Swedish extreme metal formation Shining is one of the most controversial acts in (extreme) metal today. Much of that has to do with frontman’s Niklas Kvaforth’s maniacal antics. Marcus J, West caught up with Niklas to talk about everything Shining..
Let’s start by talking about your latest live performances, from your guest appearance at Taake’s Inferno 2013 show to delivering an awesome version of their hit ‘Nordbundet’ to headlining the first day at Ragnarök 2013. You seemed in a great shape, what were your personal highlights of both events?
I am hardly in good shape but thank you. The performance with Taake was inevitable with me being in Oslo for other reasons than this godforsaken festival. However, not carrying the word “No” in my vocabulary when it comes to brothers of mine I agreed to appear. I was a bit worried about opening their set though thinking people would be very confused but in the end that bizarre idea worked out brilliantly. The Shining show was our first in months. And I believe it also was the first time we played songs from the new album as a whole band. See, I never rehearse, or rather, they don’t want me there in the rehearsal-place for obvious reasons, so some parts might have sounded a bit weird, but who cares? It was a festival for this overwhelmingly disgusting Pagan Metal Bullshit that we and Carpathian Forest for some reason were headlining. Highlights? It became very clear to me in Oslo that I was certainly not welcomed and more or less considered the great outcast by almost everyone I met or that I used to know a few years back. And that was thrilling indeed, knowing that some of the things I have done have had such an impact on these people that they can’t get me out of their head, although in most cases because they despise who I am.
What was it like to play ‘For The God Below’ at Ragnarök? It is, in my opinion, one of the most distinctive tracks of your latest album, Redefining Darkness.
As said, it was the first time we played this song, but the atmosphere was indeed present and it felt great to honour the prince of darkness in such a flamboyant way. Singing the verses is a bit exhausting though because of the intensity it demands. But that’s just another reason for me to start working out again. Which I honestly need.
Any anticipation on additional Shining’s forthcoming live shows?
Yes, I have been working on a new method of performing the whole ceremony for nearly two years now. I haven’t really reached the point where I have felt that the idea has started to fall in place before now but after the summer we will try to realize this rather complicated vision of mine in flesh. I will not reveal too much but can proudly say that the whole experience will be more that of a show than a mere concert. Of course maintaining the genius of our past but turning things just a little bit… More creepy.
Describe the band line-up as it stands today. At this point in time of your extensive career, do you feel the need of creating certain stability within the band?
As most of you should know by now, Shining are one of the most turbulent bands out there, and of course this has had its toll on the line-up. Much can be blamed on me of course, but in general the problems we’ve had are because of half-assed retards that get themselves into the game on false premises. See, when shit hits the fan, and in our case, every second or third month, people show their true faces. And I for one cannot stand having a band consisting of individuals who start running when these things occur thus I end up firing them to the left and right. Huss however, has remained the longest member of the band with his eight years of service, which is, fucking admirable. Christian might also have it in him but we have to let time be the judge of that. I would say the three of us are the core of the band today while Raikku and Euge are considered as live-members, however permanent. Stability would be great!
Redefining Darkness, Shining’s 8th studio album was released in October 2012. In my opinion, and in many others’ it was one of the best release of 2012 but somewhat did not have the well deserved exposure. What is the current situation with the label?
Let us just say things didn’t work out between us and the label. Now we are without contract, and honestly, we don’t put a lot of energy into deciding who we are going to work together with for the next album. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens. However, this time around we’ll be extremely careful before signing anything, no matter how good the offers might be.
Are you considering any solo projects at the moment or any co-operation outside Shining?
I am working on a solo album and the Christmas spectacle is also starting to move in a positive direction. But as everything is still not a hundred percent set in stone I’ll try remaining silent on those projects for the time being. As for future guest-appearances I have decided to slow things down a bit while focusing on Shining. But yes, there are a few recordings set ahead but with whom will not be revealed until both me and the other artists have agreed that the time is right to do so.
You recently published the book When Prozac No Longer Helps. What is working for Niklas Kvarforth now?
Oh yes, I finally did publish the “book” our fans have been waiting for since I started writing in Swedish. I did take this interest lightly though, a bit too lightly perhaps. As the first pressing is now completely sold out! Quite stunning considering I demanded them sold through our web-shop and through our web-shop only. The good thing about releasing the book, apart from letting people finally understand the lyrics on our records, is that it got me writing a lot more. Not only lyrics and “poetry” but pages and pages of complaints and praises on everything I have to endure on a daily basis. Some of it ending up in a series of columns which are being published (for the time being in French only), and might give people, not only fans of my work, a broader perspective on a thing or two. Hopefully, I’ll find reliable people in the printed media, who can publish these in other languages shortly.
You are showing the world there is a lot in you to share as an artist: music, a book, and now also a documentary. How did you decide to explore this side of your creativity and what are the goals you want to reach with this project?
