Flashing, lights varying in color; bringing me back to a 1970′s ecstasy trip. Bass, constantly thumping causes the massive ocean of a crowd to bob with the music while they throw their hands in the air.

Boom-Boom-Boom-Boom. A techno beat thunders through the venue, glow sticks are being thrown as the band rave dances onstage.

DUNNNN. Suddenly, the low rumble of the guitars ring out, but the techno beat continues behind. The drums build up, the singer calls for the crowd to “get lively.” The crowd has stopped jumping. A giant hole opens up in the middle of the floor. A heavy breakdown hits, the techno still plays; what a strange but unbelievable combination.

The guitarist has bright, white LEDs glowing on the neck of his instrument. They slice through the dark room as he whips his guitar around, still staying on beat.

The drummer sits atop his throne like a gargoyle, wildly flailing behind everyone. He looks like a ten year old kid banging pots and pans around. It’s a surprise that he too is still on beat.

The bassist sings along with the crowd who is chanting the lyrics to the song in play. The singer is being mauled; everyone wants to get on the microphone.

And this is only their first song.

The band in question is Enter Shikari: A London based, 4 piece Hardcore, Techno, ROCK band. Emphasis added to “Rock”, so everyone will grasp just how surreal their live performances are.

The band formed in 2003, playing small venues in and around their hometown of St Albans City. It wouldn’t be until 3 years later that they would start getting more press and constant fan attention.

Soon after, the band dropped their full length debut album “Take to the Skies” with Ambush Reality records which, I believe is the most epic album in stores and online right now. With tracks ranging from feel good sing-alongs to heavy breakdown filled songs loaded with gang vocals. Enter Shikari does more than just play their set for the crowd, they bring you in allowing you to be an integral part of the show. Imagine Da Rude (Sandstorm), As I Lay Dying, and Guns N Roses having a menage a trois, and somehow manage to procreate a child, you would have an Enter Shikari baby.

Using stunts such as human pyramids, fast flashing lights, crowd surfing, and intermissions rivaling a rave, Enter Shikari has the stage presence unmatched by any band you’ll ever have the opportunity to see.

I had the pleasure of seeing them at a small bar/venue called “Bottom of the Hill” in San Francisco, and at the bigger, well-known “Soma” in San Diego. Two extremely different venues; I was expecting to get the Diet version of their show in San Francisco, to store energy for their bigger one in San Diego two days later. However, they killed it equally at both shows, which was extremely refreshing. I am sick of bands who start to get big and suddenly decide they don’t want to perform 100% at smaller shows to save up for the bigger ones. Enter Shikari puts their heart and soul into each second of the show, savoring every moment as if it could be the last time they perform.

Turn off your radio, and cop yourself their first full length, and the singles off their sophomore album they plan to release Nov of 2009.

Enter Shikari: a Band You Now Know About.

JOHN MacGREGOR

• The Telly