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Shai Hulud (band)
Encyclopedia
Shai Hulud is an American hardcore punk
band with progressive metal
influences, originally formed in Pompano Beach, Florida
, the band later moved up to Poughkeepsie, New York
.
The name of the band comes from the giant sandworm
s in Frank Herbert
's novel, Dune
.
The two mainstay members of Shai Hulud are considered to be Matt Fox
(guitar), who writes most of the band's musical and lyrical output, and Matt Fletcher
(originally guitar, but then moved on to bass), who assists in writing.
(guitar) and Dave Silber (Bass) formed Shai Hulud in 1995 with Damien Moyal
on vocals, Jason Lederman on drums, and Oliver Chapoy
on guitar. "Matt was playing in several other kinds of bands like rock bands and they just wanted to play some hardcore" says former bassist Jared Allen. However, things with Jason Lederman didn't work out and the band began to look for a new drummer. This, unfortunately, would be something the band would become accustomed to. In 1994, Steve Kleisath
and Matt Fox met for the first time in Tampa, FL, when Matt was filling in on drums for Strongarm
, the band Steve later joined as drummer. With a complete lineup intact, the band recorded a six-song demo and was soon signed to Revelation Records
by Rob Moran, bass player of Unbroken
, who received their demo from Jeanne Probart, a friend that worked in Revelation's mail-order department. Although Revelation loved the Shai Hulud demo, they asked the band to change the name because they thought "it was too difficult to remember". Shai Hulud's first show was played on Halloween in 1996 at Discount
's warehouse for under 50 people.
Damien Moyal quit the band when the band signed to Revelation Records. With the exit of Damien, Shai Hulud would recruit 14 year-old Chad Gilbert
on vocals. The band had a record deal with Revelation Records' subsidiary, Crisis Records. In September 1996, they recorded a three song EP called A Profound Hatred Of Man
which was released in February 1997. On the first 5000 copies of their debut EP, the band's name is misspelled on the spine as, "Shai Halud", but spelled correctly on the cover. This EP started the legacy of Shai Hulud.
band New Found Glory
in 1997. This would pose problems for Shai Hulud in the future. However, they started recording their first full-length, Hearts Once Nourished With Hope And Compassion
, in August 1997. They would finish the album in September and release it in November. Throughout the next year and a half Shai Hulud toured America with Strongarm
, Bloodlet
, Shadows Fall
, Zao, Overcast
, Cannibal Corpse
and Disembodied. A limited edition vinyl of the album was released in 2006, and featured a cover painting by Dan Henk
.
In May 1998 three tracks were recorded for a split with New York's Indecision
entitled The Fall of Every Man
. The split was released in November 1998. As Shai Hulud's popularity grew some of the band's member's interest began to waver. In 1998, Oliver Chapoy
decided to leave the band. He was replaced by Matthew Fletcher
who later moved on to Florida to join the band in January 1999. Matt Fletcher saw Shai Hulud for the first time in Seattle, Washington in 1997 with Strongarm
and NineIronSpitFire. Andrew Gormley
(former Shai Hulud drummer) was also at the show selling Kiss It Goodbye
demos. In June 1999, they recorded a cover of "Fearless Vampire Killers" for the Bad Brains
tribute compilation called Never Give In.
Steve Kleisath quit the band due to personal issues, and Chad Gilbert decided to leave Shai Hulud and become a full-time guitar player for the band New Found Glory. The band forged ahead and recruited Andrew Gormley to fill as drummer on a European tour. Matt Fletcher filled as singer until Geert van der Velde joined the band during the tour. The band returned to Florida determined to continue Shai Hulud. However, Dave Silber had been ready to quit and did so upon their return. In January 2000, Jared Allen, Matt Fletcher's friend from Oklahoma, would fill in the bass player position and quickly join the band in the studio. Three tracks would be recorded for a split with the band Another Victim named A Whole New Level of Sickness
. This and another split, honoring Metallica
, were both released in March 2000. Shai Hulud shared the Metallica tribute split, named Crush 'Em All Vol. 1
, with Boy Sets Fire, covering the song Damage Inc.
. Spikey Goldbach would fill as drummer for the A Whole New Level Of Sickness split and Steve Kleisath would return for the sole track on the Crush Em' All split. In 2001 the band moved on to Poughkeepsie, NY. Chris Cardinal, who used to play for Inner Dam, joined the band to fill on drums, but he later decided to leave the band.
, released on May 20, 2003. The album peaked at number 39 on the Billboard Top Independent albums chart, without any video or radio airplay. Throughout the creation of the new album, the band continued to search for a permanent drummer. Tony Tintari joined the band in the studio while recording the new album.
After the release of That Within Blood Ill-Tempered and a number of tours going into the subsequent year, Shai Hulud and vocalist Geert van der Velde mutually decided it was for the best he leave the band. Geert left and soon thereafter started his solo project The Black Atlantic
, and to join as vocalist for the metalcore band Miscreants. Drummer Tony Tintari left the band to join the indie rock band Holy Roman Empire.
