Shining (Sweden)
Sweden · formed 1996 · last active 2025
Shining is a Swedish depressive/suicidal black metal band formed by Niklas Kvarforth in 1996 — a genuinely distinct entity from the atlas's Norwegian blackjazz Shining (shining-norway). Musically it is rooted in DSBM with early doom influences, gradually adopting clean guitars, solos and odd meters as it drifted toward progressive extreme metal, its avant-garde credentials thinner than most atlas nodes. Its most 'experimental' dimension is arguably Kvarforth's notorious confrontational stagecraft (self-mutilation, razor-blade distribution). Personnel overlap with Mayhem and Arcturus is significant.
SCORE PROFILE
Accent numbers counted towards the index. Hover an axis — or hold it on a phone — for what it means.
WHY THOSE SCORES
- Black 8 — Core identity is depressive/suicidal black metal, founded by Niklas Kvarforth in Halmstad in 1996 (Wikipedia; Season of Mist).
- Technical 4 — Later work adopts clean-guitar solos, tempo shifts and odd time signatures within a progressive extreme-metal turn (Wikipedia).
- Theatrical 4 — Kvarforth's confrontational shock-theater — onstage auto-mutilation and handing out razor blades to audiences (2007) — is a defining live element (Niklas Kvarforth Wikipedia).
- Doom 3 — Early material carried doom influences and slow, depressive riffing before the progressive shift (Wikipedia).
MEMBERS
- Niklas Kvarforthvocals, guitars, keyboards
- Peter Hussguitars
- Charles Hedgerguitars (2018-2022)
- Jan Axel "Hellhammer" Blombergdrums (2001-2004, former)· also in Arcturus
CONNECTIONS
- Arcturuspath →
Jan Axel "Hellhammer" Blomberg, co-founder and drummer of Arcturus, also drummed for Shining 2001-2004. source ↗
- Bethlehempath →
Shining vocalist Niklas Kvarforth provided guest vocals on Bethlehem's 2009 re-recording A Sacrificial Offering to the Kingdom of Heaven in a Cracked Dog's Ear and the 2010 EP Stönkfitzchen. source ↗
- Mayhempath →
Jan Axel "Hellhammer" Blomberg (Mayhem's longtime drummer) played drums in Shining 2001-2004; Charles Hedger (Mayhem guitarist, alias 'Ghul') was Shining's guitarist 2018-2022. source ↗
- Alfa Obscurapath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by Trine + Kim Design Studio (Trine Paulsen + Kim Sølve, Oslo design duo, Discogs artist id 1912469): Shining (Sweden)'s "Redefining Darkness" (2012, credited to both Kim Sølve [Art Direction] and Trine + Kim Design Studio [Artwork] on the same release) and Alfa Obscura's "Plutonian Shores" (2011, Design, Photography By), same Discogs artist id confirmed on both releases. Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7) — Trine + Kim Design Studio is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. source ↗
- Arcturuspath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by Trine + Kim Design Studio (Trine Paulsen + Kim Sølve, Oslo design duo, Discogs artist id 1912469): Shining (Sweden)'s "Redefining Darkness" (2012, credited to both Kim Sølve [Art Direction] and Trine + Kim Design Studio [Artwork] on the same release) and Arcturus's "Sideshow Symphonies" (2005, Design), same Discogs artist id confirmed on both releases. Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7) — Trine + Kim Design Studio is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. source ↗
- Dødheimsgardpath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by Trine + Kim Design Studio (Trine Paulsen + Kim Sølve, Oslo design duo, Discogs artist id 1912469): Shining (Sweden)'s "Redefining Darkness" (2012, credited to both Kim Sølve [Art Direction] and Trine + Kim Design Studio [Artwork] on the same release) and Dødheimsgard's "Supervillain Outcast" (2007, Artwork, Design), same Discogs artist id confirmed on both releases. Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7) — Trine + Kim Design Studio is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. source ↗
- Ephel Duathpath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Kim Sølve (Discogs artist id 340792, distinct from the 'Trine + Kim Design Studio' duo entity): Shining (Sweden)'s "Redefining Darkness" (2012, credited to both Kim Sølve [Art Direction] and Trine + Kim Design Studio [Artwork] on the same release) and Ephel Duath's "Pain Necessary To Know" (2005, Artwork), same Discogs artist id confirmed on both releases. Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7) — Kim Sølve is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. source ↗
