Shining (NOR) - Blackjazz review
| Band: | Shining (NOR) |
| Album: | Blackjazz |
| Style: | Experimental Jazz, Avantgarde metal |
| Release date: | January 18, 2010 |
| A review by: | Darkside Momo |
01. The Madness And The Damage Done
02. Fisheye
03. Exit Sun
04. Exit Sun
05. HEALTER SKELTER
06. The Madness And The Damage Done
07. Blackjazz Deathtrance
08. Omen
09. 21st Century Schizoid Man [King Crimson cover]
"The ever downward spiral, the inevitable tide
The outlines of a beast, slowly taking form
Pixel by pixel, giving birth to deadly shape"
The outlines of a beast, slowly taking form
Pixel by pixel, giving birth to deadly shape"
Replace 'pixel' by 'note', and that is quite an accurate description of what you're about to face with this Blackjazz?
Oh My Fucking God
Yeah that'll probably be your reaction when you'll hear it. And for a good reason: this is one of the most mind-blowing albums released in 2010. A unique, weird, and really violent monster of a record. So be prepared for quite a ride, and not an easy one at that!
The Ultra-Violence
Deviant electronica, aggressive industrial sound processing, a real and almost physical wall of sound pounding on your ears and brain. Distorted guitars? but not as much as the vocals, which are sometimes twisted beyond recognition. And insane drumming, more than awesome in its craziness and technicality. Oops. I just forgot there are weird 'Space Invaders' sounds ("The Madness And The Damage Done", "Fisheye"), and also some noisy, unbearable moments ("Exit Sun", "Omen").
But how can one really describe this, anyway? Let's try to add some more elements beyond this collage of adjectives and barest descriptive hints.
So? We've got some quieter moments, here and there. Quieter, but usually not completely comfortable, especially considering they only prepare for more aggression. There are also these always moving song structures, with threads woven in and out across the songs (that's easily noticeable with the vocals, for example), and all this ultra-violence flowing in a - seemingly - barely controlled chaos? just like on a jazz record. A dark, completely unhinged one, that goes without saying.
And then? This crazy sax. Yeah, the one that also appeared on Ihsahn's After, it's quite unforgettable on "Helter Skelter" which is soooo King Crimson - with an harsher edge of course.
21st Century Schizoid Man
Speaking of King Crimson, one can help but notice this cover (featuring Enslaved's Grutle). It is totally different from the original? yet unmistakably the same. It's twisted almost beyond recognition, aggressive and noisy as never before. Exactly the reasons why it's terribly relevant and still totally progressive (as in, forward movement in music, you know). Maybe the song's title never fitted so well before... The climax of a mind-bending album.
Blackjazz Deathtrance
This song has such a suitable name. It is exactly that: a trance of death totally encompassing the whole Blackjazz album. And as such, 11 minutes of pure twisted bliss - but without the saxophone.
A dark diamond hidden in a noisy hell.
And that is the perfect description of this album.
The Madness And The Damage Done
This music sure is brain-damaging. By the time you'll have understood what really happens on this record, your ears will bleed, and your brain will have melted away. This audio pain will make you crazy, yet in your masochism you'll crave for more. You're indeed mad, the damage is done.
Come join the club!
 | Written on 14.02.2011 by Once your regular Hellfest reporter, now retired. I (strangely enough) listen to a lot of metal. And enjoy good beers, comics, novels and role-playing games. |
Comments
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| Mechanist Account deleted |
Mechanist
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"I've been afflicted with the Blackjazz Deathtrance"...  In all fairness, this is one of the most exciting and original albums that I've listened to in recent times! I've been mad for years but this album really put purpose to my insanity, whatever that means... Very good review! A thumbs up if you will! 
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| BaZaH Account deleted |
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| Darkside Momo Retired Elite Posts: 9089  |
Written by [user id=109200] on 14.02.2011 at 12:33 Thank you!
---- My Author's Blog (in French)  "You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you" "I've lost too many years now I'm stealing back my soul I am awake"
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| corrupt With a lowercase c Admin Posts: 3594  |
I've been trying to articulate this sound. It's like Al Jourgensen and Marilyn Manson teaming up with Varg Vikernes for a jam-session but Dragonforce were already playing in that room. I was worried about this review but you definitely nailed it. Not that describing the album would give anyone any clue as to what he's in for. But knowing it, there's much truth to your words. Really impressive.
