History
Matt Fox (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 (a Florida based punk band) 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 of 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.
Chad Gilbert departed to found the pop punk 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. 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 of 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.
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-Tempered, released on May 20, 2003. 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. 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.
In early 2006, the band recorded a three song rough demo with Eric Dellon on lead vocals, Geert van der Velde on backup vocals, and Brian Go on drums. In March 2006, the band announced they were abandoning the moniker "The Warmth of Red Blood" and keeping the name Shai Hulud. In August of 2006, the band signed with Metal Blade Records and has already begun touring again, and new material exists that was released in their new album to be titled Misanthropy Pure with Matt Mazzali on vocals and Andrew Gormley on drums, released on May 27, 2008. 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. They are still currently without a permanent drummer. The position of second guitar was recently filled by Chad Kishick of Miami, Florida, who had toured with 24 Hours to Live, Dead Weight, All Hell Breaks Loose, and Know the Score.
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 Fox, Matthew Fletcher, Ronen Kaufman, and Greg Thomas.
Misanthropy Pure
Shai Hulud Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This will read as a plan to vindicate intolerance as surely as it is written
Understand
Contempt born of clear perception is a birthright to those who channel it toward progression
Preserve life through loathing
Awaken hope with hatred
This is a birthright and obligation
Spiteful and ill-tempered
I know the character well
A maelstrom of weakness and instability seething with viciousness
I choose not to accept this
Not into my life
There is no hope of reform
When pride is allied with hostility
All reason is denied
I return the denial
A glaring misconception of self-importance
I know the character well
Heedless fool
So arrogant with no understanding of consequence
I see this negligence
I choose not to accept it
Not into my life
Absence of introspection neglects the outer world
Let not the excess of lust and comfort mislead you
This world is not yours
Feel the quarrel in just his presense
You know the character all too well
A destructive man at war with his cowardice
I detest belligerence, and I choose not to accept this
Not into my life
Keep separate these hatreds
Undefined animosity is a device of the spineless
The means of a fool
Focused misanthropy is opposition to these dark hearts
Downpours of disapproval no words could begin to express
I believe in man
Man will maintain it's hostility
Have this faith
To distort the truth to serve itself
To oppose understanding
Conflict in the chest
To be concerned for the needs of such heartless men
The song "Misanthropy Pure" by Shai Hulud is about the inability to accept certain attitudes and behaviors that are perceived as hateful, intolerant, and destructive. The lyrics suggest that while it is natural to feel contempt towards such individuals, it is important not to let that feeling consume oneself completely. Instead, the song advocates for channeling that hatred into a positive force for change and progress.
The lyrics warn against the danger of pride and hostility, which can blind one to reason and deny the possibility of reform. The song also addresses the issue of negligence and self-importance, which can lead to a lack of introspection and disregard for the world around us. Despite all this, the song encourages us to maintain our faith in humanity and to keep striving for a more compassionate and understanding world.
Overall, "Misanthropy Pure" is a powerful call to action that urges us to resist the destructive tendencies that lie within ourselves and within those around us. It is a reminder that our attitudes and behaviors have a profound impact on the world we live in.
Line by Line Meaning
Understood
This will read as a plan to vindicate intolerance as surely as it is written
Understand
Contempt born of clear perception is a birthright to those who channel it toward progression
Preserve life through loathing
Awaken hope with hatred; Wrest insight from outrage; This is a birthright and obligation
Spiteful and ill-tempered
I know the character well; A maelstrom of weakness and instability seething with viciousness; I choose not to accept this; Not into my life; There is no hope of reform; When pride is allied with hostility; All reason is denied; I return the denial
A glaring misconception of self-importance
I know the character well; Heedless fool; So arrogant with no understanding of consequence; I see this negligence; I choose not to accept it; Not into my life; Absence of introspection neglects the outer world; Let not the excess of lust and comfort mislead you; This world is not yours
Feel the quarrel in just his presense
You know the character all too well; A destructive man at war with his cowardice; I detest belligerence, and I choose not to accept this; Not into my life; Keep separate these hatreds; Undefined animosity is a device of the spineless; The means of a fool; Focused misanthropy is opposition to these dark hearts; Downpours of disapproval no words could begin to express
I believe in man
Man will maintain it's hostility; Have this faith
To distort the truth to serve itself
To oppose understanding
Conflict in the chest
To be concerned for the needs of such heartless men
Contributed by Levi A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
preemz
@BirdOfHermes83 To further add, I believe that the band is saying that it is not enough to hate the world and its erroneous ways, but that one must learn from that and channel that hatred into something progressive, otherwise we are no better than those we hate.
"Preserve life through loathing.
Awaken hope within hatred.
Wrest insight from outrage."
Use your emotion to better yourself and the world.
They are also saying that there is a conflict between outright hatred for man and a desire to see man improve himself. First, they comment on man and his flaws:
"To distort the truth, to serve itself,
to oppose understanding:
I believe in man.
Man will maintain its hostility.
Have this faith."
But, even after all that, we as humans are still drawn to help our fellow man:
"Conflict in the chest,
To be concerned for the needs of such heartless men."
This song is so powerful to me and really matches my outlook on life to great music.
Time
To further add, I believe that the band is saying that it is not enough to hate the world and its erroneous ways, but that one must learn from that and channel that hatred into something progressive, otherwise we are no better than those we hate.
"Preserve life through loathing.
Awaken hope within hatred.
Wrest insight from outrage."
Use your emotion to better yourself and the world.
They are also saying that there is a conflict between outright hatred for man and a desire to see man improve himself. First, they comment on man and his flaws:
"To distort the truth, to serve itself,
to oppose understanding:
I believe in man.