Acknowledging some people may misinterpret the parting as the end of Shai Hulud, the band came out on their homepage indicating that they would not be breaking up; instead, the band would change name to "The Warmth of Red Blood" and continue what had been started with Shai Hulud. They started requesting that anyone who considered themselves up for the challenge of taking over vocal duties record a demo of themselves performing the track "Whether to Cry or Destroy" (quite similar to what The Dillinger Escape Plan did when auditioning new vocalists). In 2005 The band released a retrospective release entitled, A Comprehensive Retrospective: Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Release Bad and Useless Recordings containing rare demos and live tracks.
. The band recorded their third full-length Misanthropy Pure
with Matt Mazzali on vocals and Andrew Gormley
on drums. Released on May 27, 2008, The album peaked at number 35 on the Billboard Top Independent albums chart and 15 on the Top Heatseekers chart. For a number of months, Shai Hulud enlisted the help of former Unearth
& The Red Chord
drummer Mike Justain up until he joined the band Trap Them
. The position of second guitar was filled by Chad Kishick of Miami, Florida, until 2009 when he left the band. Geert Van der Velde temporally returned as vocalist for the band for the 2009 Japan tour, with Parkway Drive and Crystal Lake
.
The band released a split EP with New Found Glory
titled Not Without a Heart Once Nourished by Sticks and Stones Within Blood Ill-Tempered Misanthropy Pure Gold Can Stay being sold only at the "Not Without a Fight" tour. There are two colors limited to a total of only 500 copies and only for sale from either Shai Hulud or New Found Glory at these shows.
, metalcore
and post-hardcore
scene. Bands like 7 Angels 7 Plagues
, Alove for Enemies
, As Hope Dies, As I Lay Dying
, Behind Crimson Eyes
, Crimson Falls, It Prevails
, Many Men Have Tried, Misery Signals
, Mychildren Mybride
, Poison the Well
, See You Next Tuesday
, Silverstein
, The Funeral Pyre
, The Banner
, Unearth
, Life in your way and many more have cited Shai Hulud as an influence.
They cite their influences as Burn, Chain of Strength
, Deadguy
, J.F.A.
, Metallica
, NOFX
, S.F.A., Strongarm
, Testament
, Turning Point
, Uniform Choice
and Voivod
.
, hatred, human psychology to hope and compassion, and their often complex compositions, utilizing elements of hardcore punk
, heavy
, thrash
and progressive metal
.
Shai Hulud was one of the first hardcore/metal crossover band that used the term "metalcore" to describe their music (as shown in the back cover of That Within Blood Ill-Tempered
) and by some fans the band is still considered to be "a true metalcore band", while others, including band members have discarded the term due to their current meaning, e.g, the melodic death metal influenced metalcore, when this genre became a commercial success in early 2000s as "metalcore" and it differed from what the band was playing at that time.
, as stated by the band on many interviews:
, Matthew Fletcher
, Ronen Kaufman, Eric Dellon and Greg Thomas.
Warriors (another reference to Dune
) are a group who provide the backing vocals on all of Shai Hulud's releases. Their names are not listed in any of the liner notes, but on the song "Faithless Is He Who Says Farewell When The Road Darkens," they consisted of Aaron Bedard
, Nick Brunson, Nicole Prizio, Kelly Reaves, and Paul Romanko.
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
band with progressive metal
Progressive metal
Progressive metal is a subgenre of heavy metal originating in the United Kingdom and North America in the late 1980s...
influences, originally formed in Pompano Beach, Florida
Pompano Beach, Florida
Pompano Beach ) is a city in Broward County, Florida, along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean just to the north of Fort Lauderdale. The nearby Hillsboro Inlet forms part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 99,845...
, the band later moved up to Poughkeepsie, New York
Poughkeepsie (city), New York
Poughkeepsie is a city in the state of New York, United States, which serves as the county seat of Dutchess County. Poughkeepsie is located in the Hudson River Valley midway between New York City and Albany...
.
The name of the band comes from the giant sandworm
Sandworm (Dune)
The sandworm is a fictional form of desert-dwelling creature from the Dune universe created by Frank Herbert. They first appear in the 1965 novel Dune, considered to be among the classics in the science fiction genre, and are iconic of the Dune series.In the series, the sandworms called Shai-Hulud...
s in Frank Herbert
Frank Herbert
Franklin Patrick Herbert, Jr. was a critically acclaimed and commercially successful American science fiction author. Although a short story author, he is best known for his novels, most notably Dune and its five sequels...
's novel, Dune
Dune (novel)
Dune is a science fiction novel written by Frank Herbert, published in 1965. It won the Hugo Award in 1966, and the inaugural Nebula Award for Best Novel...
.
The two mainstay members of Shai Hulud are considered to be Matt Fox
Matthew Fox (musician)
Matt Fox is an American musician, founding member and a current lead guitarist for the hardcore punk band Shai Hulud and his side project Zombie Apocalypse....
