Shai Hulud

Few bands better embody the term metalcore than Broward County ex-pats Shai Hulud. Founded in the mid-'90s by hardcore guitarists and Uncle Sam's Records employees Matt Fox and Oliver Chapoy, propelled by the youthful exuberance of 14-year-old future New Found Glory guitarist "Little" Chad Gilbert on vocals, Shai Hulud's midtempo, Slayeresque riffage quickly elevated them to the top of the South Florida hardcore scene, along with Strongarm (with whom they shared a drummer, Steve Kleisath) and Morning Again. The band's unique contribution was Gilbert's version of the popular hardcore vocal style of the day — which was to scream as if someone had just stabbed you in the eye with a red-hot poker. Shai Hulud, Strongarm, and Morning Again all wound up with independent record deals. Shai Hulud inked with California hardcore label Revelation/Crisis for its debut EP, 1997's A Profound Hatred of Man. Those other two bands are long gone, but Matt Fox continues to tour the world with an ever-evolving lineup, once plucking a singer out of the audience from a mosh pit in Holland and keeping him for three years. The band's third LP, Misanthropy Pure, was released in May on Metal Blade, and the musical hate pushes the same adolescent buttons it did back during the Clinton administration. Although some may find Shai Hulud's lack of musical growth off-putting — get out of the pit, Grandpa — this ain't meant for you anyhow.