Post-hardcore outfit Enter Shikari formed in Hertfordshire, England in 2003. Founded from the remnants of the group Hybryd, the original lineup was comprised of vocalist Rou Reynolds, guitarist Liam "Rory" Clewlow, bassist Chris Batten, and drummer Rob Rolfe. In June 2003 Enter Shikari issued the demo EP Nodding Acquaintance, which they sold at gigs and via their website. The success of two additional self-released EPs, Sorry, You're Not a Winner and 2004's Anything Can Happen in the Next Half Hour, further developed their growing fan base and cemented the band's decision to go it alone, rejecting the overtures of major labels. As Enter Shikari continued their relentless live schedule, they also embraced the social networking website MySpace, in 2006 securing a spot on the Gibson/MySpace stage at the annual Download Festival. That same summer, the group founded its own record label, Ambush Reality, and issued the digital-only single "Mothership." At year's end, Enter Shikari were just the second unsigned band to sell out the famed London Astoria. In March 2007, they issued their first proper LP, Take to the Skies, which entered the British Top Five on the strength of the smash single "Anything Can Happen in the Next Half Hour." In April of 2009 the single "Juggernauts" announced the coming of their second album, Common Dreads, which appeared in June of that year. The band set out on tour at home and abroad before settling down in Bangkok, Thailand to work on new material with producer (and former SikTh guitarist) Dan Weller in 2011. Their third album, A Flash Flood of Colour, was released in early 2012. They returned to the studio with Dan Weller after a heavy touring schedule in 2013 to work on new material for their fourth studio album. During the recording process they joined Warped Tour, as well as appearing on the bill for Reading and Leeds festivals in 2014. Toward the end of the year the four-piece announced the release of The Mindsweep, which was due in early 2015.
Jason Ankeny
AllMusic.com
