Blackjazz - Shining
Blackjazz Image
Metascore
83 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 12 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.0 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 34 Ratings

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0 out of 10
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  • Summary: The Norwegian band led by Jorgen Munkeby has a sharper metal edge than Jaga Jazzist, which was Munkeby's previous band.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. All Music Guide
    100
    This is one of the most assaultive, addictive albums around, a rip-roaring journey through sonic violence that will leave most quivering in the corner and others (a special few) totally enraptured.
  2. PopMatters
    80
    Shining is a rare case these days, a progressive-minded band with the desire to push boundaries with each record yet with enough discipline to know just how much is too much, and with Blackjazz, this band is starting to peak.
  3. No Ripcord
    80
    In the case of Blackjazz, Shining spreads lyrical passages across songs, repeats song titles with different music attached: they basically create an environment that can only be understood as a whole.
  4. Pitchfork
    77
    Shining are combining jazz and metal in original ways, from the filling up of jazz's precious empty spaces with ticking nervous energy to the replacement of metal's vocal aggression with creepy and disconnected noise. And if that's not the same as true originality, it's close enough.

See all 12 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. Even
    10
    Upon first listening, I found it quite harsh. It's kind of listening to barbed wire. But then you start to "get it" and it is completely mesmerizing. It is, hands down, the best album I own, and I have been listening to quite a lot of heavy/black metal music. It is a lot more metal than jazz, but Jørgens saxophone solos here and there reminds you where he comes from. Give the album 3-4 rounds through your CD-player/mp3-playlist before you move on. I promise it is worth it.

    Favourite tracks: Madness and the damage done, Fisheye and Blackjazz death trance.

    PS: I tried giving the album a 10/10 here on Metacritic, but I keep getting a error saying that "Score (10.0) id must be a floating point number).    … Expand
  2. RaysNBeanies
    8
    I liked it a lot. I think it's fresh, and has something that modern music just doesn't have this days. It was a great album, that I strongly suggest others to listen.… Expand

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