Shai High

Shai Hulud debuted with 1997’s Profound Hatred of Man, and judging by this year’s Misanthropy Pure, they haven’t exactly altered their lyrical approach. The group hasn’t 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 from the original roster (guitarist Matt Fox), 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.
Sat., Aug. 9, 7 p.m., 2008