(guitar), who writes most of the band's musical and lyrical output, and Matt Fletcher
Matthew Fletcher (musician)
"Mad" Matt Fletcher is an American musician, and the current bassist for the hardcore band Shai Hulud, since 1999, and his side project with founding Shai Hulud member Matthew Fox, Zombie Apocalypse...
(originally guitar, but then moved on to bass), who assists in writing.
Early years (1995–1997)
Matt FoxMatthew Fox (musician)
Matt Fox is an American musician, founding member and a current lead guitarist for the hardcore punk band Shai Hulud and his side project Zombie Apocalypse....
(guitar) and Dave Silber (Bass) formed Shai Hulud in 1995 with Damien Moyal
Damien Moyal
Damien Moyal is a musician, designer and artist originally from Florida, now relocated to Michigan, mostly known within the hardcore genre, for his distinctive vocals in the influential bands Culture, Morning Again, and As Friends Rust. He has contributed to over 15 bands, though only a few have...
on vocals, Jason Lederman on drums, and Oliver Chapoy
Oliver Chapoy
Oliver Chapoy is a musician/multi-instrumentalist/producer from Florida, currently residing in Brooklyn, New York, mostly known for his performance in the group Shai Hulud. However he has been in other acts renowned for affecting the Florida hardcore, and metalcore scene tremendously...
on guitar. "Matt was playing in several other kinds of bands like rock bands and they just wanted to play some hardcore" says former bassist Jared Allen. However, things with Jason Lederman didn't work out and the band began to look for a new drummer. This, unfortunately, would be something the band would become accustomed to. In 1994, Steve Kleisath
Steve Kleisath
Steve Kleisath is an American musician. has been a drummer for PULL, Strongarm, Shai Hulud, Further Seems Forever, and En Masse.He is a professional poker player. and also the #5 Ms...
and Matt Fox met for the first time in Tampa, FL, when Matt was filling in on drums for Strongarm
Strongarm (band)
Strongarm was a five-piece Christian metalcore band, formed in Pompano Beach, Florida.-Biography:Strongarm came from South Florida. The band was the result of several local bands who had similar tastes in music and who were all Christians. Jason Berggren started Ikthus which included Chris...
, the band Steve later joined as drummer. With a complete lineup intact, the band recorded a six-song demo and was soon signed to Revelation Records
Revelation Records
Revelation Records is an independent record label focusing originally and primarily on hardcore punk. The label is known for its role in the evolution of hardcore and metallic post-hardcore with important releases by bands such as Youth of Today, Warzone, Sick of It All, Quicksand, Side By Side,...
by Rob Moran, bass player of Unbroken
Unbroken
Unbroken was a Hardcore punk band from San Diego, California. They were influential in the Southern California hardcore scene during the mid-to-late 1990s. The band chose the name Unbroken because they wanted to emphasize their dedication to the straight edge philosophy of drug abstinence...
, who received their demo from Jeanne Probart, a friend that worked in Revelation's mail-order department. Although Revelation loved the Shai Hulud demo, they asked the band to change the name because they thought "it was too difficult to remember". Shai Hulud's first show was played on Halloween in 1996 at Discount
Discount (band)
Discount was a punk rock band that formed in Vero Beach, Florida, in 1995 and disbanded in 2000. Before disbanding, the group's members relocated to Gainesville, Florida, where they performed their last show in August 2000. They released three full length albums, several EPs, and two b-side...
's warehouse for under 50 people.
Damien Moyal quit the band when the band signed to Revelation Records. With the exit of Damien, Shai Hulud would recruit 14 year-old Chad Gilbert
Chad Gilbert
Chad Everett Gilbert is an American musician and record producer. He is a founding member of the rock band New Found Glory, for whom he plays lead guitar, composes music and provides backing vocals...
on vocals. The band had a record deal with Revelation Records' subsidiary, Crisis Records. In September 1996, they recorded a three song EP called A Profound Hatred Of Man
A Profound Hatred of Man
-Reissue:# "The Bonds of Those Who Have No Understanding of Consequences" – 2:29 # "Love Is the Fall of Every Man" – 2:34...
which was released in February 1997. On the first 5000 copies of their debut EP, the band's name is misspelled on the spine as, "Shai Halud", but spelled correctly on the cover. This EP started the legacy of Shai Hulud.
Hearts Once Nourished With Hope And Compassion (1997–2003)
Chad Gilbert departed to found the pop punkPop punk
Pop punk is a fusion music genre that combines elements of punk rock with pop music, to varying degrees. Allmusic describes the genre as a strand of alternative rock, which typically merges pop melodies with speedy punk tempos, chord changes and loud guitars...
band New Found Glory
New Found Glory
New Found Glory is an American rock band from Coral Springs, Florida. Formed in the summer of 1997, founding members were lead vocalist Jordan Pundik, guitarists Chad Gilbert and Steve Klein, bassist Ian Grushka and drummer Joe Marino...
in 1997. This would pose problems for Shai Hulud in the future. However, they started recording their first full-length, Hearts Once Nourished With Hope And Compassion
Hearts Once Nourished with Hope and Compassion
Hearts Once Nourished with Hope and Compassion is the first full length album by hardcore punk band Shai Hulud, released on November 4, 1997, on the Revelation Records' subsidiary, Crisis Records, in CD/LP and 12" clear brown . It is now sold through Revelation Records. It was reissued in a...
