Only the second unsigned band to sell-out the London Astoria (The Darkness were the first), this St. Albans foursome have variously been tagged as synth-wielding emo kids, New Rave of New Rave late-comers and indie boys on a hardcore trip. None of these labels are necessarily inaccurate but go only part of the way towards capturing the deranged essence of Enter Shikari. Kicking off with a flurry of trance synths, opener ‘Stand Your Ground, This Is Ancient Land’ captures the spirit of their debut album in microcosm. Whilst rave dabs segue into grinding guitars, frontman Rou Reynolds shrieks and yelps as if attempting to permanently traumatise his vocal chords.
As party tricks go, Shikari’s techno-goes-metal feels rather more ground-breaking than you might imagine – couched in keening electro washes, the grindcore tumult is freighted with a strange, eerie beauty. Nor are Enter Shikari one trick mugs; ‘Mothership’ feels like a kaftan-waring younger sibling of My Chemical Romance’s The Black Parade – it’s emo but with a glow-stick shoved up its arse. On ‘Labyrinth’ meanwhile, Enter Shikari tap the ghost of ‘80s electro pop: ignore Reynolds’ ogre groans and it’s an exquisitely poised chart trip. For those who wish Muse were a little more over the top and think The Prodigy never really did say what they meant, Enter Shikari are certain to baffle and delight in equal measure.