Shining

Shining was formed in 1999 in Oslo by the band’s leader, main songwriter and only permanent member, Jørgen Munkeby. The beginnings of the Norwegian project were vastly different than what it ended up becoming later on, as they started out as a jazz four-piece. In 2001 and 2003, they released their first two records, Where the Ragged People Go and Sweet Shanghai Devil, on which they explored the territories of jazz avant-garde. They gained more recognition in Norway thanks to their following records, In the Kingdom of Kitsch You Will Be a Monster and Grindstone, on which they added some metal elements to their style. The proper breakthrough, however, came with now cult classic Blackjazz that blends experimental rock, jazz, industrial and brutal progressive metal into a cohesive whole. But Jørgen continued his search, venturing into more industrial, rock and metal territories on the subsequent records. Their latest – and most controversial record – is the 2018 Animal, aka the radio-friendly alt or even hard rock album of the Norwegians.