Shai Hulud

Formed in 1995 in Pompano Beach, Florida, Shai Hulud became part of the American hardcore scene by blending metalcore, melodic hardcore and punk influences. Later based in Poughkeepsie, New York, the band is built around guitarist Matt Fox, the only constant member of a frequently revised lineup, which over time has included several vocalists such as Chad Gilbert, who later became associated with New Found Glory. Shai Hulud first drew attention with the EP A Profound Hatred of Man in 1997, the same year their debut album Hearts Once Nourished with Hope and Compassion was released, both notable for introspective lyrics and a taste for complex structures. That Within Blood Ill-Tempered (2003) asserted a denser, more technical approach, while Misanthropy Pure (2008) and Reach Beyond the Sun (2013) extended that style with interlaced riffs, brisk rhythms and shouted vocals bolstered by gang choruses. Regularly appearing on hardcore and metal circuits across North America and Europe, Shai Hulud have played numerous tours, released splits and carried out occasional collaborations with like-minded bands, developing over time an identity centered on themes of disillusionment, individual responsibility and the tension between ideals and social reality.