Shai Hulud - Misanthropy Pure

Shai Hulud is easily one of the most influential bands to exist in the realm of hardcore and metal since their inception in the mid-90's. A name that is unfortunately ignored by a large portion of newer kids getting into these styles of music considering, that the landscape of this music might look significantly different had Shai Hulud never come into existence. Of course, Shai Hulud hadn't released a record in over 5 years prior to this earlier in the year, so it's somewhat understandable.

Shai Hulud plays an almost unreproducable brand of metal influenced hardcore that has been blowing minds for years. The way this music is crafted fights every norm that one expects when listening to metalcore, or any other band of metallic hardcore. It's easy to pick up on some familiar time signatures and riff structures, but as soon as you feel like you know where it's going, you absolutely don't. That, coupled with Shai Hulud's unrelentingly angry, perfectly structured lyrics have made them into a group that has outlasted all trends within this scene, and something that few bands can touch.

'Misanthropy Pure' is their first proper released since 2003's 'That Within Blood Ill-Tempered', in which time a lot has happened to the band, their revolving door lineup situation claimed their long time vocalist Geert ven der Velde which was almost to the death blow to the band, but they were able to recover and write one of the best metal/hardcore records of 2008.

'Misanthropy Pure' is a constantly evolving, powerful beast. From the first notes of 'Venomspreader', the album's opener, to the the gradual fading out of 'Cold Lord Quietus', the album is unrelentingly fierce, brilliantly progressive and heavy all at the same time. New vocalist, Matt Mazzali, fits Shai Hulud perfectly I think, apart from Chad Gilbert, original vocalist of the group, I think he is probably the best vocalist for the group. The guitar riffs are wide ranging and varied, the drums are as intricate and detailed as ever and they really have come together to produce the best Shai Hulud album that could have been produced I think. The title track on the album is fantastic, 'Chorus of the Dissimilar', 'To Bear The Brunt of Many Blades' and the re-recording of Shai Hulud classic 'Set Your Body Ablaze' are my favorites on the album, but again, this album is fantastic, there isn't a bad track here.

The recording has been a hit or miss with many people. It is very high production, and I've heard arguments either way with it. I love it. I don't know if this is just because of the high production values, or if these have always been in Shai Hulud records, there are a bunch of subtle quick nuances that I can pick out on this record that going back into their catalog just aren't apparent. I think that with the range and dynamics that they have displayed with this record, the high production and clean recording fits very well.

Hands down, this is probably the best release in the metalcore genre this year, and in hardcore in general. It's brilliantly written in all aspects, and if you haven't checked it out, or if you've never listened to the band at all, check it out. This band is uncompromising of their vision, and this record is one of the best of this year.

Shai Hulud on MySpace
Metalblade Records