Niklas Kvarforth is a multi-instrumentalist musician, best known as the founder, main composer and vocalist of the Swedish black metal band Shining. He was only twelve years old when he started the band. By the time Kvarforth was fourteen, Shining had released their first EP, 'Submit to Selfdestruction', on which he played guitar and bass. It was not until the band released their first album, 'Within Deep Dark Chambers', that Kvarforth became the band's vocalist.

Shining openly promotes suicide and self-harm in all its forms. Kvarforth has claimed, with contentment, that there have been some cases of people committing suicide at least partially under influence of Shining's music.

In 2004, Shining split-up but reformed later the same year with a new line-up capable of live shows. Since the their fourth album, 'The Eerie Cold', Shining has developed a more progressive sound by incorporating clean guitars, guitar solos, different vocal styles and tempo changes.

Kvarforth has caused a lot of controversy in his career, primarily with his violent stage antics. When performing with Shining, he has become known for self-harming onstage, e.g. cutting himself severely, burning himself. In July 2006 Kvarforth "disappeared" and it was presumed that he has committed suicide. The band was said to continue with a new singer named "Ghoul", as one of the wishes from Kvarforth. However, in February 2007, at Diezel in Halmstad, Sweden, "Ghoul" was revealed to be Kvarforth. The concert was violent in nature, sparking controversy in the Swedish media, with Kvarforth occasionally fighting the audience and the guest vocalists (Attila Csihar, Maniac and Nattefrost). Razorblades were handed to a member of the audience, and one person was kicked in the chest after grabbing Kvarforth's genitals; who was in turn exposed to numerous physical assaults by Maniac.

In March 2011, it was announced that Kvarforth would be quitting all other projects, with the exception of his side-band, Skitliv, in order to concentrate on Shining.