View source for Shai Hulud

{{Short description|American metalcore band}}
{{for|the creature from Dune|Sandworm (Dune)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2014}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name             = Shai Hulud
| image            = {{multiple image
| total_width = 300
| image_style = border:none
| border = none
| align = center
| image1 = Mattfox shaihulud.jpg
| image2 = Mattflecher shaihulud.jpg
}}
| caption          = Matt Fox (left) and Matt Fletcher performing in 2008
| alias            = The Warmth of Red Blood, {{nowrap|The Worm}}, Harkonnen
| origin           = [[Pompano Beach, Florida]], U.S.
| genre            = [[Metalcore]], [[hardcore punk]], {{nowrap|[[melodic hardcore]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=DeNitto |first1=Jay |title=Shai Hulud's Name: A Case of Mistaken Identity |date=October 15, 2009 |url=https://noisecreep.com/shai-huluds-name-a-case-of-mistaken-identity/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Andrew |first1=J |title=Album Review: SHAI HULUD – Reach Beyond the Sun |date=February 19, 2013 |url=https://metalinjection.net/reviews/album-review-shai-hulud-reach-beyond-the-sun |access-date=28 August 2024}}</ref>}}
| discography      = [[Shai Hulud discography]]
| years_active     = 1995–present
| label            = [[Metal Blade Records|Metal Blade]], [[Revelation Records|Revelation]], Crisis, [[Trustkill Records|Trustkill]], Ides of March [[Undecided Records|Undecided]], [[Century Media Records|Century Media]], [[Bridge 9 Records|Bridge 9]], At Dawn We Wage War
| website          = {{URL|hulud.com}}
| current_members  = [[Matt Fox (musician)|Matt Fox]]<br />"Mad" Matt Fletcher<br />Geert van der Velde<br />Eric Dellon<br />Moe Watson<br />Mark Gumbrecht
| past_members     = [[#Band members|See band members section]]
}}
'''Shai Hulud''' is an American [[metalcore]] band formed in [[Pompano Beach, Florida]], in 1995, and later based in [[Poughkeepsie, New York]]. The band is named after the giant [[Sandworm (Dune)|sandworm]]s in [[Frank Herbert]]'s novel ''[[Dune (novel)|Dune]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title= Interview with Matt Fox, Chad Gilbert and Dave Silber of Shai Hulud, Obese Zine 1998|publisher= Obese Zine|url= http://www.ruleeverymoment.com/media/interviews/interview.php?id=17|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090203130800/http://www.ruleeverymoment.com/media/interviews/interview.php?id=17|url-status= usurped|archive-date= February 3, 2009|year=1998|access-date= March 21, 2008}}</ref>

The two mainstay members of Shai Hulud are considered to be [[Matt Fox (musician)|Matt Fox]] (guitar), who writes most of the band's musical and lyrical output, and Matt Fletcher (originally guitar, now bass), who assists in writing.

==History==
===Early years (1995–1997)===
[[Matthew Fox (musician)|Matt Fox]] (guitar) and Dave Silber (bass) formed Shai Hulud in 1995 with [[Damien Moyal]] (formerly of [[Culture (American band)|Culture]]) 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 (band)|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 (band)|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".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hulud.com/info.html |date=February 6, 2002 |access-date=November 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020630230638/http://www.hulud.com/info.html |archive-date=June 30, 2002 |title=Shai Hulud }}</ref> Shai Hulud's first show was a Halloween party, played on October 31, 1995, at [[Discount (band)|Discount]]'s warehouse for under 50 people.<ref name="BirdofIllOmenBiography" />

Moyal quit the band shortly after the band signed to Revelation Records in early 1996 and went on to play in [[Morning Again]], [[Bird of Ill Omen]] and [[As Friends Rust]].<ref name="BirdofIllOmenBiography">{{Cite web|last=Julien|first=Alexandre|author-link=Alexander Julien|date=January 8, 2008|title=Bird of Ill Omen & Dead {{as written|M|ens' [sic]}} Theory Official Biography|url=http://www.abridgedpause.com/birdofillomenanddeadmenstheory|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200714100601/http://www.abridgedpause.com/birdofillomenanddeadmenstheory|archive-date=July 14, 2020|access-date=September 20, 2020|website=Abridged Pause Blog|language=en-US}}</ref> With Moyal's exit, Shai Hulud recruited fourteen year old [[Chad Gilbert]] on vocals; Gilbert had been recommended by Moyal at the time of his departure.<ref name="BirdofIllOmenBiography" /> 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 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.

===''Hearts Once Nourished with Hope and Compassion'' (1997–2003)===
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 (band)|Strongarm]], [[Bloodlet (band)|Bloodlet]], [[Shadows Fall]], [[Zao (US band)|Zao]], [[Overcast (band)|Overcast]], [[Cannibal Corpse]] and [[Disembodied (band)|Disembodied]]. A limited edition vinyl of the album was released in 2006, and featured a cover painting by [[Dan Henk]].