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| Darkside Momo Retired Elite Posts: 9089 |
Written by corrupt on 14.02.2011 at 14:26 Thank you! I must admit, at first it was pretty hard to write... But once I gave up the idea of a precise description, it flowed much more easily.
---- My Author's Blog (in French) "You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you" "I've lost too many years now I'm stealing back my soul I am awake"
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| Troy Killjoy perfunctionist Staff Posts: 21306  |
I have no clue how so many people regard this as the most interesting, mind-blowing, eccentric collaboration of blah blah blah. Is nobody else simply bored by this? There are parts of descriptions in the review I agree with, but mostly this is just something I'd have on in the background while I read a book just for the sake of hearing something other than traffic outside my apartment. 5/10 from me, 6 if I'm really digging that whole "background music" aspect, which is not often.
---- "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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| corrupt With a lowercase c Admin Posts: 3594 |
Written by Troy Killjoy on 14.02.2011 at 16:15 I could listen to pretty much anything in the background. It's what you hear when you listen closely that's interesting to me. The chaotic complexity that still sounds really easy as a whole. That doesn't make it the best album of 2010, but still something really interesting that I'm happy to have found.
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| !J.O.O.E.! Account deleted |
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| Baz Anderson Staff Posts: 13255  |
I think the album has been greatly overrated due to it's original sound. It is an interesting album, it is good - but I think the fad will eventually wear off.
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| Fat & Sassy! Elite Posts: 3857  |
Written by Baz Anderson on 14.02.2011 at 18:45 Fad? I think it's just folks who like to hear wildly original music who are giving it such praise. I mean, to most, progressive music is supposed to push music forward and break boundaries. This is exactly what this album does. It's an artistic statement. Now, I cannot predict the future, but I think this album will have a significant impact on future experimental music. It holds a certain relevance that a band like Mr. Bungle or Primus does; the album may not influence the direction of your favorite typical heavy metal music, but it's just as important in the grand scheme of things because they are pushing the envelope. I mean, someone has to.
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| DethDonald Posts: 17 |
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| Darkside Momo Retired Elite Posts: 9089 |
Written by Fat & Sassy! on 14.02.2011 at 19:08 Couldn't have said it better myself 
---- My Author's Blog (in French) "You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you" "I've lost too many years now I'm stealing back my soul I am awake"
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| Daydream Nation Account deleted |
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| Darkside Momo Retired Elite Posts: 9089 |
Written by [user id=100467] on 14.02.2011 at 21:36 Thank yyou  And I definitely agree with all wrote too.
---- My Author's Blog (in French) "You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you" "I've lost too many years now I'm stealing back my soul I am awake"
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| neonxaos Posts: 166 |
When my friends tell me that all metal sounds the same, I put this on. Then they run away in fear, and I don't have to listen to any more of their BS musical prejudice 
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| Troy Killjoy perfunctionist Staff Posts: 21306 |
Written by corrupt on 14.02.2011 at 16:40 As could I - the problem with this album is it wasn't supposed to be "background noise", it was supposed to be captivating or transfixing somehow (according to the hordes of metalheads lauding its avant-garde nature, anyway). I get the whole "it's new and exciting" thing, and maybe it isn't a fad per se, but there's definitely a lot of love being thrown in its direction simply because it's something new, and in my opinion, not because it's something good. Written by [user id=4365] on 14.02.2011 at 17:28 Agreed and understood I suppose. I wouldn't call it mind-bending at all, but it seems to be fucking a lot of people's heads in and I still haven't gotten my fix from it. PS - that movie is much better than this album.  Written by [user id=100467] on 14.02.2011 at 21:36 I didn't choose to "take it" as background music, it just turned out that way. It was so boring and "easy" it just sounded better as something I didn't need to put all my focus on. It didn't DEMAND my attention; in fact, it did the exact opposite. I went in with a clear conscience, ignoring the hype and high ratings, and listened from start to finish. The first two or three songs kind of brought new ideas, but then something about that "new style" just became drab. I lost interest completely, twiddled my thumbs, lurked in forums, etc. And it absolutely had no effect on how I perceive music. That's just a ludicrous statement to be honest, and one that contributes to the hype surrounding what is really a hit or miss album. I understand it's "art" and innovative and genre-transcending and all the positive adjectives that have been thrown its way since its release...but let's be honest, it's far from the greatest album of all time (or even this year) and it won't automatically alter everyone's perception of how they listen to metal music.
