Enter Shikari

Trancecore- you probably haven't heard of it; if you have then there are probably only a few bands that come to mind. For starters I'll explain this term. trance core, or trance hardcore is the combination of two musical genres. Trance and hardcore. Trance is a type of electronic music characterized by it's 130 to 155 beats per minute tempo. Trance is more melodic than house, electronica, industrial and most other forms of dance music and can be distinguished by it's epic scale and psychadelic qualities. Hardcore on the other hand is a bit different. Hardcore music evolved from early american punk and is generally faster and heavier with vocals that are more in tune with the beat than it's predecessor. A vocal technique referred to as the vox scream is also used that adds a different vibe to the melody and instrument arrangements.

Enter Shikari is one of the few that has successfully combined the two.

Enter Shikari is a band based out of St. Albans, Hertfordshire that features four members: Leslie 'Rou' Reynolds, Liam Clewlow, Chris Batten, and Rob Rolfe. beginning in 2003 they began releasing EPs online and at their shows. Their debut album Take to the Skies was released in 2007 and reached a peak of #4 on the UK music charts. This album, one of my all-time personal favorites, established the band in the British punk scene and put some rarely heard music into the mainstream. Take to the Skies discussed a variety of topics including aliens, love, and general disdain for the disrespectful.

After releasing the album, Enter Shikari took time to tour, release a few singles and work on their sophomore effort. This came in 2009 in the form of Common Dreads. This album was a step away from trancecore and a step towards post-hardcore. While they still featured some of the techniques that distinguished them on Take to the Skies lead singer Rou Reynolds no longer used the vox scream on most tracks. Their lyrical focus also shifted from the topics above to those of rebellion, new social order, and our need to actually start giving a shit about other people. Generally anti-government this album is full of raw emotion and feelings of being fed up with the way things are. Enter Shikari is not happy with the way things are being run, and not just in the UK. Political ideals aside though...

Enter Shikari is a unique band that you don't get to hear everyday. If you feel like switching it up one day and you want something to headbang or dance to, These guys are for you. Tracks to listen to - Mothership, Step Up, Sorry You're Not a Winner, and Adieu.