, in August 1997. They would finish the album in September and release it in November. Throughout the next year and a half Shai Hulud toured America with Strongarm
Strongarm (band)
Strongarm was a five-piece Christian metalcore band, formed in Pompano Beach, Florida.-Biography:Strongarm came from South Florida. The band was the result of several local bands who had similar tastes in music and who were all Christians. Jason Berggren started Ikthus which included Chris...
, Bloodlet
Bloodlet
Bloodlet was an American metalcore band that formed in Florida in 1992.-History:Forming in 1992, from the ashes of local Central Florida straight edge hardcore band, Solid Answer. As a five-piece band, Bloodlet started quickly by releasing two seven-inch singles in 1993. Even though the fledgling...
, Shadows Fall
Shadows Fall
Shadows Fall is an American heavy metal band from Springfield, Massachusetts, formed in 1995. They are one of the few contemporary metal bands who take their lyrical influence from Eastern philosophy and some references to the Rastafari culture...
, Zao, Overcast
Overcast (band)
Overcast was an American metalcore band that started in the early 1990s, but broke up in 1998 after an unsuccessful tour; in 2008 they reunited to play a show and announced they would release a new album entitled Reborn to Kill Again with 11 re-recorded classic tracks and two unreleased...
, Cannibal Corpse
Cannibal Corpse
Cannibal Corpse is an American death metal band from Buffalo, New York. Formed in 1988, the band has released eleven studio albums, one box set, and one live album...
and Disembodied. A limited edition vinyl of the album was released in 2006, and featured a cover painting by Dan Henk
Dan Henk
Daniel Jonathan Henk is an American artist and writer, noted for his work in tattooing and painting. He has produced record-album covers, political cartoons, controversial articles, and a variety of other media....
.
In May 1998 three tracks were recorded for a split with New York's Indecision
Indecision
Indecision was a hardcore band which was started in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn in 1993 and officially disbanded in the summer of 2000 though they still play shows occasionally.- History :From the band:...
entitled The Fall of Every Man
The Fall of Every Man
The Fall of Every Man is a split EP featuring songs from hardcore punk bands Shai Hulud and Indecision, released on September 15, 1998, on the Revelation Records' subsidiary, Crisis Records, in CD and 10" clear green . It is now sold through Revelation Records...
. The split was released in November 1998. As Shai Hulud's popularity grew some of the band's member's interest began to waver. In 1998, Oliver Chapoy
Oliver Chapoy
Oliver Chapoy is a musician/multi-instrumentalist/producer from Florida, currently residing in Brooklyn, New York, mostly known for his performance in the group Shai Hulud. However he has been in other acts renowned for affecting the Florida hardcore, and metalcore scene tremendously...
decided to leave the band. He was replaced by Matthew Fletcher
Matthew Fletcher (musician)
"Mad" Matt Fletcher is an American musician, and the current bassist for the hardcore band Shai Hulud, since 1999, and his side project with founding Shai Hulud member Matthew Fox, Zombie Apocalypse...
who later moved on to Florida to join the band in January 1999. Matt Fletcher saw Shai Hulud for the first time in Seattle, Washington in 1997 with Strongarm
Strongarm (band)
Strongarm was a five-piece Christian metalcore band, formed in Pompano Beach, Florida.-Biography:Strongarm came from South Florida. The band was the result of several local bands who had similar tastes in music and who were all Christians. Jason Berggren started Ikthus which included Chris...
and NineIronSpitFire. Andrew Gormley
Andrew Gormley
Andrew Gormley was the drummer for the band Rorschach , a hardcore band from New Jersey.- Bands :* Torment - drums * Under Control - drums * Rorschach - drums...
(former Shai Hulud drummer) was also at the show selling Kiss It Goodbye
Kiss It Goodbye
Kiss it Goodbye was a hardcore band from Seattle, Washington, USA that existed from 1997 - 1998.After calling it quits with the New Jersey band Deadguy, Tim Singer and Keith Huckins moved on to form Kiss it Goodbye with bassist Thom Rusnack and drummer Andrew Gormley...
demos. In June 1999, they recorded a cover of "Fearless Vampire Killers" for the Bad Brains
Bad Brains
Bad Brains is an American hardcore punk band formed in Washington, D.C., in 1977. They are widely regarded as among the pioneers of hardcore punk, though the band's members objected to this term to describe their music. They are also an adept reggae band, while later recordings featured elements of...
tribute compilation called Never Give In.
