Enter Shikari - 'The Zone' (Ambush Reality) Released 12/11/07

What a cheek! Repackaging already released songs and shoddy remix and live versions as a new EP! A shameless piece of merchandising! Well yes, but ‘The Zone’ is also the chance for all those people who spent their summer living deep underground to catch up with the genius that is Enter Shikari.

And let’s face it if you haven’t heard their stuff then you’re one of the few. Initially considered on the fringe of that whole nu-rave thing (you know, bright tacky clothing, tight trousers, complete androgyny), the energy of the band’s live shows showed them to be far more rock then that daft indie lot. But more than all the day glow t-shirts and metal accessories it was the unique mix of trance and metal that captured people’s interests. And let’s face it, anyone who can get rockers and ravers to come together, join hands and trashing the hell out of the UK’s venues and festivals is better than Jesus in this book.

So ‘The Zone’ as a little reminder to all this isn’t such a band thing. For the hardcore following there is some new (if average) material in the form of ‘The Feast’ and ‘Kicking Back On The Surface Of Your Cheek’. There’s a very cool old-school rave mixes of ‘Adieu’. And then there’s fantastic versions of the set list toppers ‘Sorry You’re Not A Winner’ and ‘Mothership’. No better introduction can be imagined for this band…unless it involved them playing in your digs (and leaving it in one piece!)

So is this a shameless release or a much needed update? Well a bit of both. But from a band who are largely self funded and who stick to a very DIY ethic with their releases, it’s a necessary release to keep going. So just like not giving money to cancer care kills puppies, not owning this is (or the album ‘Take To The Skies’ ) is your personal contribution to the castration and disposing of all great youth music. I hope you’re satisfied.