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Shining - X - Varg Utan Flock



7.9 | 175 votes |
Release date: 5 January 2018
Style: Progressive black metal

Owners:

95 have it
11 want it


01. Svart Ostoppbar Eld
02. Gyllene Portarnas Bro
03. Jag Är Din Fiende
04. Han Som Lurar Inom
05. Tolvtusenfyrtioett
06. Mot Aokigahara

Staff review by
nikarg
Rating:
8.5
Niklas Kvarforth is one of the most controversial figures in the metal scene, but even those who dislike his personality and behaviour - myself included - do admit that Shining's music is most of the time top-tier metal to slit your wrists to. However, X - Varg Utan Flock is so much more than just the depressive/suicidal black metal child of a troubled mind.

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published 09.01.2018 | Comments (12)

Found in 22 lists
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Comments

Comments: 25   [ 1 ignored ]   Visited by: 549 users
01.11.2017 - 21:37
VIG
Account deleted
No, thanks!
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02.11.2017 - 12:39
VIG
Account deleted
Written by [user id=142921] on 02.11.2017 at 11:00

but it's number X! ;o

So?
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Album Release day (January 05, 2018)
06.01.2018 - 14:41
Rating: 9
Archie 666
Great album. Songs structures, melodies, that piano bit on song 5 is a great touch, brutality is here as well(duh), the overall sound of this album is fantastic. Stellar album from Shining, gave it around 6 spins and each time I found something new in it. I am very impressed
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06.01.2018 - 21:25
Rating: 9
Lord Slothrop
Written by Archie 666 on 06.01.2018 at 14:41

Great album. Songs structures, melodies, that piano bit on song 5 is a great touch, brutality is here as well(duh), the overall sound of this album is fantastic. Stellar album from Shining, gave it around 6 spins and each time I found something new in it. I am very impressed

Agreed. I'm liking this album a lot more than I thought I would, and I'm a fan.
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06.01.2018 - 21:29
Karlabos
I misread as "Symphony X"
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"Aah! The cat turned into a cat!"
- Reimu Hakurei
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07.01.2018 - 15:34
Rating: 10
Kuroboshi
So surprised by this! Awesome! Even surpasses IV and V, totally breaking the slight downward slope they had. The first album of 2018 I listen to is a 10, what a great year to start the year (considering I only had 1 10er of the entire of 2017...)
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07.01.2018 - 17:44
3rdWorld
China was a neat
That's a lot of praise, missed the last full length IX, might check this out later today.
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08.01.2018 - 11:51
Rating: 9
X-FrEaK
Written by Kuroboshi on 07.01.2018 at 15:34

So surprised by this! Awesome! Even surpasses IV and V, totally breaking the slight downward slope they had. The first album of 2018 I listen to is a 10, what a great year to start the year (considering I only had 1 10er of the entire of 2017...)

More or less this. I wouldn't rate it 10 and I wouldn't say it surpasses V, but it's their best since Halmstad, no doubt, and one of the contenders for album of the year (released in the fifth day of said year xD)
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09.01.2018 - 00:32
Rating: 7
flightoficarus
Stamp Tramp
I've never really understood the hype around this project. It's decent enough, but nothing about it screams out at me.
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Daily underground metal recommendations at Metal Trenches.
Watch metal content on the Metal Trenches YouTube Channel.
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09.01.2018 - 01:48
Rating: 8
X-Ray Rod
Skandino
Staff
Written by Kuroboshi on 07.01.2018 at 15:34
Even surpasses IV and V,

That is a HUGE statement, given that those two are usually considered their best. Guess I'll have to check this out.
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Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29
Like you could kiss my ass

Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
Rod, let me love you.

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09.01.2018 - 01:59
Maco
Pvt Funderground
The amount of praise is... wow. Gonna listen to this as soon as possible.
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Crackhead Megadeth reigns supreme.
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09.01.2018 - 23:16
Rating: 9
Netzach
Planewalker
Huh, what are you saying? Shining got their shit together? I thought I wouldn't have to listen to them again but guess I have no choice now.
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My "blackened synth metal" solo project: maladomini.bandcamp.com.

Whenever I write something funny, weird, or pretentious... I learned English by playing Baldur's Gate, okay?
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10.01.2018 - 19:19
Maco
Pvt Funderground
It's tight.
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Crackhead Megadeth reigns supreme.
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12.01.2018 - 18:34
Maco
Pvt Funderground
I think this album is gonna be my new addiction.
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Crackhead Megadeth reigns supreme.
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13.01.2018 - 17:22
Rating: 8
X-Ray Rod
Skandino
Staff
Written by Maco on 12.01.2018 at 18:34
I think this album is gonna be my new addiction.

Fuck, that good? Damn. I guess I really do gotta hear it to believe it.
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Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29
Like you could kiss my ass

Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
Rod, let me love you.

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15.01.2018 - 06:12
Rating: 9
RuBH
This is excellent.

Now I have to check out their back catalog.
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22.01.2018 - 23:37
Rating: 9
Dum-Grishnahk
Still includes depressive parts. I think first track may be black metal song of 2018.
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23.01.2018 - 06:12
Rating: 10
Balthazaar
This year is begining so well. Maybe, Niklas has done again, and the covers on the deluxe edition are so awesome too. (In the Cold Light of Morning, Cry Little Sister)
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27.01.2018 - 17:55
Rating: 9
Cobalto
Extremely solid album, amongt their best. first two songs are pure gold . the covers are not as good as the rest of the album but don´t do any damage either
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24.02.2018 - 02:05
VIG
Account deleted
Yeah this is actually pretty good.
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08.03.2018 - 17:10
Rating: 6
Alex F
I didn't believe the hype, but this actually their best since V
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22.03.2018 - 04:27
Rating: 8
DeathMetal
Nothing stood out for me on this one, but it was still a good couple spins.
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20.03.2019 - 16:16
mz
It sounds pretty good indeed. The thrashy parts kill the vibe for me, though.
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Giving my ears a rest from music.
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19.05.2019 - 08:19
Rating: 9
tintinb
The first 4 songs in this album is the actual album for me. The rest of them are pretty awesome too but comparatively not as great. Definitely like the harder parts more than the softer parts.
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Leeches everywhere.
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24.08.2019 - 08:57
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Staff
In typical Shining fashion, this album features the expected balance of aggression and depression, bursting from the seams of chaos only to end on the edge of a blood-stained knife.

The album begins with an eerily reminiscent riff hearkening back to the band's Vth release, steadily rising into well-chartered territory from there, but in a way that folds nostalgic bliss with newfound excitement. Anyone familiar with the band will appreciate the modernized throwback sound bent on capturing Shining's most prolific elements from a stylistic perspective -- the raspy whispers, uncomfortable off-kilter screams and shrieks, acoustic breakdowns, beautiful and haunting melodies -- and anyone unfamiliar will be treated to one of black metal's most controversial, provocative, evocative vocalists.

This is for sure one of the most consistent offerings Shining has released to date, as it captures the essentials of what put the band on the radar back in the day, but it somehow feels fresh and still passionate despite so much external scrutiny over the years. You'd expect it to have some sort of adverse affect on the music, but this project continues despite the backlash, and in fact likely thrives on it.

Keep feeding Kvarforth with your (well-deserved) hate, he'll just shit out another solid album.
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"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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