Steve Kleisath quit the band due to personal issues, and Chad Gilbert decided to leave Shai Hulud and become a full-time guitar player for the band New Found Glory. The band forged ahead and recruited Andrew Gormley to fill as drummer on a European tour. Matt Fletcher filled as singer until Geert van der Velde joined the band during the tour. The band returned to Florida determined to continue Shai Hulud. However, Dave Silber had been ready to quit and did so upon their return. In January 2000, Jared Allen, Matt Fletcher's friend from Oklahoma, would fill in the bass player position and quickly join the band in the studio. Three tracks would be recorded for a split with the band Another Victim named A Whole New Level of Sickness
A Whole New Level Of Sickness
A Whole New Level of Sickness is a split EP featuring songs by hardcore punk bands Shai Hulud and Another Victim, released on June 27, 2000, on Trustkill Records and, in Europe, Good Life Recordings, in CD and 12" various colors from brown swirl to purple . Shai Hulud tracks were included in A...
. This and another split, honoring Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
, were both released in March 2000. Shai Hulud shared the Metallica tribute split, named Crush 'Em All Vol. 1
Crush 'Em All Vol. 1
Crush 'Em All Vol. 1 is a split EP by hardcore punk bands Boysetsfire and Shai Hulud, released on March 24, 2000, on Undecided Records, 7" purple , grey , clear red , and Detroit Fest press black . The Shai Hulud cover song "Damage, Inc." was included in A Profound Hatred of Man...
, with Boy Sets Fire, covering the song Damage Inc.
Master of Puppets
-Personnel:Metallica* James Hetfield – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar on track 1, first solo on tracks 2 and 7* Cliff Burton – bass, backing vocals* Lars Ulrich – drums* Kirk Hammett – lead guitarProduction...
. Spikey Goldbach would fill as drummer for the A Whole New Level Of Sickness split and Steve Kleisath would return for the sole track on the Crush Em' All split. In 2001 the band moved on to Poughkeepsie, NY. Chris Cardinal, who used to play for Inner Dam, joined the band to fill on drums, but he later decided to leave the band.
That Within Blood Ill-Tempered (2003–2006)
In 2002, Jared Allen decided to leave the band, and Matt Fletcher moved on to bass. The band recorded a second full-length That Within Blood Ill-TemperedThat Within Blood Ill-Tempered
That Within Blood Ill-Tempered is the second studio album by hardcore punk band Shai Hulud. It was released on May 20, 2003, through Revelation Records on CD and 300 pressings on LP format. A picture disc was released through Matt Fox's At Dawn We Wage War Records on March 30, 2004, with 1100...
, released on May 20, 2003. The album peaked at number 39 on the Billboard Top Independent albums chart, without any video or radio airplay. Throughout the creation of the new album, the band continued to search for a permanent drummer. Tony Tintari joined the band in the studio while recording the new album.
After the release of That Within Blood Ill-Tempered and a number of tours going into the subsequent year, Shai Hulud and vocalist Geert van der Velde mutually decided it was for the best he leave the band. Geert left and soon thereafter started his solo project The Black Atlantic
The Black Atlantic
The Black Atlantic is the Dutch acoustic pop band formed around singer-songwriter Geert van der Velde, former vocalist for the American hardcore band Shai Hulud.-History:...
, and to join as vocalist for the metalcore band Miscreants. Drummer Tony Tintari left the band to join the indie rock band Holy Roman Empire.
Acknowledging some people may misinterpret the parting as the end of Shai Hulud, the band came out on their homepage indicating that they would not be breaking up; instead, the band would change name to "The Warmth of Red Blood" and continue what had been started with Shai Hulud. They started requesting that anyone who considered themselves up for the challenge of taking over vocal duties record a demo of themselves performing the track "Whether to Cry or Destroy" (quite similar to what The Dillinger Escape Plan did when auditioning new vocalists). In 2005 The band released a retrospective release entitled, A Comprehensive Retrospective: Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Release Bad and Useless Recordings containing rare demos and live tracks.
Misanthropy Pure (2006–2009)
In early 2006, the band recorded a three song rough demo with Eric Dellon on lead vocals and drums, featuring former vocalist Geert van der Velde on backup vocals. In March 2006, the band announced they were abandoning the moniker "The Warmth of Red Blood" and keeping the name Shai Hulud. In August 2006, the band signed with Metal Blade RecordsMetal Blade Records
Metal Blade Records is a record label which was founded by Brian Slagel in 1982. The U.S. corporate office for Metal Blade is located in Agoura Hills, California. It also has offices in Arizona, Germany, Japan, Canada, and the UK. The label is distributed in the U.S. by Sony BMG Music...
. The band recorded their third full-length Misanthropy Pure
Misanthropy Pure
Misanthropy Pure is the third studio album by hardcore punk band Shai Hulud, released on May 26 in Europe and May 27 in the U.S. through Metal Blade Records, the band's first record release by that label...
with Matt Mazzali on vocals and Andrew Gormley
Andrew Gormley
Andrew Gormley was the drummer for the band Rorschach , a hardcore band from New Jersey.- Bands :* Torment - drums * Under Control - drums * Rorschach - drums...
on drums. Released on May 27, 2008, The album peaked at number 35 on the Billboard Top Independent albums chart and 15 on the Top Heatseekers chart. For a number of months, Shai Hulud enlisted the help of former Unearth
Unearth
Unearth is an American metalcore band from Winthrop, Massachusetts. Formed in 1998, the group has released five studio albums. Their fourth record, The March was released on October 14, 2008 meeting with high positive reception by many...
