Review

Enter Shikari - Take To The Skies

27.06.2007 | Cam | 0 Comments

Genre: Hardcore / Trance / Japanese Pop
For Fans Of: Horse The Band - Lost Prophets - Underoath
Favourite Songs: Enter Shikari - Anything Can Happen In The Next Half Hour - Sorry, You're Not A Winner
Running Time: 52:51
Year: 2007
Website Link: http://www.entershikari.com
Myspace Link: http://www.myspace.com/entershikari

Score: 75

What the fuck...

REVIEW.

Have you ever wondered what would happen if a bunch of kids who really dug breakdowns, radio rock and over the top Euro-trance got together and made a record? Then look no further than Enter Shikari, because they’re debut full length is exactly that – an amalgamation of open D chords, clean vocals and out takes from a Ministry Of Sound CD.

I’ll be honest with you… I really wanted to hate this band. I saw a video on TV one night and thought it was some of the worst shit I’d heard in a long time. As fate would have it I received a copy of the record a few days later and whether I wanted to admit it or not, it was pretty fucking catchy!

I initially wrote the band’s use of electronics off as a gimmick, but on repeated listens I can honestly say that it does add to Enter Shikari’s sound. Without the synth element, their songs wouldn’t sound anywhere near as full or as interesting as they currently do.

I think I’d enjoy the record a lot more if their singer stuck to screaming but I guess his vocal hooks must be ok if Enter Shikari were able to sell out 1000 person capacity venues off the back of their demo.

People are either going to love or hate this band, but at the very least they’re original. Hell, some of the more melodic moments on “Take To The Skies” have an almost power metal feel to them. Some people will argue that they’re simply ripping off Horse The Band, but HTB never displayed such straight up rock and pop influences.

At least give these guys a listen before writing them off. I’m sure we should be expecting a tour announcement some time this year.