Band:	Shining
Album:	II - Livets Ändhållplats
Style:	Depressive black metal
Release date:	June 21, 2001
A review by:	KwonVerge

01. Ett Liv Utan Mening
02. Att Med Kniv Göra Sig Illa
03. Ännu Ett Steg Närmare Total Utfrysning
04. Död
05. Svart (Ur Dagerman's Perspektiv)
06. Livets Ändhållplats
07. Manipulation Mass [bonus]

One year after their debut album, "Within Deep Dark Chambers", Shining, "The Suicide Squadron Of Stockholm" (as it is being written on the back of their second release), managed to return stronger with a brilliant piece of self-destructive, anti-humanistic and suicidal black metal that will pin the listener to the ground. "Shining II - Livets Andhallplats" came out of the darkness of Scandinavia during 2001 and at that very moment a twisted wind of negative and ominous emotions started blowing so as to destroy everything remaining pure and kind.

"Livets Andhallplats" was recorded and mixed at Peter Tägtgren's renowned Abyss Studios and the band and Hypocrisy's main figure achieved the ideal production for this recording which means a bit blurry and cold/lifeless sound through the whole duration of the album. Oddly, you can hear every instrument, even the bass pulses are vivid, something positive making the whole aesthetic more menacing and the fact that the wall of sound is a bit blurry is not negative at all, it adds to the atmosphere.

Mid-tempo black metal passages that leave wounds on the skin that starts to bleed turn to raging outbursts that can only be compared to the spasmodic movement of someone leaving his final breath while hanging from the noose, willingly. These are the main passages that you'll find on this album, yet, without forgetting to place some more fragile passages with arpeggios that make the whole feeling more? tranquil, but this tranquility doesn't last for ever, it's probably the tranquility while waiting for death to arrive and torment your body and soul through the powerful outbursts of Shining. The one great riff comes right after the other and they have that razorblade sound i so much adore. Kvarforth did some really great work in the guitar factor, evoking so many negative emotions, not only through his guitar riffing but also from his tormented howls that shatter you within. The rhythm section is really good with the drumming being either raging and soul-crushing or accompanying and the bass lines lending their nocturnal pulse to the compositions.

Shining with their second attempt managed to compose a really great album, consisting of 6 compositions, with the first three being wonderful and inspired and the last three being just perfect, preparing the listener to meet his doom. If you find it somewhere don't skip, but "remember that by purchasing this product you support the death of yourself.."

Highlights: The misanthropic maelstroms bearing the names "Död" and "Svart" and the great ending composition "Livets Andhallplats" that unleashes its grandeur both in more tranquil and utterly raging ways.