& The Red Chord
The Red Chord
The Red Chord is an American grindcore band from Revere, Massachusetts, formed in 1999. The band is made up of vocalist Guy Kozowyk, guitarist Mike "Gunface" McKenzie, and bassist Greg Weeks. The band gained a fanbase with its 2002 debut album Fused Together in Revolving Doors. The second album,...
drummer Mike Justain up until he joined the band Trap Them
Trap Them
- Description :Trap Them's influences include hardcore punk bands, such as Black Flag, Born Against, and Tragedy; metal bands like Dismember and Entombed , and experimental bands like Swans...
. The position of second guitar was filled by Chad Kishick of Miami, Florida, until 2009 when he left the band. Geert Van der Velde temporally returned as vocalist for the band for the 2009 Japan tour, with Parkway Drive and Crystal Lake
Crystal Lake (band)
Crystal Lake is a Japanese metalcore band from Tokyo, formed in 2002.-Early history :Crystal Lake was formed in 2002 in Tokyo, Japan. The demo "Freewill" was released in February in time for the show in Korea which they were invited to by Gmc Records...
.
The band released a split EP with New Found Glory
New Found Glory
New Found Glory is an American rock band from Coral Springs, Florida. Formed in the summer of 1997, founding members were lead vocalist Jordan Pundik, guitarists Chad Gilbert and Steve Klein, bassist Ian Grushka and drummer Joe Marino...
titled Not Without a Heart Once Nourished by Sticks and Stones Within Blood Ill-Tempered Misanthropy Pure Gold Can Stay being sold only at the "Not Without a Fight" tour. There are two colors limited to a total of only 500 copies and only for sale from either Shai Hulud or New Found Glory at these shows.
Recent activity and new album (2011–present)
On January 26, 2011, the band announced that they would embark on a 17-day US tour, beginning on the February 2, 2011 to the 19th. Along with this announcement, Shai Hulud also revealed that they are currently working on the follow-up to Misanthropy Pure, although no estimated release date or status of production was given.Music style, influences and legacy
Shai Hulud has become a very influential band in the underground hardcoreHardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
, metalcore
Metalcore
Metalcore is a subgenre of heavy metal combining various elements of extreme metal and hardcore punk. The name is a portmanteau of the names of the two genres. The term took on its current meaning in the mid-1990s, describing bands such as Earth Crisis, Deadguy and Integrity...
and post-hardcore
Post-hardcore
Post-hardcore is a genre of music that developed from hardcore punk, itself an offshoot of the broader punk rock movement. Like post-punk, post-hardcore is a term for a broad constellation of groups...
scene. Bands like 7 Angels 7 Plagues
7 Angels 7 Plagues
7 Angels 7 Plagues was a Progressive Hardcore/Metalcore band from Racine, WI, United States, a town just south of Milwaukee. 7 Angels 7 Plagues formed in 1999 from the scraps of local Milwaukee bands Castahead and Intercede...
, Alove for Enemies
Alove for Enemies
Alove for Enemies was a Christian metalcore band based in Long Island, New York, US-Biography:The band was founded in 2000, and released their first six song EP independently. The group was founded by singer Erich Barto and drummer A.J. Gonzalez. The band was signed to independent label Polytope...
, As Hope Dies, As I Lay Dying
As I Lay Dying (band)
As I Lay Dying is an American metalcore band from San Diego, California. Founded in 2000 by Tim Lambesis and having completed their first Line-up in 2001, the band consists of vocalist Tim Lambesis, drummer Jordan Mancino, lead guitarist Nick Hipa, rhythm guitarist Phil Sgrosso, and bassist Josh...
, Behind Crimson Eyes
Behind Crimson Eyes
Behind Crimson Eyes is a band based in Australia. The band formed in Melbourne, Australia, in 2004. Their line up currently consists of vocalist Josh Stuart, bassist Garth Buchanan, guitarist/back up vocalist Aaron Schultz and Dan Kerby as drummer....
, Crimson Falls, It Prevails
It Prevails
It Prevails is a five piece metalcore band from Portland, Oregon, formed in 2004. They are composed of vocalist Ian Fike, guitarists Chris Tsanjoures and Jake Harris, bassist Nate Dorval, and drummer Aaron Marsh. The band draws influence from 90s Melodic Metalcore and classic rock...
, Many Men Have Tried, Misery Signals
Misery Signals
Misery Signals is an American metalcore band formed in Wisconsin in 2002. The sound of their music is defined by bright melodies backed up by odd time signatures, chugging riffs, and breakdowns.-Formation :...
, Mychildren Mybride
Mychildren Mybride
MyChildren MyBride is an American Christian metalcore band originating from Madison, Alabama. They are signed to Solid State Records after being noticed by extensive constant touring, including various dates in European countries.-History:...