Man will maintain its hostility.
Have this faith."
But, even after all that, we as humans are still drawn to help our fellow man:
"Conflict in the chest,
To be concerned for the needs of such heartless men."
This song is so powerful to me and really matches my outlook on life to great music.
Nathan Harris
Understood,
This will read as a plea to vindicate intolerance as surely as it is written.
Understand,
Contempt born of clear perception is a birthright to those who channel it toward progression.
Preserve life without loathing.
Awaken hope within hatred.
Wrest insight from outrage.
This is a birthright and obligation.
Spiteful and ill-tempered, I know the character well...
A maelstrom of weakness, and instability seething with viciousness.
I choose not to accept this;
Not into my life.
There is no hope of reform.
When pride is allied with hostility, all reason is denied.
I return the denial.
A glaring misconception of self-importance, I know the character well...
Heedless fool, so arrogant with no understanding of consequence.
I see this negligence.
I choose not to accept it;
Not into my life.
Absence of introspection neglects the outer world.
Let not the excess of lusts and comfort mislead you.
This world is not yours.
Feel the quarrel in just his presence, you know the character all too well...
A destructive man at war with his cowardice.
I detest belligerence, and choose not to accept it;
Not into my life.
Keep separate these hatreds.
Undefined animosity is a device of the spineless, the means of a fool.
Focused misanthropy is opposition for these dark hearts-
Downpours of disapproval no words could begin to express.
To distort the truth to serve itself,
To oppose understanding,
I believe in man.
Man will maintain its hostility.
Have this faith.
Conflict in the chest.
To be concerned for the needs of such heartless men.
Velanestar
Wiki says Genres Metalcore, Post-hardcore, hardcore punk, progressive metal
Why?
because this is the list of members
Band members[edit]
Current line-up[edit]
Justin Kraus - vocals (2013-present)
Matt Fox – guitar (1995–present)
Thomas Colello - guitar (2012-present)
"Mad" Matt Fletcher – bass (2002-present), guitar(1998-2002), vocals (1999)
Dave Joyal - drums (2013-present)
Touring Members[edit]
Eric English - bass (2013-present)
Former members[edit]
Damien Moyal – vocals (1995)
Chad Gilbert – vocals (1995–1998, 2004 touring, 2012 touring)
Geert van der Velde – vocals (1999–2003, 2003-2005 touring, 2009 touring)
Eric Dellon – vocals, drums (2005–2006)
Matt Ian Mazzali – vocals (2006–2009)
Mike Moynihan – vocals (2009–2012)
Oliver Chapoy – guitar (1996–1998)
Matt Canning – guitar (2003–2006)
Dane Metcalfe - guitar (2003)
Ryan Burns – guitar (2005–2006 touring)
Gregory Thomas - guitar (2007-2008)
Chaz Kishick – guitar (2008–2009)
Tim O'Leary – guitar (2009–2010)
Tony DelMonego – guitar (2011–2012 touring)
Dave Silber – bass (1995–1999)
Jared Allen – bass (2000–2002)
Steve Muczynski – bass (2009–2010, 2013 touring)
Justin Shepp - bass (2012-2013 touring)
Nathan Gluck - bass (2013 touring)
Rick Maldonado - bass (2013 touring)
Jason Lederman – drums (1995)
Steve Kleisath – drums (1996–1999)
Andrew Gormley – drums (1999–2000, 2004–2005, 2006–2008)
Spikey Goldbach – drums (2000-2001)
Tony Tintari – drums (2002–2004)
Brian Go - drums (2006 touring)
Shane Shook - drums (2008 touring)
Mike Justain - drums (2009 touring)
Aaron Goodrich – drums (2009-2010 touring)
Matt Covey – drums (2009–2013)
....can't have that many members in life and stay ONE genera.
Mauricio Correa Meza
This band is way too good to be opener for newer bands with less time on music around than them
Mr Rooster
@Philippe Joseph Crazy, I discovered this band in 1997
Philippe Joseph
its sad that i discover them in 2022, whe i like every band they inflenced
none of your business
They suck ass live cause it's a revolving door of members. Last good line up they had was this one.
Nachtzug Official
Still true today. A friend of mine went to a show where Shai Hulud were "opening". She didn't know them and said she didn't care for opening acts. So sad man. I know this music isn't for everyone. But come on...
James Staggenborg
ReprogrammedToHate Hell I'd seen a tour earlier this year that The Queers opened for The Ataris which I thought was a slap in the face.
Neville Allen II
I'm a Death Metal/Hip Hop enthusiast and I normally hate punk/metalcore bands (not to label this one) but Shai Hulud has really caught me off guard. I looked them up because I heard this song on Saints Row: The Third (106.66 The Blood) and was blown away. I love the progessive elements and attitude that these guys bring to the table as well as having substance in thier music. I'm a new fan, but will definately be buying material from these guys in the future.
scott_
This song and album are more relevant now than ever. This is pure strength, wisdom and inspiration. Awaken hope within hatred.
[KSH] Productions
@BirdOfHermes83 Not really. This song retains a sense of contempt towards man and life, but he at the same time recognizes that merely passively hating, rejecting, and being misanthropic towards everything without constructing upon it, is worthless and cowardice. Instead, he finds hope within hopelessness "hope within hatred," as the song goes. This song actively detests those with a crass misanthropy towards humanity, hence the lyrics "a destructive man at war with his cowardice," a person viewing humanity (ultimately himself) as purely destructive being a symptom of his cowardice towards working towards becoming something better. This is epitomized with the lyric "Undefined animosity is the device of the spineless." "I believe in man."
BirdOfHermes83
@preemz slipknot said once " people = shit! "
That's kind of the same.