I ain't an English native speaker but I understand

> 
> (1) "This band is shit" 
> 
> 
> 

as negative (i.e. a very bad band), and

> 
> (2) "This band is the shit" 
> 
> 
> 

as positive (i.e. an extremely good band). I would convey, in French, the former as

> 
> (1) Ce groupe est nul
> 
> 
> 

and the latter as 

> 
> (2) Ce groupe est absurdement super.
> 
> 
> 

**A.** What other ways exist to express the same meaning with (1) and (2)
 using words of similar register with *shit*. E.g.

> 
> (1) Ce groupe est merde
> 
> 
> 

can convey the first meaning (i.e. the negative one)?

**B.** Are there any examples of phrases in French, that the lack of a
 definite article as above, completely changes the meaning of a
 sentence?