, Poison the Well
Poison the Well (band)
Poison the Well was an experimental hardcore band from Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, Florida who were last signed to Ferret Music. Guitarist Ryan Primack and drummer Chris Hornbrook were the only remaining members of the band who were involved since their inception, although vocalist Jeffrey Moreira was...
, See You Next Tuesday
See You Next Tuesday (band)
See You Next Tuesday is a deathcore band from Bay City, Michigan. They are currently signed to Ferret Records, an independent record label based in New Brunswick, New Jersey.-History:...
, Silverstein
Silverstein (band)
Silverstein is a Canadian post-hardcore band from Burlington, Ontario, formed in 2000. Their band name is a reference to the famous children's author Shel Silverstein, whom the band had admired and read the stories of as children. They have released a total of five studio albums, three EP's, a...
, The Funeral Pyre
The Funeral Pyre
The Funeral Pyre is an American blackened death metal band from La Habra, California, United States. The band has released three studio albums, two EPs, and two split 7" albums, and consists of guitarists James Joyce and Justin Garcia, vocalist John Strachan, drummer Alex Hernandez, and bassist...
, The Banner
The Banner (band)
The Banner is a hardcore punk and metalcore band from Bloomfield, New Jersey with influences that range from late '80s hardcore, punk rock, heavy metal and NYHC-style metalcore....
, Unearth
Unearth
Unearth is an American metalcore band from Winthrop, Massachusetts. Formed in 1998, the group has released five studio albums. Their fourth record, The March was released on October 14, 2008 meeting with high positive reception by many...
, Life in your way and many more have cited Shai Hulud as an influence.
They cite their influences as Burn, Chain of Strength
Chain of Strength
Chain of Strength was a late '80s and early '90s straight edge hardcore punk band from Southern California.-Biography:The first Chain of Strength release was a 7" EP entitled True Till Death, released through Revelation Records. After parting ways with Revelation, they formed their own Foundation...
, Deadguy
Deadguy
Deadguy was a metalcore band from New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA.-History:Formed in 1994, Deadguy took inspiration from bands like Unsane and Today is the Day. The band took their name from a line in the John Candy movie, Only the Lonely,...
, J.F.A.
JFA (band)
JFA is a hardcore punk band formed in 1981, with roots in Arizona and in Southern California skateboard culture. The original members include Brian Brannon , Don "dred" Pendleton , Michael Cornelius , and Mike "Bam-Bam" Sversvold . Alan Bishop of Sun City Girls also played bass for a while...
, Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
, NOFX
NOFX
NOFX is an American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California .The band was formed in 1983 by vocalist/bassist Fat Mike and guitarist Eric Melvin. Drummer Erik Sandin joined NOFX shortly after. In 1991 El Hefe joined to play lead guitar and trumpet, rounding out the current line-up...
, S.F.A., Strongarm
Strongarm (band)
Strongarm was a five-piece Christian metalcore band, formed in Pompano Beach, Florida.-Biography:Strongarm came from South Florida. The band was the result of several local bands who had similar tastes in music and who were all Christians. Jason Berggren started Ikthus which included Chris...
, Testament
Testament (band)
Testament is an American metal band from Berkeley, California, formed in 1983. They are often credited as one of the most popular bands of the 1980s thrash metal scene...
, Turning Point
Turning Point (band)
Turning Point was a straight edge hardcore band from New Jersey that existed from 1988 to 1991 . Their early releases had the sound of straight edge hardcore of the time, with lyrics relating to social issues or being straight edge...
, Uniform Choice
Uniform Choice
Uniform Choice is an Orange County, California hardcore punk band.-History:Uniform Choice was started by guitarist Myke Bates, bassist Hanson Meyer and drummer Eric Hanna during the Spring of 1982. Bates had been playing with a couple of bands previously in Palm Springs...
and Voivod
Voivod (band)
Voivod are a Canadian heavy metal band from Jonquière, Quebec, Canada. Their musical style has changed several times since the band's origin in the early 1980s...
.
Genre
The band is known within the hardcore scene for their very affecting, well-written lyrics, whose themes range from misanthropyMisanthropy
Misanthropy is generalized dislike, distrust, disgust, contempt or hatred of the human species or human nature. A misanthrope, or misanthropist is someone who holds such views or feelings...
, hatred, human psychology to hope and compassion, and their often complex compositions, utilizing elements of hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
, heavy
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
, thrash
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
and progressive metal
Progressive metal
Progressive metal is a subgenre of heavy metal originating in the United Kingdom and North America in the late 1980s...
.
Shai Hulud was one of the first hardcore/metal crossover band that used the term "metalcore" to describe their music (as shown in the back cover of That Within Blood Ill-Tempered
That Within Blood Ill-Tempered
That Within Blood Ill-Tempered is the second studio album by hardcore punk band Shai Hulud. It was released on May 20, 2003, through Revelation Records on CD and 300 pressings on LP format. A picture disc was released through Matt Fox's At Dawn We Wage War Records on March 30, 2004, with 1100...
