The invention relates to a burner having a high shape factor nozzle and an annular nozzle surrounding the high shape factor nozzle. The nozzle includes a nozzle opening having a shape factor from about 10 to about 75; and the shape factor is defined as the square of the nozzle perimeter divided by twice the nozzle cross-sectional area. The high shape factor nozzle is configured to be supplied with one of a fuel gas and an oxidizer gas, and the annular nozzle is configured to be supplied with the other of a fuel gas and an oxidizer gas. A method of rapid energy release combustion includes supplying a fuel gas and an oxidizer gas to the burner having the high shape factor nozzle and the annular nozzle surrounding the high shape factor nozzle.