They’ve been called “the Opeth of black metal” by some, and after having to listened to Halmstad, I am inclined to agree. In the same way that Opeth is rather far removed from most other death metal bands, Shining retain some black metal aesthetics and themes, but blend them with a variety of other sounds. Tortured screams give way to bass grooves and eerie, tremulous guitar. Cello interludes are followed by roaring Rammstein-esque marches into oblivion. The atmosphere is consistently one of suicide and despair, but the approach is hardly monotonous.