- Fleuretypath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by Trine + Kim Design Studio (Trine Paulsen + Kim Sølve, Oslo design duo, Discogs artist id 1912469): Shining (Sweden)'s "Redefining Darkness" (2012, credited to both Kim Sølve [Art Direction] and Trine + Kim Design Studio [Artwork] on the same release) and Fleurety's "Ingentes Atque Decorii Vexilliferi Apokalypsis" (2009, Design), same Discogs artist id confirmed on both releases. Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7) — Trine + Kim Design Studio is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. source ↗
- Godfleshpath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Kim Sølve (Discogs artist id 340792, distinct from the 'Trine + Kim Design Studio' duo entity): Shining (Sweden)'s "Redefining Darkness" (2012, credited to both Kim Sølve [Art Direction] and Trine + Kim Design Studio [Artwork] on the same release) and Godflesh's "Long Live The New Flesh" (2021, Photography By [Band Photo]), same Discogs artist id confirmed on both releases. Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7) — Kim Sølve is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. source ↗
- Ihsahnpath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by Trine + Kim Design Studio (Trine Paulsen + Kim Sølve, Oslo design duo, Discogs artist id 1912469): Shining (Sweden)'s "Redefining Darkness" (2012, credited to both Kim Sølve [Art Direction] and Trine + Kim Design Studio [Artwork] on the same release) and Ihsahn's "The Adversary" (2006, Design), same Discogs artist id confirmed on both releases. Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7) — Trine + Kim Design Studio is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. source ↗
- In Lingua Mortuapath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by Trine + Kim Design Studio (Trine Paulsen and Kim Sølve, Oslo; Discogs artist id 1912469): In Lingua Mortua's "Salon Des Refusés" (2022 Repose Records vinyl edition, Cover) and Shining (Sweden)'s "Redefining Darkness" (2012, Artwork). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7) — Trine + Kim Design Studio is not an atlas band so there is no anchor band. source ↗
- K.F.R.path →
Maxime Taccardi (K.F.R., Griiim) painted the cover art for Shining's Allt För Döden (2023), Avsändare Okänd (2023) and Divided You'll Stand & United You'll Fall (2025). source ↗
- Manimalismpath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by Trine + Kim Design Studio (Trine Paulsen and Kim Sølve, Oslo; Discogs artist id 1912469): Manimalism's "Demo Sessions 1996-1998" (2015, Design, Image Editor) and Shining (Sweden)'s "Redefining Darkness" (2012, Artwork). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7) — Trine + Kim Design Studio is not an atlas band so there is no anchor band. source ↗
- Mayhempath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by Trine + Kim Design Studio (Trine Paulsen + Kim Sølve, Oslo design duo, Discogs artist id 1912469): Shining (Sweden)'s "Redefining Darkness" (2012, credited to both Kim Sølve [Art Direction] and Trine + Kim Design Studio [Artwork] on the same release) and Mayhem's "Ordo Ad Chao" (2007, Artwork [All Artworks And Images]), same Discogs artist id confirmed on both releases. Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7) — Trine + Kim Design Studio is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. source ↗
- Peccatumpath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by Trine + Kim Design Studio (Trine Paulsen + Kim Sølve, Oslo design duo, Discogs artist id 1912469): Shining (Sweden)'s "Redefining Darkness" (2012, credited to both Kim Sølve [Art Direction] and Trine + Kim Design Studio [Artwork] on the same release) and Peccatum's "Lost In Reverie" (2004, Design [www.trineogkim.no]), same Discogs artist id confirmed on both releases. Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7) — Trine + Kim Design Studio is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. source ↗
- Solefaldpath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by Trine + Kim Design Studio (Trine Paulsen + Kim Sølve, Oslo design duo, Discogs artist id 1912469): Shining (Sweden)'s "Redefining Darkness" (2012, credited to both Kim Sølve [Art Direction] and Trine + Kim Design Studio [Artwork] on the same release) and Solefald's "Red For Fire - An Icelandic Odyssey Part I" (2005, Design, Photography By), same Discogs artist id confirmed on both releases. Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7) — Trine + Kim Design Studio is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. source ↗
- Sturmgeistsatellitepath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by Trine + Kim Design Studio (Trine Paulsen + Kim Sølve, Oslo design duo, Discogs artist id 1912469): Shining (Sweden)'s "Redefining Darkness" (2012, credited to both Kim Sølve [Art Direction] and Trine + Kim Design Studio [Artwork] on the same release) and Sturmgeist's "Manifesto Futurista" (2009, Cover, Design), same Discogs artist id confirmed on both releases. Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7) — Trine + Kim Design Studio is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. source ↗