In May 1998 three tracks were recorded for a split with New York's [[Indecision (band)|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 members' interest began to wane. In January 1999, [[Oliver Chapoy]] decided to leave the band. He was replaced by Matthew Fletcher who later moved to Florida to join the band in February 1999. Matt Fletcher had seen Shai Hulud for the first time in [[Seattle]], Washington in 1997 with [[Strongarm (band)|Strongarm]] and NineIronSpitFire. [[Andrew Gormley]] (future Shai Hulud drummer) was also at the show selling [[Kiss It Goodbye]] demos. [[Poison the Well (band)|Poison the Well]] drummer [[Chris Hornbrook]] filled in for a single show in February 1999 before Gormley joined. In June 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 in as drummer on a European tour. Matt Fletcher filled in 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 joined 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 [[Master of Puppets|Damage Inc.]] Spikey Goldbach would fill in 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 Vol. 1'' split for [[Undecided Records]]. In April 2000, the band relocated to [[Poughkeepsie, NY]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=April 19, 2000|title=Shai Hulud Has Officially Relocated From South Florida to Poughkeepsie, NY|url=http://www.hulud.com:80/news.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001213012300/http://www.hulud.com:80/news.html|archive-date=December 13, 2000|access-date=October 9, 2020|website=Shai Hulud}}</ref> Chris Cardinal, who used to play for Inner Dam, joined the band to fill in on drums, but he later decided to leave the band.

===''That Within Blood Ill-Tempered'' (2003–2006)===

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. The album peaked at number 39 on the Billboard Top Independent albums chart, without any video or radio airplay.<ref>[{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=shai hulud|chart=all}} Billboard.com – Artist Chart History – Shai Hulud]</ref> 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'', Shai Hulud picked up guitarist Matt Canning and embarked on a number of international tours. After some time, 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 (band)|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. Guitarist Matt Canning left the band to start The Twilight Collective. Andrew Gormley rejoined on drums for some time and the band played a series of shows with Chad Gilbert on vocals before taking a hiatus to regroup.
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. They started requesting that anyone who considered themselves up for the challenge of taking over vocal duties record a demo of themselves performing the track "Whether to Cry or Destroy" (quite similar to what [[Dillinger Escape Plan|The Dillinger Escape Plan]] did when auditioning new vocalists). In 2005, the band co-released (via their own record label At Dawn We Wage War Records and Revelation Records) a retrospective release entitled, ''[[A Comprehensive Retrospective: or How We Learned to Stop Worrying and Release Bad and Useless Recordings]]'' containing rare demos and live tracks!

===''Misanthropy Pure'' (2006–2009)===
In early 2006, the band recorded a [[Shai Hulud demos|three song rough demo]] with Eric Dellon on lead vocals and drums, featuring former vocalist Geert van der Velde on backup vocals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=19055 |title=Metal News – Shai Hulud Address Tour, New Song and Singer ( Metal Underground . com ) |website=Metalunderground.com |access-date=November 19, 2011}}</ref> In March 2006, the band announced they were abandoning the moniker "The Warmth of Red Blood" and keeping the name Shai Hulud. In August 2006, the band signed with [[Metal Blade Records]]. The band recorded their third full-length album ''[[Misanthropy Pure]]'' at Silver Bullet Media in Connecticut with Matt Mazzali on vocals and [[Andrew Gormley]] on drums; the album features additional vocalists such as J Costa of [[Thy Will Be Done]]. Released on May 27, 2008, the album peaked at number 35 on the Billboard Top Independent albums chart and 15 on the Top Heatseekers chart. 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]]. The position of second guitar was filled by Chad Kishick of Miami, Florida, until 2009 when he left the band. Geert Van der Velde temporally returned as vocalist for the band for the 2009 Japan tour,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alliance-trax.com/newinfo/2009/01/geert_van_der_velde_on_vocals_1.html |title=Geert van der Velde on vocals for SHAI HULUD Japan Tour 2009 (Alliance-trax news) |website=Alliance-trax.com |date=January 8, 2009 |access-date=November 19, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.alliance-trax.shop-pro.jp/?eid=505358 |title=AT Shop! pro ダイアリー &#124; Geert van der Velde on vocals for SHAI HULUD Japan Tour 2009 |website=Blog.alliance-trax.shop-pro.jp |date=February 22, 1999 |access-date=November 19, 2011}}</ref> with [[Parkway Drive]] and [[Crystal Lake (band)|Crystal Lake]].

The band released a split EP with [[New Found Glory]] titled ''[[Not Without a Heart Once Nourished by Sticks and Stones Within Blood Ill-Tempered Misanthropy Pure Gold Can Stay]]'' being sold only at the "Not Without a Fight" tour. There are two colors limited to a total of only 500 copies and only for sale from either Shai Hulud or New Found Glory at these shows.