I have always done everything that I’ve found meaningful at any given time. I have been writing music and lyrics since the day I first held a guitar. But I need to make one thing clear; the coming documentary is not something I or any other members of the band are personally involved with. We have planned a DVD release for years, but never really been satisfied with the results we were getting. But this changed when Martin Strandberg, who directed our first two videos, and I started talking about the idea of making a real documentary focusing on the social factors both inside and outside the band instead of making one trying to dissect the music and whatnot. So… I told him from the very beginning that if this movie is being made, everyone, not only members past and present, but record-labels, concert-promoters and other scum of the earth must be interviewed. And more importantly, I also demanded to never see or hear anything being caught on tape, for the purpose of presenting Shining and foremost myself in a realistic, objective way which definitely would not be possible if I had my say. Martin is a very talented guy and I believe the movie will change a lot of things, for both good and bad.
Describe the way the Legions (www.shininglegions.com) are aimed at sharing the Shining universe with your fans.
Legions is our way of taking back what’s rightfully ours and keeping control over every product being made blessed with our name. See, there are tons of bootleggers out there who make a profit from my art, and that’s quite frustrating, but more so the fact that some of them make designs that I find degrading and even repulsive. Things I myself would never allow to be printed. Of course, bootlegging is impossible to stop in certain parts of the world, but these really do not bother me. What bothers me is people in the west doing this just to make an easy buck. Most cases can be resolved with violence, however, some can’t. And this is our natural reaction towards these cunts! And finally it is rewarding knowing our fans get their hands on products personally approved by us and made with passion and a genuine contempt for life.
What can you tell us about the Commandments you divulge via Facebook? The one that caught my attention was “No.2 ∙ Disrespect Life Now”! A Commandment is known to be a spiritual guidance: for outsiders, the ones you share can be perceived a bit far-fetched. Is this your perception?
Actually, you have mixed up the THE TEN COMMANDMENTS campaign with the VIOLENCE IS FASHION one. I don’t blame you though, as I don’t have access to Facebook myself but the few times I’ve seen what’s going on there it’s no wonder people get confused. See, the commandments campaign include 10 different female models, while the violence one features only males. The ten commandments are as follows:
1. Never Speak The Truth
2. Betray Your Friends
3. Deceive Your Loved Ones
4. Detest Your Fellow Man
5. Humiliate Your Mother
6. Emasculate Your Father
7. Greet Hospitality With Violence
8. Greet Love With Hate
9. Break All Laws
10. Kill Yourself
In the end, something fantastic and extraordinary will come out of this, you’ll see. And yes, these are meant for spiritual guidance for our fans. Ten very easy rules to follow in order to reach the ultimate death of the individual. And shouldn’t commandments be far-fetched? It’s not easy to reach your goals, and if you already have, then why are you still checking your Facebook account? My perception or not, it doesn’t matter… These are, as said, just ten simple rules to follow if you want to reach that special place you’re always talking about when you have a little too much of the midnight wine.
Why does Shining seem to target specifically young girls when advertising the band merchandising? Is that because you perceive them as being the easiest to impress? What about daring targeting a wider audience?
I don’t think we do. It just happens that the female clothing is meant for females. And we are not trying to impress anyone. We are trying to make a difference. I honestly don’t see any other extreme metal band doing what we do. We had this one model who I told to wear headphones and look happy while wearing a “Shining Hates Me” shirt. People got really upset about that for some reason, and that should mean I got what I was striving for. These kids say they want to have the alternative, bullet belt wearing metal sluts with harsh makeup standing with a candle next to a tree looking grim, while in reality, all of us, dream of the beauty queen who doesn’t even know your name. And then people apparently say we’re commercial? Ha-ha. Ok. Fine. But concerning the attention this campaign gained, mostly negative, I would say we clearly made a difference. Like it or not. And do remember that the ninth commandment also speaks to the tiresome self-proclaimed arbiters that constantly preach about what is allowed within the “scene” and not, and who have about as much idea as a maggot about what the whole ethos of Black Metal is really about.
You have always been known for your attention seeking behaviour and very controversial statements: don’t you think that this approach can somewhat distract you from true creativity and Shining fans from your creations?
Given my pervious answer, I will come off as a hypocrite. But the truth is, I wouldn’t call what I do attention-seeking behaviour. I am just being who I am, simple as that. And just because I dare to question “authority” and obviously NOT accept disrespectful behaviour against this sick child of mine, that makes me attention-seeking? That’s really, really sad. But of course there are two sides of every coin. If I, or any other tool within the band, choose to do something or say something that upsets people, what’s wrong with that? Music lacks the element of danger and I would say we are strongly working on changing that.
Marcus J. West
Photo: Fabiola Santini