Maniac respectively. "Selvdestruktivitetens" featues Gaahl's high pitched and demonic vocals, those of which he is remembered for, mainly with his work in Gorgoroth's "Inicpit Satan" and "Twilight of the Idols" works, there is nothing much to say as well for this track. Meanwhile "Black Industrial Misery" features (in my opinion) the man who was Mayhem's best frontman (alongside Dead), Sven-Erik Kristiansen a.k.a Maniac. I've always admired Maniac's work with Mayhem, even if people complains about this era, I can pretty much say that Maniac knows how to locate his voice, in order to adjust it to a specific recording and with this track, there's no exception; With both Huss' and Larssons' respective duties in Guitars and Bass and Maniac's distorted and loud acute depressing vocals, this track is actually better than its actual recording, my respects to Shining on this one.

Finally, the album concludes with the band themselves, jamming with their song "Through Corridors of Oppression". The track itself doesn't really differs from it's original recording, other more than the production, which, as is widely known, for obvious reasons, it'll be better. Niklas' vocals on this one radically change, from the previous version of "laments" or "screams" to a more clean yet violent sound on it, similar to those of VON's Venien or even resembling those of an early Pantera's Phil Anselmo era, accompanied by the agonizing and ambient sound of the band's melodies. Aside from this, there's nothing more to say about this recording in specific.

Maybe, after reading this, you'll be asking yourselves "Why are you so uncomfortable with this release?" Well, for one simple reason, it wasn't necessary at all! I know, I know, bands can pretty much do whatever they want with their music and/or works, however, this is just pointless. With the years, Shining has progressed in their sound, from a primitive and raw Depressive Black Metal, to a more elaborated and progressive one, adding clean vocals, guitar solos, complex keyboard melodies and other outstanding arrangements, and this release just brings down the whole hard work they've been fighting for. I'm not sure what was the reason behind all of this or why did Niklas and Friends chose to do it, instead of being a developement in the band's trajectory, its a total recoil on it. The new state that, they are working on a new album (that has yet to be titled), I'm up for it as long as its not something like " 8 ½ – Feberdrömmar I Vaket Tillstånd"...

My final statement; I'll recommend this album to anybody who is getting into the band and doesn't like to hear a generic black metal sound. Otherwise, if you like complex things (like their previous releases), I suggest you to not try it at all, yet if you want, you might enjoy it or might end up thinking as me. Sorry Shining, but, the more I can give this album is a 9 (and that's way too much).