started work on third studio album

The group started work on their third studio album, Shihad , in June 1996 at Auckland’s York Street Studios , co-produced by the group with Welsford. They also toured both New Zealand and Australia. The album’s lead single, “La La Land” (October 1996), received “strong airplay support” on Australia’s national youth radio station, Triple J . Shihad followed in the next month and peaked at No. 11 in New Zealand but did not reach in the top 50 on the ARIA Albums Chart . Nimmervoll observed, “[it] marked a shift towards a more melodic sound.” Jody Scott and Iain Shedden of The Australian felt they were their country’s “most popular band” and the album “is bound to earn them universal favour.” They appeared on the front cover of Rip It Up Magazine , with the accompanying article by John Russell describing their support slot for AC/DC’s Ballbreaker World Tour in Auckland in November 1996. Russell noticed, “[they] battled for almost half an hour against audience indifference and the most horrid guitar sound I think they’ve ever had.”