This album is like a kick in the teeth, in the best way possible. Enter Shikari blend 8-bit sounds with post-hardcore music to create a style that’s as vicious as it is high energy. Their long awaited sophomore release, Common Dreads stays true to their sound, with a slew of new songs that will please any hardcore fan this side of the Atlantic.

‘Solidarity’ has a trance-induced opening that merges to straight guitars and pounding drums, amidst raw screams and chants. While most of the album sticks to this formula, what’s surprising is that it doesn’t get boring. They shake it up song to song, and while one would expect a post-hardcore band to stick strictly to deep subject matter, it doesn’t necessarily always play out that way. ‘No Sleep Tonight’ is actually heartfelt, playing more like a ballad than a mosh pit anthem. ‘Wall’ and ‘Hole In The Fence’ are the slowest tracks they’ve produced this time around, the music building in intensity in tune with Rou Reynolds unsteady, panicked vocals.

Of course, this kind of music isn’t for everyone, but how often do you see England based hardcore punk bands coming stateside? Think what you want, but mixing electronica with hardcore isn’t an easy task, and to do so effortlessly, and creating an album that appeals to a nascent urge to tear up the dance-floor (or mosh pit, whichever you prefer) is quite a feat.

RELATED POSTS:

No related posts.