Shai Hulud guitarist (and mainstay) Matt Fox admits the title of his bands fourth effort is personal. Dubbed Misanthropy Pure, their Metal Blade debut is more a peek into his own personality quirks than a means of describing the bands confrontational blend of metal-influenced hardcore.
"I dont get along with people, shrugs the Poughkeepsie, New York transplant. "Being around me can be difficult. God forbid youre chewing too loud. I dont think Id like to be around me. That sucks because Im constantly disappointed in people when even I dont live up to my standards.
Perusing Shai Huluds roster, Foxs comments arent as tongue-in-cheek as you might think. Giving new meaning to the adage "revolving door, the bands current line-up of Fox, vocalist Matt Ian Mazzali, bassist Matthew Fletcher, drummer Andrew Gormley and guitarist Greg Thomas is a complete overhaul from their last effort, 2003s That Within Blood Ill-Tempered. Foxs "high standards were vital to realising the career-best Misanthropy Pure though. Work began on the 11 rousing anthems in 2006 but was hampered by line-up changes, rewriting and scrutinising every aspect of recording. Moderately progressive while still retaining the bands sterile guitars and resounding rhythms, it once again pushes the boundaries of the metalcore genre Shai Hulud is credited with spawning.
"Recording has always been a bit of struggle, Fox admits. "Maybe were not as prepared or proficient as wed hope. At the same time, when you watch a year and a half in the life of Metallica, you think, Oh my god, who the hell wants to go through that? On a much smaller level, this was our Black Album: going over and over, rewriting and restructuring. Im as happy as with anything weve released, but theres something to be said for writing, recording and getting the fuck out. I hope we can do that next time.
"I dont get along with people, shrugs the Poughkeepsie, New York transplant. "Being around me can be difficult. God forbid youre chewing too loud. I dont think Id like to be around me. That sucks because Im constantly disappointed in people when even I dont live up to my standards.
Perusing Shai Huluds roster, Foxs comments arent as tongue-in-cheek as you might think. Giving new meaning to the adage "revolving door, the bands current line-up of Fox, vocalist Matt Ian Mazzali, bassist Matthew Fletcher, drummer Andrew Gormley and guitarist Greg Thomas is a complete overhaul from their last effort, 2003s That Within Blood Ill-Tempered. Foxs "high standards were vital to realising the career-best Misanthropy Pure though. Work began on the 11 rousing anthems in 2006 but was hampered by line-up changes, rewriting and scrutinising every aspect of recording. Moderately progressive while still retaining the bands sterile guitars and resounding rhythms, it once again pushes the boundaries of the metalcore genre Shai Hulud is credited with spawning.
"Recording has always been a bit of struggle, Fox admits. "Maybe were not as prepared or proficient as wed hope. At the same time, when you watch a year and a half in the life of Metallica, you think, Oh my god, who the hell wants to go through that? On a much smaller level, this was our Black Album: going over and over, rewriting and restructuring. Im as happy as with anything weve released, but theres something to be said for writing, recording and getting the fuck out. I hope we can do that next time.
