Misanthropy Pure is a welcome return that finds Shai Hulud hitting on all cylinders. The metalcore pioneers have been copied by innumerable bands over the years, and show why it takes the original to reveal how flawed copies can be. They are as angry and passionate on this CD as they've ever been, mixing the intensity of hardcore with the groovy riffs of thrash and throwing in some punk for good measure. On the surface it's a pretty straightforward release, but after a few listens you'll hear more subtle melodies and other nuances than you may have expected. There's also not a single traditional breakdown on the whole CD. Some may consider that a negative, but I find it refreshing.
Mazzali is going to be under quite a bit of scrutiny as the new vocalist, and he does a solid job. His delivery is angry, but doesn't have quite the vocal versatility Van Der Velde did. It's always nice when veterans are still able to show the kids how things should be done, and that's exactly what Shai Hulud does with Misanthropy Pure.
(released May 27, 2008 on Metal Blade Records)
