Jazz metal collective Shining announce new album “Animal”
SHINING are about to BLOW THE DOORS OFF with new album Animal set for release on October 19 through Spinefarm Records.
Instinctively rebellious multi-instrumentalist, vocalist & songwriter, frontman Jørgen Munkeby, is the unique creative force behind Norway’s trailblazing jazz-metal collective, Shining. Active in the musical underground since 1999, Shining have been breaking down musical barriers since their inception, mixing progressive, technical metal, jazz, avant-garde and experimental sounds with cutting-edge visuals and blazing live performances. Munkeby (skilled saxophonist & guitarist, a graduate of the Norwegian Academy of Music) has released a number of Shining albums, collected awards, toured with the likes of Dillinger Escape Plan & Devin Townsend and effectively forged a whole new musical genre in ‘Blackjazz’.
Now Munkeby is about to make his most audacious move yet…
“I was tired of doing the same thing. I was done with ‘Blackjazz’ and wanted to create something new and exciting. I needed a change. I’m finally at the point where I have nothing to lose and everything to win. We had 360 degrees to play with so we could’ve gone in any direction. This new record is more Muse than Meshuggah, more Ghost than Gojira, and more Biffy Clyro than Burzum!”
From its retina-frying artwork to its relentless stream of memorable refrains, Animal is simply the ultimate 21st century party metal carnival. Entirely saxophone-free yet utterly unmistakable as a Shining release, it’s the Norwegians’ most startling record yet.
Shining have shared two songs from the album; about the title track ‘Animal’, Jørgen comments:
“When we wrote “Animal”, we knew that we would want to announce the album with that song! It’s just such a fun and rocking number, and I also can’t wait to open our live shows with it! Wolf howl, and GO!”
Second track, ‘Everything Dies’, was initially released last year, but this latest version has been mixed & mastered for the new album. Jørgen adds:
“It was the first song we recorded for this album. It covers the mid-tempo heavy part of the record and is also a great lyrical centre-piece.”
Although the new album was once again produced by Shining and their long-time associate Sean Beavan (Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails, A Perfect Circle, etc.), esteemed studio guru Kane Churko (Five Finger Death Punch, Halestorm, Papa Roach), son of the legendary Kevin, was brought in to complete the final mix. The results are dazzling, multi-dimensional and almost stupidly exciting.
Animal follows Shining’s International Black Jazz Society studio album [2015] – also released on Spinefarm Records – on October 19 worldwide.
Pre-order now: shining.lnk.to/animal
Adventurous, compelling and constantly developing, Jørgen Munkeby & Shining are a unique force to be reckoned with.
