Lithium Magazine

Hopeless Records

By Samantha Wu

http://www.entershikari.com
http://www.myspace.com/entershikari 

When I was first asked to review A Flash Flood of Colour, the newest release from British experimental metal band, Enter Shikari, I said, “Sure, why not?” Truth be told, I had only heard of the band’s name in passing but had not yet explored their music. Doing so exposed me to a rather eccentric sound that combines post-hardcore metal, electronica elements (including but not limited to dubstep, trance, and drum and base), metalcore, and rap (which, to me, always sounds better with an English accent).

Enter Shikari is comprised of members Roughton “Rou” Reynolds (lead vocals, programming, keyboards, synthesizers and acoustic guitar), Liam “Rory” Clevlow (guitars and backing vocals), Chris Batten (bass and backing vocals), and Rob Rolfe, (drums, percussion and backing vocals) all hailing from St. Albans, England. Their debut album was released in 2007, making A Flash Flood of Colour their third release that launched with rave reception, debuting at the top of the UK album charts.

What you’re met with when exploring the album is a surprise around every corner. Slow melodic tracks are often combined with ripping metal guitar chords, a steady thundering bass and that unique electronic element for good measure (evident in the track “Pack of Thieves” which starts with a beautifully melodic intro before meeting their guitar heavy counterparts). Their lyrics are also a mixed bag - some joking (like “Sssnakepit”), some political and scientific (like “…Meltdown”, “Arguing with Thermometers” and “Stalemate”).

What you can’t ignore even from the first listen is that Enter Shikari is a group of guys that piled into the recording studio and had a great time piecing together this album. The back and forth you sometimes hear on various tracks between the band, though probably staged for the song, do come off as genuine, and you can’t help but get caught up in the fun these guys are having.

If you’re the type of rock music and metal fan that isn’t afraid of new elements and experimentation, and can welcome a deliberate break from the standard metal formula of hard guitars, hard drums and hard vocals, then you can welcome Enter Shikari. The electronic element combined with the rhythmic guitars offers a level of melody and rhythm that is unique to their sound and easily acceptable for the auditory palette. They’re a band unafraid of leaving the standardized box far behind, exploring new frontiers and returning with a delivery of sound and rhythm accumulated from their experiences, and they’d love to let you in on their discovery.

Enter Shikari “A Flash Flood of Colour” track listing:
System…
…Meltdown
Sssnakepit
Search Party
Arguing with Thermometers
Stalemate
Ghandi Mate, Ghandi
Warm Smiles do not Make You Welcome Here
Pack of Thieves
Hello Tyrannosaurus, Meet Tyrannicide
Constellations