The British four-piece from Hertfordshire, Enter Shikari refuse to be pinned down to a single genre, incorporating elements of hardcore, metal and electronic into their performance. Their third and final single of 2013, ‘Rat Race’ is a frantic piece of post-hardcore that will satisfy long term Shikari fans as it recalls their earlier sound from their debut album, Take To The Skies.
Rat Race is an energetic effort, complete with heavy offerings of guitar, drum, and manic screams. The screamo moments are used tastefully so as to enrich the song and not be too overbearing. Vocalist Rou Reynolds also adds a touch of social commentary; his lyrics criticizing a monotonous work driven existence. Although, the preaching becomes a little contrived as Reynolds screams the rather awkward ‘Lets get disqualified’ line near the song’s conclusion.
To conclude, this is a respectable offering from Enter Shikari. There is nothing ground breaking here, and although it doesn’t have the anthemic power of previous hits, ‘Sorry You’re Not A Winner’ or ‘Juggernauts’, it certainly has the energy to excite fans and spark many a mosh pit at live shows.
7/10
Rat Race is distributed by PIAS UK and is available for purchase and download now.