===''Reach Beyond the Sun'' (2011–present)===
On January 26, 2011, the band announced that they would embark on a 17-day US tour, beginning on the February 2, 2011 to the 19.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sputnikmusic.com/news.php?newsid=16865 |title=Shai Hulud US tour dates |website=Sputnikmusic.com |access-date=November 19, 2011}}</ref> Shai Hulud is currently in the studio recording a new album. Which is being produced by former vocalist and guitarist of New Found Glory: Chad Gilbert. More recently, August 9, 2012, the band has been announced as an artist touring Australia as part of the annual Soundwave Festival. Details on who will be performing vocals for this tour have yet to be released. They will complete the Australian tour with the festival in early to mid March 2013. The band has also expressed interest in completing as many Sidewaves as possible, shows which would see them play in smaller and more personal venues than the festival itself. Along with this comes a statement via Facebook suggesting that they will be returning to Australia once again, after this festival has been completed, perhaps for the launch tour of their forthcoming album. On September 13, 2012, Matt Fox announced that not only did former member Chad Gilbert produce their forthcoming album, he also supplied the vocals for it as well.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://chorus.fm/|title=Chorus.fm|website=Chorus.fm|access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref> On November 19, the band announced the new album's name, ''[[Reach Beyond the Sun]]'' and a 30-second teaser on YouTube.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2012/11/19/this-february-shai-hulud-will-reach-beyond-the-sun/|title=This February, Shai Hulud Will Reach Beyond the Sun|date=November 19, 2012|website=MetalSucks.net|access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref> In December 2015, the band released an EP entitled ''Just Can't Hate Enough''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theprp.com/2015/12/08/news/shai-hulud-releasse-new-ep-just-cant-hate-enough/|title=Shai Hulud Release New EP "Just Can't Hate Enough x 2 - Plus Other Hate Songs", Stream Posted {{!}} Theprp.com – Metal And Hardcore News Plus Reviews And More|date=2015-12-08|website=Theprp.com|access-date=2016-05-30}}</ref>

==Artistry==
===Genre===
The band is known within the [[Hardcore punk|hardcore]] scene for their affecting, well-written lyrics, whose themes range from [[misanthropy]], hatred, human [[psychology]] to hope and [[compassion]], and their often complex compositions, utilizing elements of hardcore punk, [[heavy metal music|heavy]], [[thrash metal|thrash]] and [[progressive metal]].

Shai Hulud was one of the first hardcore/metal crossover band that used the term "[[metalcore]]" to describe their music (as shown in the back cover of ''[[That Within Blood Ill-Tempered]]'') and by some fans the band is still considered to be "a true metalcore band",<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.globaldomination.se/reviews/shai-hulud-misanthropy-pure|title=Global Domination &#124; Reviews &#124; Shai Hulud: Misanthropy pure|date=August 2, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080802195603/http://www.globaldomination.se/reviews/shai-hulud-misanthropy-pure|access-date=September 24, 2020|archive-date=August 2, 2008}}</ref> while others, including band members have discarded the term due to their current meaning, e.g., the [[melodic metalcore|melodic death metal influenced metalcore]], when this genre became a commercial success in early 2000s as "metalcore" and it differed from what the band was playing at that time.

{{Blockquote|Taking the term literally, and breaking it apart, yes, we definitely are a true example of 'metalcore,' a hybrid of hardcore and metal. When we used to joke with the term, it was just a clever (or not so clever) way of describing a metallic hardcore, metal-influenced hardcore, or hardcore-influenced metal band. My friends and I would listen to [[Deadguy]] and say 'this isn't HARDcore, it's METALcore,' which made sense based on the music they played, combined with the attitude and ethic of the band. Same thing used to be said for [[Earth Crisis]], [[Integrity (band)|Integrity]], [[Coalesce (band)|Coalesce]], [[Unbroken (band)|Unbroken]], and a lot of the 90s bands that incorporated heavier riffs and more progressive structuring and ideas into their songs. When the term 'metalcore' was thrown around back then it was very tongue-in-cheek; this, obviously, long before it became a legitimate genre, {{sic|it's}} current legitimacy being highly debatable, of course.

'Metalcore,' the actual genre in 2008 doesn't usually seem like a hybrid of hardcore and metal as much as it just seems like metal, only written by people who imitate it rather than love it, typically resulting in trite and shallow music. If this accurately describes 'metalcore' then we clearly do not embrace the term. Conversely, if Earth Crisis and Deadguy define 'metalcore,' count us in.|[[Matthew Fox (musician)|Matt Fox]]<ref>{{cite web| title= Exclusive interview with shai hulud guitarist matt fox| website=Metalsucks.net| url= http://www.metalsucks.net/?p=5504| year=2008 | access-date= June 4, 2008}}</ref>}}

In a more recent interview Fox stated that "progressive hardcore" was the best way to describe the band, rather that stick to a one specific genre.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.noecho.net/features/shai-hulud-album-by-album|title=Shai Hulud Guitarist Matt Fox Looks Back at Each of Their Studio Albums (EXCLUSIVE)|website=No Echo|first=Carlos|last=Ramirez|date=September 11, 2020|access-date=October 14, 2021}}</ref>

