Shihad -- Love Is The New Hate

Written by Shihad
Produced by GGGarth and Shihad
Released in 2005
Running Length of 39 minutes, 01 seconds.


Introduction

Around 2001 Shihad went to the US in order to try and break into the American market (There's a non-updated page about them on mtv.com). Unfortunately, the 9/11 attacks found them with a name that was considered too dangerous and they were advised to change it in order to get shows and attention (Shihad comes from a mispelling of Jihad from the book Dune). They did so and also followed the advice on how to take their music. The fans back home in New Zealand didn't like this, but we supported our boys in their efforts. The attempt to break America failed anyway and they came home wondering what was happening.
Love is the New Hate, their sixth album, brings them back to their roots. It draws on the experiences of foreigners in a strange land during the buildup to the war in Iraq and the experiments changing who they were in order to acheive something that they no longer think they need.

Track Listing:

  1. None Of The Above
  2. Empty Shell
  3. Day Will come
  4. All The Young Fascists
  5. Saddest Song In The World
  6. Big Future
  7. Shot In The Head
  8. Dark Times
  9. Traitor
  10. Stop
  11. Alive
  12. Guts And The Glory

For reference, Shihad are:

Sleeve Art
The cover to this album is striking. It is a deep glossy black throughout and features crisp bright photos of praying mantis' mating. Though not 'explicit' images, you do notice by the end of the booklet that the only insect remaining is eating part of the other. This is supposed to reflect the idea of the album, that love and hate are all mixed up now.

Song Meanings
Note: If you would like to contribute your feelings toward any of these songs, or you think I may be wrong, /msg me and I'll add it.

  1. None Of The Above
    A soft ballad of a song that is actually a very nice introduction to the album. It's just over two minutes long so you're into the meat of the album quickly anyway. The song was written to mourn a friend of the band who passed away as they were beginning the recording of it. It is quite touching. Throwing water down the well / Can be Heaven, can be Hell / I feel stupid, I feel love / I'm feeling none of the above
  2. Empty Shell
    Now the album gets moving. A quick buildup to a rolling riff that just makes you want to nod your head. From what I can tell, the song is about someone who has no inner being, morals and thoughts etc. They are just an Empty Shell, doing wrong but never caring. Show the secrets that you never tell / Empty Shell / Explode
  3. Day Will Come
    This song hits the ground running and moves through the verse into a slightly more mellow chorus. But the lyrics are provocative. There are no actual references, but some of the lines seem to imply an anti right-wing idea. Particularly You liar, we want you out, out, out / And the whole world's to blame / For not feeling the same / Don't be stupid / It's not that simple
  4. All The Young Fascists
    This song was inspired by the feeling Shihad while they were promoting their last album in the States. They would go to rock shows and find that the show had turned into a "Support the Troops" event, leaving the band feeling very uncomfortable. The idea of all the youth going this way is the basis of the song. They're taking all the clours away / Can't put it back together / They're taking all the colours away / We'll never forgive / And we will never forget
  5. Saddest Song In The World
    A simple song that rises up a level in the chorus. I find the chorus feels more uplifting than "Saddest in the World" but maybe if you're already feeling bad it hits a different spot in your head. The lyrics are simple, listing a falling person's feelings but then saying in the chorus With your love I can feel more than anyone / With your heart I can see more than anyone
  6. Big Future
    Stright into the metal edge of Shihad with chants of We Want The Enemey! Give Us The Enemy!. This song is unfortunately very very short but its passion and noise make up for that. Its about getting out and doing things, making the big future. But it also seems to have a sarcastic side, showing the aggressive attitude of people wanting to go to war. Gonna sit and say nothing? / Gonna sit and stay stoned? / Gonna sit there and suck it? / Real big future coming on
  7. Shot In The Head
    This song is a bit softer (though still good and rocky) but the lyrics are well shaped and progress nicely. It's a look around yourself, wondering whther you have made a difference, made an impression on others. Feeling like the world is a shot in your head, too much to bear sometimes. But not in a depressing way, a redemptive way. Will I be missed by this beautiful world / Frozen in time / Too caught up in giving 'em hell / To know you're alive
  8. Dark Times
    Another slower track that picks up in the chorus. The song is about facing down the dark times and starting again anyway. I'm giving up what holds me down / I'm gonna burn it to the ground / And everything left hanging round / I'm gonna burn it to the ground
  9. Traitor
    One of my favourites, this song has a pulse to it that really grabs you. The chorus scream of Kill, Kill, Kill! really gets you moving. It seems to be about someone in charge causing bulldozered homes and who has loose, or no, morals and how they are the traitor to everyone else; not that someone might be a traitor to them. No matter what you try to sell me / They're never gonna give / Because the combat zone they're living on / Fuck, it ain't no way to live
  10. Stop
    Yet another slow song (but all the slow songs are still very good). A call for people to stop and take stock of what they have, what they're getting, what they have left behind. Stop! / The voice inside your head / Don't leave me for dead
  11. Alive
    The first single off the album, and released long before news about the album began floating around. After the stadium rock style songs that came out of Pacifier, Alive was a sign to the fans that Shihad was back with a vengence. This was also the first time they told people that they had changed their name back to Shihad. It's a song attacking the mindless consumerism that seems to be breeding across the world. I got all that I want in life / It's something you cannot buy / I got all that I want in life / I just need a break, I just need a break
  12. Guts And The Glory
    Closing with a ballad, the band seem to describe the feeling of being lost in a strange country and finding their way back home. Then being able to sit with friends and remember what they had attempted, figuring out what really matters. One more year where it just keeps you guessing / I can't forget any valuable lessons / We were all the way out trying to find a way home

RECOMMENDED TRACKS:

  1. All the Young Fascists
  2. Alive
  3. Traitor
  4. Aw, hell, the whole album is good

This album is a great way to find out about Shihad. It touches on the radio friendly music they created as Pacifier but retains some of the edge that seemed missing then. If you find you like it, start working your way back through their albums I'm sure you won't be dissapointed.


Sources:
www.nzmusic.com
www.staticecstasy.com
www.shihad.com

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