The Sinister Initiative set to release an unheard Shining album “The Helsinki Tapes” This December

The Sinister Initiative prepares to unveil Shining’s “The Helsinki Tapes” on Friday the 13th of December. Conceived in 1996 by the tireless genius Niklas Kvarforth, Sweden’s Shining stands as an unsurpassed pioneering black metal powerhouse, and”_The Helsinki Tapes” represent a pivotal moment in the illustrious career of this fabled sonic weapon. These unheard recordings served as the demos for Shining’s groundbreaking eighth full-length classic, “Redefining Darkness”, which redefined extreme music 12 years ago.

“The Helsinki Tapes” feature a devilishly perfect trio: Niklas Kvarforth, the talented Christian Larsson, and the Dødheimsgard legend Yusaf “Vicotnik” Parvez. The brilliant yet ghastly material contained expresses inconceivable levels of evil and a devastating blackness of the rarest and most uncanny order. All those at The Sinister Initiative are therefore certain that this album will prove historic. “The Helsinki Tapes” will be the first new Shining offering since the group’s masterpiece of a self-titled eleventh record premiered on September 15, 2023, courtesy of The Sinister Initiative in tandem with Napalm Records.

Founded in 2020 by Niklas Kvarforth, The Sinister Initiative is likewise run by Cold Prophet’s Tuomas Tahvanainen as well as ex-Enochian Crescent and current Seger’s Mathias Palmroth — the ideal figures to release the title at hand. In fact, under the Nucleart Design banner, Tahvanainen, who doubles as a highly sought-after graphic designer, provided the magnificent cover for “The Helsinki Tapes”.

Speaking of “The Helsinki Tapes”, The Sinister Initiative confirms:

In the wake of our Re-Issue of ‘VIII / Redefining Darkness’, we are finally able to reveal that this December, SHINING will close the book on one of the more cursed chapters of their career. They have chosen to do so by having us release an additional album that we have only been hinting at before this official announcement! ‘THE HELSINKI TAPES’. Niklas Kvarforth has, on countless occasions, mentioned the month that he spent together with Christian Larsson and Yusaf Parvez (DHG) in an apartment that they rented in Finland’s capital. The three resolved to use this space as a base in which to write, experiment and cause various forms of unspecified damage before heading to Varberg to record the new album. For years, the band has wished that these infamous demo tapes could be released officially somehow. We here at TSI, who recently issued the definitive edition of the very album for which these songs were created, feel that the time has now come to release the recording that the band themselves have stressed: ‘Is in so many ways far superior to the actual album itself’.

We may or may not agree on that, but there’s certainly a mesmerizing rawness and constant feeling of unease contained within this otherworldly material. Not to mention, the tapes serve as an audial retelling of how an obscure Black Metal band from Sweden transformed into something different and ultimately way more dangerous than even those involved ever could have anticipated.

CD (Limited to 1000 copies)

LP (Limited to 500 copies)

This December!!!

WWW.THESINISTERINITIATIVE.COM

“The Helsinki Tapes” are now available for pre-order from both The Sinister Initiative and Shining Legions. All copies will be
promptly dispatched; secure the gift of Shining as the ideal Black Christmas stocking stuffer now.

From the two named shops, the “Redefining Darkness” reissue is also still available in a variety of beautiful limited-edition options, so be sure to nab that as well while stock remains. Dedicated to the late Trond Bråthen of Urgehal, “Redefining Darkness” boasts a revered guest on each of the six tracks: Taake’s Hoest on additional vocals, Peter Huss’ brother Andreas on saxophone, ex-Volbeat and ex-Anthrax’s Rob Caggiano on guitars, Arcana’s Peter Bjärgö on additional vocals, and composer Olli Ahvenlahti on piano. Finally, the album’s producer, Andy La Rocque of King Diamond fame, provided a guitar solo on the beloved “For the God Below.”

The Sinister Initiative will furthermore soon be releasing “Feberdrömmar (Del Ett)”, the 11-year re-issue of Shining’s acclaimed 8 ½ compilation, showcasing special appearances from the genre’s best: Mayhem’s Attila Csihar, Skitliv’s Maniac, Trelldom’s Gaahl, Alfahanne’s Pehr Larsson, Peste Noire’s Famine, and ex-Urgehal’s Lars Erik Frøslie. A companion album will follow in 2025.