===Influences and legacy===
They cite their influences as [[Raw Power (band)|Raw Power]], [[Burn (U.S. band)|Burn]], [[Chain of Strength]], [[Deadguy]], [[JFA (band)|J.F.A.]], [[Metallica]], [[NOFX]], S.F.A., [[Strongarm (band)|Strongarm]], [[Testament (band)|Testament]], [[Turning Point (U.S. band)|Turning Point]], [[Embodiment 12:14]], [[Uniform Choice]] and [[Voivod (band)|Voivod]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.myspace.com/profoundhatred |title=Shai Hulud MySpace |website=Myspace.com |access-date=November 19, 2011}}</ref>

Shai Hulud has become a very influential band in the underground [[hardcore punk|hardcore]], [[metalcore]] and [[post-hardcore]] scene.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.loudside.com/music/artists/Shai_Hulud/ |title=Music – Artists – Shai Hulud |website=Loudside.com |access-date=November 19, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sputnikmusic.com/band/Shai+Hulud |title=Shai Hulud reviews, music, news |website=Sputnikmusic.com |access-date=November 19, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.revelationrecords.com/releases.php?release_id=68|title=Revelation Records|website=Revelationrecords.com|access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref> Bands like [[7 Angels 7 Plagues]], [[Alove for Enemies]],<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20050407224527/http://www.gsrmusic.com/distro/catalogue/a.htm Alove for Enemies –  Resistance]}} "Heavily influenced by the likes of bands such as Few Left Standing, Darkest Hour and Shai Hulud"</ref> As Hope Dies, [[As I Lay Dying (band)|As I Lay Dying]],<ref name="Shai Hulud">{{cite web|url=http://www.metalblade.com/english/artists/shaihulud/bio.php |title=Shai Hulud |website=Metalblade.com |date=May 27, 2008 |access-date=November 19, 2011}}</ref> [[Behind Crimson Eyes]], [[It Prevails]], Many Men Have Tried, [[Misery Signals]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deadtide.com/interviews/page.php?id=76 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060217090846/http://deadtide.com/interviews/page.php?id=76 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=February 17, 2006 |title=Interview with Misery Signals |website=Deadtide.com |access-date=November 19, 2011}}</ref> [[Mychildren Mybride]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thetrc.net/main/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=76&Itemid=50 |title=My Children My Bride Interview - Through It All @theTRC.net |website=www.thetrc.net |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051111064314/http://www.thetrc.net/main/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=76&Itemid=50 |archive-date=11 November 2005 |url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Poison the Well (band)|Poison the Well]], [[See You Next Tuesday (band)|See You Next Tuesday]], [[Silverstein (band)|Silverstein]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.silversteinmusic.com/db/faq.html |title=Silverstein |website=Silversteinmusic.com |date=January 31, 2006 |access-date=November 19, 2011}}</ref> [[the Funeral Pyre]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalinjection.net/spout-off/getting-to-know-the-funeral-pyre |title=The Funeral Pyre |publisher=Metal Injection |date=March 14, 2007 |access-date=November 19, 2011}}</ref> [[The Banner (band)|the Banner]] and<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/shaihulud|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203103437/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/shaihulud|url-status=dead|title=Shai Hulud : Rolling Stone|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|archive-date=February 3, 2009|access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref> [[Unearth]],<ref name="Shai Hulud"/> have cited Shai Hulud as an influence.

===Religion and beliefs===
Shai Hulud is neither a [[Christianity|Christian]] band nor [[straight edge]], as stated by the band:

{{Blockquote|You guys are neither a Straight Edge or a Christian band, but you often get labeled as such. Why?
<br />
Well you've got [[Chad Gilbert|Chad]] who's Christian; you have [[Steve Kleisath|Steve]] who was in [[Strongarm (band)|Strongarm]] who's Christian. You also have Chad who's [[Straight edge|SXE]]. Then there's me who doesn't smoke, drink or do drugs. So I guess you could call me SXE, but I don't usually say anything. It's just something I've always been. That's mainly the reason, but you have 3 members who drink, 1 that smokes, 2 who believe in God, 3 that don't. So if you want to call us Christian or SXE, fine. We're not.|[[Matt Fox (musician)|Matt Fox]]<ref>
{{cite web
| title= Interview with Matt Fox, Chad Gilbert and Dave Silber of Shai Hulud, Obese Zine 1998
| publisher= Obese Zine
| url= http://www.ruleeverymoment.com/media/interviews/interview.php?id=17
| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090203130800/http://www.ruleeverymoment.com/media/interviews/interview.php?id=17
| url-status= usurped
| archive-date= February 3, 2009
|year=1998
| access-date= March 21, 2008}}</ref>}}

==Side projects==
===Zombie Apocalypse===
Shai Hulud started a [[crossover thrash ]]/[[metalcore]] side project called Zombie Apocalypse (formerly called Boddicker). It features [[Matthew Fox (musician)|Matt Fox]], Matthew Fletcher, Ronen Kaufman (vocals for try.fail.try; vocals for The Hostage), Eric Dellon and Greg Thomas.

