You're here : Home

Shai Hulud: Mysanthropy Pure
Written by Adrian Cole   
Thursday, 12 June 2008

Click to see real size
Fuckin' aye. Long time since i've done a review but it's also been a long time since Shai Hulud has released an album. Yep, Mysanthropy Pure and it is one heavy ass c.d., from the opening of Venomspreader to the final Cold Lord Quietus, the c.d. is much more openly heavy and aggressive than previous attempts. You can attribute this to the new singer Matt Mazzali, the recording, or song writing. The vocals - I'm still not sure how I feel about this guy as a singer. Has a good shout/yell whatever you want to call it but that's about it, he sounds pissed but there's not much other emotion expressed through him, at least not as much as the previous singers. The recording - much more crisp than all the other c.d.'s, most evident on their remake of Set Your Body Ablaze (don't worry they didn't change it up too much)  the drum's sound great the guitar's are really thick and ballsy and the vocals are right where they should be, some say it's too produced however I think it's just about perfect, except for the fact that I can't hear the bass on all the songs...What the hell, turn up fletcher! But the guitars are a lot more bassy so that could also be it.. Songwriting - all of what you'd expect from a Hulud album and a little more, very melodic, a lot of time changes, brought in the faster traits of Zombie Apocalypse and even some slower songs.

My first impression of this, as with within blood ill tempered I was kind of overwhelmed, lot's of new things that none of the hulud fans are used to, and like "within" there's about 75 riffs/leads per song to absorb, and of course with Matt Fox they're pretty fucked up riffs. However once you give it a couple good spins it all makes sense.

First song is Venomspreader, clocking in at just 1:46 you could file this under the faster more ZAish category good song, good opener.. Up next is The Creation Ruin, one of my favorite things about Hulud is the complexity of this band, this song along with many other tracks on this c.d. are ridiculously dark moreso than anything they've ever done before, yet still manage to be uplifting. Then comes the title track, if you're a fan of hulud i'm sure you've already absorbed this and To Bear the Brunt, if not they're great songs and go here now.  http://www.myspace.com/profoundhatred  We Who Finish Last, is another great song but is followed by one of my favorites on the c.d. Chorus of the Dissimilar, slower song. Heavy as shit, great lyrics, I think the new singer shines most on this song. Anyway skipping the next few songs and going straight to the end... Cold Lord Quietus one of their longest songs, about 6 minutes not counting the short into, very heavy somewhat straightforward song. Did I mention it's great?

So all in all.. Do they deliver? Hell yeah they do. Does it satisfy? Never, but I guess it will tide everyone over for awhile. At first may be a little odd for the long time hulud fans but once you get used to the changes you'll see the light. Definately a big contender for Album of the year. The only complaint is Mazzali who has a great voice but I think could be even better with more diversity in his vocals. Also the musicianship has gone up a lot, much tighter rythmically, those picking hands are getting a workout on this one. Probably because of all the touring they've been doing NONE OF WHICH HAVE STOPPED BY LAS VEGAS. Anyway great album which I think will bring in a lot of new fans. Sorry Mr. Fox for downloading it but I'll be one of the first to buy it on the 27th, and everyone who reads this go out and buy it, this is one hard working, passionate, and honest band and they deserve the support.

Song Clips & Download Links

 
 
[ Back ]