“Shihad quite simply laid waste to what came before them. As a band, there are few that play tighter hard rock and honour the riff as diligently as Shihad; they’re a precision machine with a beating heart.” Doubtful Sounds
Forged in the fires of 1988’s thrash metal scene, Wellington’s SHIHAD quickly evolved into one of Australia’s most beloved bands. SHIHAD (Jon Toogood, Karl Kippenberger, Phil Knight, Tom Larkin) has sold over a quarter of a million records, released ten studio albums, received multiple ARIA nominations, won countless Aotearoa Music Awards and toured endlessly through the world’s most loved clubs, festivals, and arenas. Touring with metal icons like Faith No More, Tool, Back Sabbath, Motorhead and one of their biggest early influences, AC/DC. Live is where SHIHAD is truly an oversized presence.
In 2010 SHIHAD were inducted into the Aotearoa’s Music Hall of Fame, firmly establishing themselves as New Zealand’s biggest rock band.
With gaps between albums increasing, growing commitments outside the band, and band members’ inability to give SHIHAD the time, focus and dedication it needed and deserved, they made the hard call to end the band. While opinions within differ, they are united in agreement that half-assing SHIHAD was never an option.
To celebrate thirty-six years of memories and milestones, the band announces Loud Forever – The Final Tour.
“We’ve had as much fun as we’ve had moments of disappointment and of anger,” Karl says. “But we’ve also had some real special moments.”
“The fundamental chemistry and makeup of what makes SHIHAD special and what makes SHIHAD work requires certain things to be in place,” Tom explains. “When you can’t sustain those things or plan for those things, it takes away from SHIHAD being something that makes sense. It’s about a shared commitment and a shared energy.”
Phil muses. “You know, personal relationships and professional work don’t always survive forever. But we’ve lived it all. We really have. We’ve lived the life that so many musicians would give their right arm for.”
“We need to pay homage to the legacy of this band, because it’s meant so much to us and also to the people that have supported us,” Jon says, before adding, “We’re gonna fucking hit it!”
SHIHAD’s songbook is teeming with iconic tunes like Run, The General Electric, La La Land, Pacifier, My Mind’s Sedate, Deb’s Night Out, Gimme Gimme, Wait and See and the brutal I Only Said (1993), their highest charting single which pounded its way to No.3. And, you can’t forget Home Again, their instant classic that became an anthem not just for SHIHAD, but for all Kiwis abroad.
The upcoming LOUD FOREVER tour offers both the band and its nation of fans the opportunity of a fittingly loud and raucous farewell.
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