In 1998, Shai Hulud members Matt Fox and Chad Gilbert created a zombie-themed band project, called '''Boddicker'''.<ref>Shai Hulud FAQ - 2003</ref> They recruited ex-[[Poison the Well (band)|Poison the Well]] guitarist Russel Saunders. Boddicker recorded a two-song demo in 1998 that was never released. The band released their second album ''This Is a Spark of Life'' in 2003 and ''Tales Told by Dead Men'' in 2005, [[split album|split EP]] with [[Send More Paramedics]].

Their music is characterized by very short, [[thrashcore]]-like, fast songs thematically concerned with [[zombie]]s and the [[apocalypse]], as the band name would imply. Their [[lyrics]] have a [[politics|political]] undercurrent that uses horrific imagery as a metaphor to touch on various political, personal, and social issues. They have released two albums: ''This Is a Spark of Life'', on Indecision Records and featuring artwork by [[Dan Henk]], and a split with [[Leeds]], [[United Kingdom|UK]]-based, and fellow zombie enthusiasts, [[Send More Paramedics]], called ''Tales Told by Dead Men'', released in [[North America]] on Hell Bent Records and in Europe on [[In at the Deep End Records]]. They also contributed a cover of "[[Welcome to the Jungle]]" to a [[Guns N' Roses]] tribute album released by Reignition Records.

In an interview with Lambgoat <ref name="Lambgoat Interview with Matt Fox">[http://www.lambgoat.com/features/interviews/shai_hulud.aspx Lambgoat Interview with Matt Fox]</ref> Matt Fox revealed that the band planned to release an album, and some songs have been already written and a title decided. However, due to scheduling conflicts he was uncertain when the record would be completed. In 2019, they released ''Life Without Pain Is a Fucking Fantasy''.

===The Fremen Warriors===
{{unreferenced section|date=August 2020}}
The [[Fremen]] Warriors (another reference to [[Dune (novel)|Dune]]) are a group who provide the backing vocals on all of Shai Hulud's releases. Their names are not listed in any of the liner notes, but on the song "Faithless Is He Who Says Farewell When The Road Darkens," they consisted of [[Aaron Bedard]], Nick Brunson, Nicole Prizio, Kelly Reaves, and [[Paul Romanko]].<ref name="BandDiscog">{{Cite web |title=Shai Hulud discography and trivia – Fremen Warriors backing vocals |url=https://shaihulud.bandcamp.com/track/faithless-is-he-who-says-farewell-when-the-road-darkens |access-date=30 July 2025 |publisher=Bandcamp / Official Track Listing}}</ref>

==Band members==
{{unreferenced section|date=August 2020}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-4}}
;Current members
*[[Matthew Fox (musician)|Matt Fox]] – guitar, backing vocals <small>(1995–present)</small>
*"Mad" Matt Fletcher – bass <small>(2002–present; studio only 2013–present)</small>, guitar <small>(1999–2002)</small>, lead vocals <small>(1999)</small>
*Moe Watson – drums <small>(2015–present)</small>
*Mark Gumbrecht – guitar <small>(2013–2015, 2019–present)</small>
*Geert van der Velde – lead vocals <small>(1999–2003, 2003–2005, 2024-present; touring 2009)</small>

;Current touring musicians
*Eric Dellon – bass, backing vocals <small>(2020–present)</small>, lead vocals, drums <small>(2005–2006; official member)</small>

{{col-4}}
;Former members
*[[Damien Moyal]] – lead vocals <small>(1995–1996)</small>
*Dave Silber – bass <small>(1995–1999)</small>
*Jason Lederman – drums <small>(1995)</small>
*[[Oliver Chapoy]] – guitar <small>(1996–1998)</small>
*[[Chad Gilbert]] – lead vocals <small>(1996–1998, 2004; touring, 2012–2013)</small>
*[[Steve Kleisath]] – drums <small>(1996–1999)</small>
*[[Chris Hornbrook]] – drums <small>(1999)</small>
*[[Andrew Gormley]] – drums <small>(1999–2000, 2004–2005, 2006–2008)</small>
*Spikey Goldbach – drums <small>(2000–2001)</small>
*Jared Allen – bass <small>(2000–2002)</small>
*Chris Cardinal – drums <small>(2002)</small>
*Tony Tintari – drums <small>(2002–2004, 2024)</small>
*Donny Ruckdeschel - drums <small>(2014–2015, 2020)</small>
*Derek Oster – Triangle <small>(2013)</small>
*Dane Metcalfe – guitar <small>(2003)</small>
*Matt Canning – guitar <small>(2003–2006)</small>
*Matt Mazzali – lead vocals <small>(2006–2009, 2015)</small>
*Gregory Thomas – guitar <small>(2007–2008)</small>
*Chaz Kishick – guitar <small>(2008–2009)</small>
*Tim O'Leary – guitar <small>(2009–2010)</small> 
*Matt Covey – drums <small>(2009–2013)</small>
*Mike Moynihan – lead vocals <small>(2009–2012)</small>
*Justin Kraus – lead vocals <small>(2013–2014)</small>
*Jay Pepito – lead vocals <small>(2020–2024)</small>
{{col-4}}

