A Flash Flood Of Colour

With such high expectation surrounding the release of Enter Shikari's third studio album, the boys made sure they delivered something that would not dissapoint and would not be forgotten in a flash...
A Flash Flood Of Colour begins with 'System...', with opening lyrics of a beautiful metaphor comparing our dear old Blighty to a house succumbing to the eroding cliff face of it's foundation...

'There was a house in a field on the side of a cliff, and the waves crashing below were just said to be a myth, so they ignored the warnings from the ships in the docks. Now the house on the cliff is the wreckage on the rocks.'

This is a clear indication of where the albums heading, and from there on out the metaphors keep getting better, and the message keeps getting stronger.
It was clear from the band's second album, 'Common Dreads', that they were moving towards being another 'political' band with something to say - but it's frontman Rou Reynold's passion, and venom-spitting conviction with his lyrics that seperates them from the rest. Not all the glory lies with Reynolds, however, they are very much a band whose successes rely on the strength and solidarity of them as a four-piece. Their notorious live shows are packed-full of high energy, sheer passion, and madness from the word go thanks to loyal fans, and a unified band.


A Flash Flood Of Colour has been sitting on the top spot of the album charts since it's release on Monday, which sparks suggestion that they are moving toward mainstream success - however, you can rest assured this is not a band who look like buckling to mainstream pressures. They have achieved their success by sticking to their guns, and pursuing their beliefs - clearly demonstrated throughout the 11 tracks on the album.
A number one album for a band like this would be a triumph for independent music, and real music fans - fans who follow the band religiously with anticipation and excitement. Fans who buy albums, and travel around the country to secure their place in as many mosh pits as they can. Fans who feel a part of the movement.

This album is not only their angriest, and most aggresive yet but their most beautiful. Amongst the sonic barrage, there are moments of pure tenderness and poignance in songs like 'Constellations' and 'Stalemate' whilst maintaining a strong sense of purpose and direction.
Songs like 'Sssnakepit' and 'Gandhi Mate, Gandhi' seem to be steered on pure adrenaline & rip-roaring choruses as they tackle their anti-communist spiel.
From beginning to end, the album is like an assault course of experimentation, from it's electronics, classic metal-riffs, piano, brass & string arrangements to acoustic guitar, it has it all.

One things for sure, unlike their message in 'Arguing with thermometers', "you haven't thought this through have you boys?" - it is clear that they have thought this through, and in doing so they have delivered an album with brutal conviction, unrelenting energy and impressive spirit.