---- "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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| Bigpaul Posts: 74  |
Interesting listen but I didn't find it very memorable. Sounds like an acid fuelled jam session with Al Jorgenson, Josh Homme, Devin Townsend and the girl from Sigh.
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| !J.O.O.E.! Account deleted |
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| Slayer666 Posts: 2466  |
Written by Troy Killjoy on 14.02.2011 at 16:15 Yeah, I don't get this one either. I mean, it is very, very interesting and fresh, the musicianship is great and all that, but I just can't actually enjoy it. It lacks that something...
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| Troy Killjoy perfunctionist Staff Posts: 21306 |
Written by [user id=100467] on 15.02.2011 at 14:41 I second what Joe said in regards to bad sex, but what I meant by "easy" was it was simple to digest despite its lauded complexity.
---- "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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| IronAngel Posts: 4887  |
I'm not sure how I feel about this album. It's interesting and fun when you pay attention, but it's not very pleasant or alluring; I've never felt like "Yeah, I'd like to hear that stuff now." I've put it on when I decided to, but I have yet to come back to it spontaneously. As far as technical or progressive music goes, this is pretty good though. I might even say very good. I like my experimental stuff a little different, but this works too. As for the review, nicely done with the structure. The bold lines (and their lack of symmetry) offended my aesthetic sensibilities, but I did like the idea!
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| Darkside Momo Retired Elite Posts: 9089 |
Written by IronAngel on 16.02.2011 at 00:49 Thanks a lot!
---- My Author's Blog (in French) "You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you" "I've lost too many years now I'm stealing back my soul I am awake"
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| Daydream Nation Account deleted |
Daydream Nation
Account deleted Written by Troy Killjoy on 16.02.2011 at 00:31 By "bad sex," I mean unsatisfying sex. Just ask the 10% of American men and 20% of American women who don't find sex satisfying with their partners... But yes, that's an interesting take on the album that I fully respect. Having listened to Blackjazz over 55 times, I can honestly say that I think Blackjazz is both complex and digestible at the same time. But you know my opinion, haha. Avant-garde/jazz fusion metal is the metal I am most partial to, especially if there are any death elements in it. Cynic, older Atheist, even Ihsahn...I dig.Oh, and one more thing. Maybe you'll see my point-- listen to Blackjazz a couple more times and listen to your favourite Devin Townsend/SYL album. On decent headphones. It's amazing what details you'll pick up after listening to the craziness of Blackjazz. And if you guys really want to laugh, compare it to "In the Kingdom of Kitsch..." album. Then you'll see just how far Shining has progressed, and even see parts of Blackjazz in a jazzy form.
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| Introspekrieg Totemic Lust Elite Posts: 2749  |
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| Troy Killjoy perfunctionist Staff Posts: 21306 |
Written by [user id=100467] on 16.02.2011 at 03:48 Not possible, as I don't like any of Townsend's works. And I have two pretty decent sets of headphones. I've got Skullcandy's with an added bass subwoofer, and a set of Sony stereo high-performance noise-canceling headphones with movie, normal, and music settings.
---- "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Elite Posts: 40071  |
Written by Introspekrieg on 16.02.2011 at 06:53 yes.
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996 
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| Darkside Momo Retired Elite Posts: 9089 |
Written by Introspekrieg on 16.02.2011 at 06:53 Yes there is, for sure! But I understand your puzzlement, as I was finally able to listen to Grindstone, and surely the jazz on that one is at the same time more important, and more 'classical' (ah, the piano solo on "Winterreise")
---- My Author's Blog (in French) "You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you" "I've lost too many years now I'm stealing back my soul I am awake"
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| Lovecraft Account deleted |
Lovecraft
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I really haven't listened to the album enough times to judge it. I listened to it once, and I found it interesting, but somehow forgettable. I should definitely give it some more spins to see for myself. As for the review, I liked it. I liked how you divided it. It was definitely a good read and it makes me want to listen to the album again.
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