;Former touring musicians
*Steve Bucala – guitar <small>(2002)</small>
*Pierce Webster – lead vocals <small>(2003–2004)</small>
*Ryan Burns – guitar <small>(2005–2006)</small>
*Brian Go – drums <small>(2006)</small>
*Shane Shook – drums <small>(2008)</small>
*Mike Justian – drums <small>(2009)</small>
*Aaron Goodrich – drums <small>(2009–2010)</small>
*Steve Muczynski – bass <small>(2009–2010, 2013) (died 2023)</small>
*Tony DelMonego – guitar <small>(2011–2012)</small>
*Justin Shepp – bass <small>(2012–2013)</small>
*Thomas "Tam-Tam" Colello – guitar <small>(2012–2014)</small>
*Nathan Gluck – bass <small>(2013)</small>
*Rick Maldonado – bass <small>(2013)</small>
*Eric English – bass <small>(2013–2014)</small>
*Dave Joyal – drums <small>(2013–2015)</small>
*Sean Bearhope - bass <small> (2013) </small>
*[[Underoath|Billy Nottke]] – bass <small>(2014–2015)</small>
*Mike – bass <small>(2015)</small>
*Eddie Collins – guitar <small>(2015)</small>
*John Abernathy – guitar <small>(2015)</small>
*[[Diskreet|Dustin Albright]] – bass <small>(2015–2016)</small>
*Stefan Hojnacki – guitar <small>(2016)</small>
*Matty Carlock – lead vocals <small>(2016)</small>
*Joshua Lozano – guitar <small>(2016–2019)</small>
*[[Bishop (American band)|"Mean" Pete Kowalsky]] – lead vocals <small>(2016–2020)</small>
{{col-end}}

===Timeline===
{{#tag:timeline|
ImageSize = width:1000 height:auto barincrement:16
PlotArea = left:100 bottom:60 top:0 right:50
Alignbars = justify
DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy
Period = from:07/01/1995 till:{{#time:m/d/Y}}
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy

Colors =
 id:Vocals value:red legend:Lead_vocals
 id:BVocals value:pink legend:Backing_vocals
 id:Guitar value:green legend:Guitar
 id:Bass value:blue legend:Bass
 id:Drums value:orange legend:Drums
 id:Tour  value:yellow legend:Touring_musician
 id:Lines value:black legend:Album
 id:Lines1 value:gray(0.5) legend:EP
 id:bars value:gray(0.95)

Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom
BackgroundColors=bars:bars
ScaleMajor = increment:5 start:1996
ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1996

LineData =

 at:02/18/1997 color:Lines1 layer:back
 at:11/04/1997 color:black layer:back
 at:05/20/2003 color:black layer:back
 at:08/29/2006 color:black layer:back
 at:05/26/2008 color:black layer:back
 at:02/19/2013 color:black layer:back
 at:12/04/2015 color:Lines1 layer:back

BarData =

 bar:Moyal text:"Damien Moyal"
 bar:Gilbert text:"Chad Gilbert"
 bar:Geert text:"Geert v.d. Velde"
 bar:Dellon text:"Eric Dellon"
 bar:Mazzali text:"Matt Mazzali"
 bar:Moynihan text:"Mike Moynihan"
 bar:Kraus text:"Justin Kraus"
 bar:Marty text:"Marty Carlock"
 bar:Kowalsky text:"Pete Kowalsky"
 bar:Pepito text:"Jay Pepito"
 bar:Fox text:"Matt Fox"
 bar:Chapoy text:"Oliver Chapoy"
 bar:Fletcher text:"Matthew Fletcher"
 bar:Canning text:"Matt Canning"
 bar:Burns text:"Ryan Burns"
 bar:Thomas text:"Gregory Thomas"
 bar:Kishick text:"Chaz Kishick"
 bar:Oleary text:"Tim O'Leary"
 bar:Delmonego text:"Tony Delmonego"
 bar:Colello text:"Thomas Colello"
 bar:Gumbrecht text:"Mark Gumbrecht"
 bar:Collins text:"Eddie Collins"
 bar:Abernathy text:"John Abernathy"
 bar:Hojnacki text: "Stefan Hojnacki"
 bar:Lozano text: "Joshua Lozano"
 bar:Silber text:"Dave Silber"
 bar:Allen text:"Jared Allen"
 bar:Muczynski text:"Steve Muczynsky"
 bar:English text:"Eric English"
 bar:Nottke text:"Billy Nottke"
 bar:Mike text:"Mike"
 bar:Dustin text:"Dustin Albright"
 bar:Lederman text:"Jason Lederman"
 bar:Kleisath text:"Steve Kleisath"
 bar:Gormley text:"Andrew Gormley"
 bar:Goldbach text:"Spikey Goldbach"
 bar:Cardinal text:"Chris Cardinal"
 bar:Tintari text:"Tony Tintari"
 bar:Go text:"Brian Go"
 bar:Shook text:"Shane Shook"
 bar:Justain text:"Mike Justain"
 bar:Covey text:"Matt Covey"
 bar:Goodrich text:"Aaron Goodrich"
 bar:Joyal text:"Dave Joyal"
 bar:Watson text:"Moe Watson"

