Shining ... Best 21st Century ProgRok Band ever!!!

As an avid listener to progressive rock since it's very early inception, I must say that I am very impressed with Shining from Norway, not the other Shining(Swedish black metal band).

If you took the first four King Crimson albums and blasted them into the 21st schizoid century, man you would have something that sounds a lot like Shining. I'm too old to dig new metal bands anymore, but Shining's thrash metal influences fit perfectly with their vision of a relevant and modern progressive rock sound.

Can anyone please recommend any bands that are similar, bands whose sound has ties to the past, but they still sound modern and totally kick-ass!!! I especially like Shining's use of woodwind instruments.

Edited by Easy Money - September 06 2008 at 23:30

I’m not really sure what a “blackjazzer” is, but it seemed like a cool thing to call a member of Shining, who just released their album Blackjazz, which blends death metal, jazz, and prog. Anyway, we talked to Torstein Lofthus, the band’s drummer, about his work with the band, his other projects (such as Elephant9) as well as his influences and some other stuff. Read the interview with Torstein HERE.

I wonder what Whitejazz would sound like.

Easy Money wrote: As an avid listener to progressive rock since it's very early inception, I must say that I am very impressed with Shining from Norway, not the other Shining(Swedish black metal band). If you took the first four King Crimson albums and blasted them into the 21st schizoid century, man you would have something that sounds a lot like Shining. I'm too old to dig new metal bands anymore, but Shining's thrash metal influences fit perfectly with their vision of a relevant and modern progressive rock sound. Can anyone please recommend any bands that are similar, bands whose sound has ties to the past, but they still sound modern and totally kick-ass!!! I especially like Shining's use of woodwind instruments.

John, still looking for such recommendations?

harmonium.ro wrote: Easy Money wrote: As an avid listener to progressive rock since it's very early inception, I must say that I am very impressed with Shining from Norway, not the other Shining(Swedish black metal band). If you took the first four King Crimson albums and blasted them into the 21st schizoid century, man you would have something that sounds a lot like Shining. I'm too old to dig new metal bands anymore, but Shining's thrash metal influences fit perfectly with their vision of a relevant and modern progressive rock sound. Can anyone please recommend any bands that are similar, bands whose sound has ties to the past, but they still sound modern and totally kick-ass!!! I especially like Shining's use of woodwind instruments. John, still looking for such recommendations?

Yes, I like Grindstone, but not Blackjazz so much. I liked them better as an instrumental group.
By the way, did anyone notice this thread went dead back in Sept 2008, I had forgotten all about it.

harmonium.ro wrote: Do you like /know ZU, John?

ZU who?   ... ha ha ... sorry ..ahem .. no I don't know them.
Actually there's lots of bands I don't know. Probably easiest to assume I don't know some band than do.

Edited by Easy Money - June 23 2010 at 17:11

You can chalk me up as another fan of Shining who didn't much care for Blackjazz. Those vocals are a total barrier for me.

Shining is unequivocably splendid, though, just brimming over with ideas and energy.

Idk...I kinda like Blackjazz. I like the upage in heaviness and the more crazed sound. Its totally different to be sure, but I hope they continue to develop this style. My two complaints: Like most others the use of vocals. Its not that I find the vocals to be unlistenable or too harsh...its just they are essentially useless IMO. Don't really add anything. They make a good instrumental band. Second irk...the addition of the KC cover. 8+ minutes wasted on old music done averagely. Definitely would have preferred new music...regardless.