- The Kovenantpath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Kim Sølve (Discogs artist id 340792, distinct from the 'Trine + Kim Design Studio' duo entity): Shining (Sweden)'s "Redefining Darkness" (2012, credited to both Kim Sølve [Art Direction] and Trine + Kim Design Studio [Artwork] on the same release) and The Kovenant's "In Times Before The Light 1995" (2005, Photography By), same Discogs artist id confirmed on both releases. Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7) — Kim Sølve is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. source ↗
- Ulver (electronic era)path →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by Trine + Kim Design Studio (Trine Paulsen + Kim Sølve, Oslo design duo, Discogs artist id 1912469): Shining (Sweden)'s "Redefining Darkness" (2012, credited to both Kim Sølve [Art Direction] and Trine + Kim Design Studio [Artwork] on the same release) and Ulver's "Blood Inside" (2005, Cover [Cover By]), same Discogs artist id confirmed on both releases. Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7) — Trine + Kim Design Studio is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. source ↗
- Ved Buens Ende.....path →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Kim Sølve (Discogs artist id 340792, distinct from the 'Trine + Kim Design Studio' duo entity): Shining (Sweden)'s "Redefining Darkness" (2012, credited to both Kim Sølve [Art Direction] and Trine + Kim Design Studio [Artwork] on the same release) and Ved Buens Ende's "Written In Waters" (2003, Photography By), same Discogs artist id confirmed on both releases. Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7) — Kim Sølve is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. source ↗
- Viruspath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Kim Sølve (Discogs artist id 340792, distinct from the 'Trine + Kim Design Studio' duo entity): Shining (Sweden)'s "Redefining Darkness" (2012, credited to both Kim Sølve [Art Direction] and Trine + Kim Design Studio [Artwork] on the same release) and Virus's "Carheart" (2003, Design, Illustration), same Discogs artist id confirmed on both releases. Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7) — Kim Sølve is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. source ↗
- Yureipath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by Trine + Kim Design Studio (Trine Paulsen + Kim Sølve, Oslo design duo, Discogs artist id 1912469): Shining (Sweden)'s "Redefining Darkness" (2012, credited to both Kim Sølve [Art Direction] and Trine + Kim Design Studio [Artwork] on the same release) and Yurei's "Night Vision" (2012, Design), same Discogs artist id confirmed on both releases. Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7) — Trine + Kim Design Studio is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. source ↗
- Altaripath →
Shared label roster: Svart Records, per MusicBrainz. source ↗
- Angiziapath →
Shared label roster: Napalm Records, per MusicBrainz. source ↗
- Arcturuspath →
Shared label roster: Season of Mist, per MusicBrainz. source ↗
- Bethlehempath →
Shared label roster: The Sinister Initiative, per MusicBrainz. source ↗
- Blut aus Nordpath →
Shared label roster: Spinefarm Records, per MusicBrainz. source ↗
- Cult of Lunapath →
Shared label roster: Chaos Reigns, per MusicBrainz. source ↗
- Dødheimsgardpath →
Shared label roster: Peaceville, per MusicBrainz. source ↗
- Five the Hierophantpath →
Shared label roster: Dark Essence Records, per MusicBrainz. source ↗
- Ihsahnpath →
Shared label roster: Temple of Darkness Records, per MusicBrainz. source ↗
- KZOHHpath →
Shared label roster: Osmose Productions, per MusicBrainz. source ↗
- Öxxö Xööxpath →
Shared label roster: Blood Music, per MusicBrainz. source ↗
- Solefaldpath →
Shared label roster: Avantgarde Music, per MusicBrainz. source ↗
- Ulver (black metal era)path →
Shared label roster: Modern Invasion Music, per MusicBrainz. source ↗
- Ulver (electronic era)path →
Shared label roster: Modern Invasion Music, per MusicBrainz. source ↗
FURTHER LISTENING
Nearest score profiles in the atlas.
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- UnaffiliatedEI 9TitaanBlackTechnicalTheatrical
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- UnaffiliatedEI 12ThorneBlackTechnical
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- UnaffiliatedEI 12LychgateBlackTechnicalTheatrical
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