) and by some fans the band is still considered to be "a true metalcore band", while others, including band members have discarded the term due to their current meaning, e.g, the melodic death metal influenced metalcore, when this genre became a commercial success in early 2000s as "metalcore" and it differed from what the band was playing at that time.
Religion and beliefs
Shai Hulud is neither a Christian band nor straight edgeStraight edge
Straight edge is a subculture of hardcore punk whose adherents refrain from using alcohol, tobacco, and other recreational drugs. It was a direct reaction to the sexual revolution, hedonism, and excess associated with punk rock. For some, this extends to not engaging in promiscuous sex, following a...
, as stated by the band on many interviews:
Zombie Apocalypse
Shai Hulud also have a side project named Zombie Apocalypse (formerly called Boddicker), whose sound can be summed up as a faster, more chaotic and more manic version of its mother band. It features Matt FoxMatthew Fox (musician)
Matt Fox is an American musician, founding member and a current lead guitarist for the hardcore punk band Shai Hulud and his side project Zombie Apocalypse....
, Matthew Fletcher
Matthew Fletcher (musician)
"Mad" Matt Fletcher is an American musician, and the current bassist for the hardcore band Shai Hulud, since 1999, and his side project with founding Shai Hulud member Matthew Fox, Zombie Apocalypse...
, Ronen Kaufman, Eric Dellon and Greg Thomas.
The Fremen Warriors
The FremenFremen
The Fremen are a group of people in the fictional Dune universe created by Frank Herbert. First appearing in the 1965 novel Dune, the Fremen inhabit the desert planet Arrakis and are based on the desert-dwelling Bedouin and Kalahari Bushmen. In Herbert's novels, Arrakis is the sole known source...
Warriors (another reference to Dune
Dune (novel)
Dune is a science fiction novel written by Frank Herbert, published in 1965. It won the Hugo Award in 1966, and the inaugural Nebula Award for Best Novel...
) are a group who provide the backing vocals on all of Shai Hulud's releases. Their names are not listed in any of the liner notes, but on the song "Faithless Is He Who Says Farewell When The Road Darkens," they consisted of Aaron Bedard
Aaron Bedard
Aaron Bedard is the lead singer for the American hardcore punk band Bane, and has recently began a career in DJing, specializing in Dubstep.Bedard is known for his powerful, and often shouted, vocals. He writes all of Bane's lyrics. Before joining Bane, he sang for the band Backbone with Chris...
, Nick Brunson, Nicole Prizio, Kelly Reaves, and Paul Romanko.
Band members
Current line-up- Mike Moynihan – vocalsScreamingA scream, shout, shriek, hoot, holler, vociferation, yell, outcry, or bellow is a loud vocalization in which air is passed through the vocal folds with greater force than is used in regular or close-distance vocalization...
(2009–present) - Matt FoxMatthew Fox (musician)Matt Fox is an American musician, founding member and a current lead guitarist for the hardcore punk band Shai Hulud and his side project Zombie Apocalypse....
– guitar (1995–present) - "Mad" Matt FletcherMatthew Fletcher (musician)"Mad" Matt Fletcher is an American musician, and the current bassist for the hardcore band Shai Hulud, since 1999, and his side project with founding Shai Hulud member Matthew Fox, Zombie Apocalypse...
– bass (1998–2003 as guitarist, 2003–present as bassist) - Matt Covey – drums (2008–present)
Studio albums
- Hearts Once Nourished with Hope and CompassionHearts Once Nourished with Hope and CompassionHearts Once Nourished with Hope and Compassion is the first full length album by hardcore punk band Shai Hulud, released on November 4, 1997, on the Revelation Records' subsidiary, Crisis Records, in CD/LP and 12" clear brown . It is now sold through Revelation Records. It was reissued in a...
(1997) - That Within Blood Ill-TemperedThat Within Blood Ill-TemperedThat Within Blood Ill-Tempered is the second studio album by hardcore punk band Shai Hulud. It was released on May 20, 2003, through Revelation Records on CD and 300 pressings on LP format. A picture disc was released through Matt Fox's At Dawn We Wage War Records on March 30, 2004, with 1100...
(2003) - Misanthropy PureMisanthropy PureMisanthropy Pure is the third studio album by hardcore punk band Shai Hulud, released on May 26 in Europe and May 27 in the U.S. through Metal Blade Records, the band's first record release by that label...
(2008)
External links
- Official Shai Hulud web site
- Shai Hulud on Metal Blade RecordsMetal Blade RecordsMetal Blade Records is a record label which was founded by Brian Slagel in 1982. The U.S. corporate office for Metal Blade is located in Agoura Hills, California. It also has offices in Arizona, Germany, Japan, Canada, and the UK. The label is distributed in the U.S. by Sony BMG Music...
website - Shai Hulud on Revelation RecordsRevelation RecordsRevelation Records is an independent record label focusing originally and primarily on hardcore punk. The label is known for its role in the evolution of hardcore and metallic post-hardcore with important releases by bands such as Youth of Today, Warzone, Sick of It All, Quicksand, Side By Side,...
website - RuleEveryMoment.com Shai Hulud fansite