As a pre-cursor to their forthcoming eighth album, New Zealand band Shihad are to celebrate 21 years in the business by playing two of their albums in full.

Something tells me that someone in the band's camp thinks this is iconic!

In August this year, the boys in black will perform two iconic albums from their amazing catalogue; KILLJOY and THE GENERAL ELECTRIC. Both albums will be performed track-for-track over two iconic shows in Melbourne & Sydney ONLY as a special treat for fans.

Killjoy (1995) is the bands second album. Considered one of the best local "metal" releases of the time, it garnered the group attention from the likes of Metallica and Faith No More. Jon Toogood had really long hair. The General Electric (1999) is considered the bands "breakthrough" album. It sold over 30,000 copies and brought the band to mainstream radio attention with the likes of 'My Mind's Sedate' and the title track. Jon Toogood had short hair. It's a slick affair. I once heard that the album's producer, Garth Richardson (Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Rage Against The Machine), made the band tune their guitars before every chord.

Here's the thing: the album that the band released between these albums - and the one they've not elected to play - is their 1996 self-titled (also called the "fish" album, thanks to its cover art), and the thing is a largely undiscovered gem. It found the band experimenting, stretching beyond the limitations of the "metal" genre and trying to infuse their music with a little more pop craft. Such efforts wrought more nuanced songs such as 'Your Head Is A Rock' and 'Leo's Song', the brutal rock of 'Ghost From The Past' and 'Hate Boys', as well as the flat out classic 'Home Again'. It's their bridging album, the sound of a band messing around with what they want to be, and as such, is far and away the most interesting (if not best) album in their catalogue.

We said as much here and they ignored us. Unbelievable.

SHIHAD’s KILLJOY & THE GENERAL ELECTRIC TOUR
Tickets on sale Wednesday 26th May
 
Single Show Tickets $25 incl booking fee
Double Show Tickets $40+bf (MELBOURNE) & $44+bf (SYDNEY)**
Premium Show tickets $55 incl booking fee (Single Show Tickets)**
 
Fri 13th Killjoy & Sat 14th August
The General Electric – NORTHCOTE SOCIAL CLUB Melbourne
Tickets on sale from shihad.oztix.com.au and Oztix phone charge 1300 762 545, www.northcotesocialclub.com and at the box office 94861677 or in person via Corner Box Office 57 Swan Street, Richmond
 
Fri 20th Killjoy & Sat 21st August
The General Electric – ANNANDALE HOTEL Sydney
Tickets on sale from shihad.oztix.com.au and Oztix phone charge 1300 762 545 and from the Venue phone charge 02 9550 1078 or www.annandalehotel.com


Shihad - live in 1989


Shihad - 'You Again' live (Killjoy)


Shihad - 'My Mind's Sedate' live (The General Electric)


Shihad - 'Home Again' live (Shihad)