Shai Hulud debuted with 1997s Profound Hatred of Man, and judging by this years Misanthropy Pure, they havent exactly altered their lyrical approach. The group hasnt really tinkered with its sound, either, but metalcore has changed significantly over the past decade. Whereas popular metalcore now entails a parade of downtuned breakdowns and clean-sung choruses, Shai Hulud stays faithful to the genre’s original definition, bolstering hardcore punk with progressive metal riffs. Despite shuffling through sixteen former members and featuring only one holdover, guitarist Matt Fox, from the original roster, Shai Hulud embraces its past material during its set lists. The group also boasts an impressive arsenal of old-school covers, paying homage to acts such as Bad Brains, NOFX, Metallica and Bad Religion. Shai Hulud demonstrates the benefits of an uncompromised sound: Fans who attended early Shai Hulud gigs can hear the songs they loved (and new tunes in the same vein) at current shows, while younger listeners can appreciate Shai Hulud as a raw, intense alternative to the polished metalcore scene.
Thu., July 31, 7 p.m., 2008