PlotData=

 width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,–4)
 bar:Moyal from:07/01/1995 till:04/01/1996 color:Vocals
 bar:Gilbert from:04/01/1996 till:11/01/1998 color:Vocals
 bar:Gilbert from:01/22/2004 till:01/25/2004 color:Vocals 
 bar:Gilbert from:01/22/2004 till:01/25/2004 color:Tour width:3
 bar:Gilbert from:06/01/2012 till:02/19/2013 color:Vocals 
 bar:Gilbert from:06/01/2012 till:02/19/2013 color:Tour width:3
 bar:Geert from:02/01/1999 till:09/01/2003 color:Vocals
 bar:Geert from:09/01/2003 till:01/18/2004 color:Vocals 
 bar:Geert from:09/01/2003 till:01/18/2004 color:Tour width:3
 bar:Geert from:02/07/2004 till:03/01/2005 color:Vocals
 bar:Geert from:02/07/2004 till:03/01/2005 color:Tour width:3
 bar:Geert from:01/01/2009 till:04/01/2009 color:Vocals 
 bar:Geert from:01/01/2009 till:04/01/2009 color:Tour width:3
 bar:Geert from:06/01/2024 till:end        color:Vocals
 bar:Dellon from:10/01/2005 till:04/01/2006 color:Vocals
 bar:Dellon from:10/01/2005 till:04/01/2006 color:Drums width:3
 bar:Mazzali from:04/01/2006 till:01/01/2009 color:Vocals
 bar:Moynihan from:06/01/2009 till:01/01/2012 color:Vocals
 bar:Kraus from:01/30/2013 till:07/01/2013 color:Vocals
 bar:Kraus from:01/30/2013 till:07/01/2013 color:Tour width:3
 bar:Kraus from:07/01/2013 till:06/01/2014 color:vocals
 bar:Mazzali from:05/26/2015 till:12/31/2015 color:vocals
 bar:Marty from:01/01/2016 till:05/01/2016 color:Vocals
 bar:Marty from:01/01/2016 till:05/01/2016 color:Tour width:3
 bar:Kowalsky from:05/01/2016 till:01/01/2020 color:Vocals
 bar:Kowalsky from:05/01/2016 till:01/01/2020 color:Tour width:3
 bar:Pepito from:01/01/2020 till:06/01/2024 color:Vocals
 bar:Fox from:07/01/1995 till:end color:Guitar
 bar:Fox from:07/01/1995 till:end color:BVocals width:3
 bar:Chapoy from:09/01/1995 till:06/01/1998 color:Guitar
 bar:Fletcher from:06/01/1998 till:06/01/2002 color:Guitar
 bar:Fletcher from:12/01/1998 till:02/01/1999 color:Vocals width:3
 bar:Fletcher from:06/01/2002 till:06/01/2013 color:Bass
 bar:Fletcher from:06/01/2013 till:end color:Bass width:3
 bar:Canning from:09/01/2003 till:05/01/2005 color:Guitar
 bar:Burns from:10/01/2005 till:06/01/2006 color:Guitar 
 bar:Burns from:10/01/2005 till:06/01/2006 color:Tour width:3
 bar:Thomas from:01/01/2007 till:05/31/2008 color:Guitar 
 bar:Kishick from:06/01/2008 till:04/01/2009 color:Guitar
 bar:Oleary from:06/01/2009 till:12/01/2010 color:Guitar
 bar:Delmonego from:02/01/2011 till:10/01/2012 color:Guitar
 bar:Delmonego from:02/01/2011 till:10/01/2012 color:Tour width:3
 bar:Colello from:12/01/2012 till:02/01/2013 color:Guitar
 bar:Colello from:12/01/2012 till:02/01/2013 color:Tour width:3
 bar:Gumbrecht from:02/01/2013 till:01/01/2015 color:Guitar
 bar:Gumbrecht from:02/01/2013 till:01/01/2015 color:Tour width:3
 bar:Gumbrecht from:01/01/2019 till:end color:Guitar
 bar:Collins from:01/01/2015 till:06/01/2015 color:Guitar
 bar:Collins from:01/01/2015 till:06/01/2015 color:Tour width:3
 bar:Abernathy from:06/01/2015 till:12/31/2015 color:Guitar
 bar:Abernathy from:06/01/2015 till:12/31/2015 color:Tour width:3
 bar:Hojnacki from:01/01/2016 till:05/01/2016 color:Guitar
 bar:Hojnacki from:01/01/2016 till:05/01/2016 color:Tour width:3
 bar:Lozano from:05/01/2016 till:01/01/2019 color:Guitar
 bar:Lozano from:05/01/2016 till:01/01/2019 color:Tour width:3
 bar:Silber from:07/01/1995 till:09/01/1995 color:Guitar
 bar:Silber from:09/01/1995 till:06/01/1999 color:Bass
 bar:Allen from:01/01/2000 till:06/01/2002 color:Bass
 bar:Muczynski from:10/01/2009 till:02/01/2010 color:Bass
 bar:Muczynski from:10/01/2009 till:02/01/2010 color:Tour width:3
 bar:Muczynski from:07/01/2013 till:12/01/2013 color:Bass
 bar:Muczynski from:07/01/2013 till:12/01/2013 color:Tour width:3
 bar:English from:12/01/2013 till:06/01/2014 color:Bass
 bar:English from:12/01/2013 till:06/01/2014 color:Tour width:3
 bar:Nottke from:06/01/2014 till:03/01/2015 color:Bass 
 bar:Nottke from:06/01/2014 till:03/01/2015 color:Tour width:3
 bar:Mike from:03/01/2015 till:06/01/2015 color:Bass 
 bar:Mike from:03/01/2015 till:06/01/2015 color:Tour width:3
 bar:Dustin from:06/01/2015 till:06/30/2016 color:Bass 
 bar:Dustin from:06/01/2015 till:06/30/2016 color:Tour width:3
 bar:Lederman from:07/01/1995 till:10/01/1995 color:Drums
 bar:Kleisath from:10/01/1995 till:08/01/1999 color:Drums
 bar:Gormley from:08/01/1999 till:06/01/2000 color:Drums
 bar:Goldbach from:06/01/2000 till:06/01/2001 color:Drums
 bar:Cardinal from:09/01/2001 till:02/01/2002 color:Drums
 bar:Tintari from:06/01/2002 till:10/01/2004 color:Drums
 bar:Gormley from:10/01/2004 till:06/01/2005 color:Drums
 bar:Dellon from:01/01/2020 till:end    color:Bass
 bar:Dellon from:01/01/2020 till:end    color:BVocals width:3
 bar:Dellon from:01/01/2020 till:end    color:Tour width:7
 bar:Go from:12/01/2005 till:04/01/2006 color:Drums
 bar:Go from:12/01/2005 till:04/01/2006 color:Tour width:3
 bar:Gormley from:04/01/2006 till:09/01/2008 color:Drums
 bar:Shook from:09/02/2008 till:12/31/2008 color:Drums
 bar:Justain from:01/01/2009 till:04/01/2009 color:Drums
 bar:Justain from:01/01/2009 till:04/01/2009 color:Tour width:3
 bar:Covey from:06/01/2009 till:06/01/2013 color:Drums
 bar:Goodrich from:10/01/2009 till:02/02/2010 color:Drums 
 bar:Goodrich from:10/01/2009 till:02/02/2010 color:Tour width:3
 bar:Joyal from:07/01/2013 till:01/01/2015 color:Drums 
 bar:Joyal from:07/01/2013 till:01/01/2015 color:Tour width:3
 bar:Watson from:01/01/2015 till:end color:Drums
}}

==Discography==
{{Main list|Shai Hulud discography}}

===Studio albums===
*''[[Hearts Once Nourished with Hope and Compassion]]'' (1997)
*''[[That Within Blood Ill-Tempered]]'' (2003)
*''[[Misanthropy Pure]]'' (2008)
*''[[Reach Beyond the Sun]]'' (2013)

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Portal|Biography}}
*[http://www.hulud.com Official Shai Hulud web site]
*[http://www.metalblade.com/english/artists/shaihulud/bio.php Shai Hulud] on [[Metal Blade Records]] website
*[http://revelationrecords.com/artistsfull.php?artists_id=89 Shai Hulud] on [[Revelation Records]] website

{{Shai Hulud}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Shai Hulud| ]]
[[Category:American progressive metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Metalcore musical groups from Florida]]
[[Category:Metalcore musical groups from New York (state)]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Pompano Beach, Florida]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Poughkeepsie, New York]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1995]]
[[Category:Trustkill Records artists]]
[[Category:Good Life Recordings artists]]
[[Category:Undecided Records artists]]
[[Category:Ides of March Records artists]]
[[Category:Metal Blade Records artists]]
[[Category:Revelation Records artists]]
[[Category:No Sleep Records artists]]
[[Category:1995 establishments in Florida]]