MANY metal bands pride themselves on the explosive power of their performances, and ability to send their deafened fans home with ringing ears.

But causing structural damage? Now, that’s got to be a new one. Unless you are Enter Shikari.

The post-hardcore four-piece were forced to call off their gig at Blackpool’s venerable Empress Ballroom after they caused the ceiling to collapse.

“Our bass was too much and the ceiling started to cave-in during sound check,” says drummer Rob Rolfe.

“Then the health and safety dudes came in and told us it wasn’t safe enough to play!”

For Enter Shikari it’s all in a day’s work. Brutal and bombastic, they simply prefer things loud – rocky, trancy, dubby, and shot through with heavy, foundation-crumbling bass.

It’s a combination that works, and ensures that, when not damaging buildings, they inevitably sell-out wherever they play – such as tonight’s show at Oxford’s O2 Academy.

So what is their secret? “Passion,” says Rob. “We are passionate about what we do.”

And, while there are shades of Spinal Tap to the St Albans band’s excesses, Rob and his bandmates – singer Roughton ‘Rou’ Reynolds, guitarist Rory Clewlow, and bassist Chris Batten – take it very seriously.

“I try to live well, eat well and treat my body well,” says Rob. “I have fun, educate myself, and don’t take myself too seriously. And I treat others as I want to be treated.

“As for music, we all have very eclectic tastes. I personally listen to a lot of classical music and hard house, dub and jazz, but sometimes throw in a bit of bhangra.”

Clearly, he doesn’t fit the image of the typical rock sticksman. And that goes for the rest of the band too.

“There’s a lot of waiting around on tour, so the day time can be pretty boring,” Rob says. “We spend a lot of time reading books or on our laptops so are probably not the best company. But the evenings are when we come alive.

“Obviously the shows themselves are always hectic, but we also try to get a small taste of the nightlife in every city we see. I’ll let you use your imagination as to what we get up to!”

He adds with pride: “It gets pretty damn rock and roll. Only this morning, Rou dropped some butter on the floor and didn’t clean it up!

“We’re big fans of beer but some points of the night it can start to slow you down so it’s better to move on to spirits. When on a night out drinking, the trick is to only go up in percentages. For example, if you’ve been on spirits all night, don’t then go back to wine or beer. Also, strategic glasses of water are essential, and always neck a pint of water before going to bed – you might have to get up in the night, but your head will thank you for it in the morning.”

The band are on the road for their first major UK tour for two years. It comes as they release single Snakepit from their as-yet untitled third album, out in the new year.

So, what’s it going to be like? “Heavy,” says Rob. “With lots of big synths, beefy beats, banging guitars and butt-shaking bass. There’s some of the heaviest music we’ve ever written on it, but also some of the most delicate and layered, melodic music we’ve ever produced.

“It’s very diverse but kept the Enter Shikari sound. As cheesy as it sounds, expect the unexpected.”

The song, mixed by Mike Fraser (AC/DC, Biffy Clyro, Metallica), was recorded by the band in Bang Saray, Thailand. So why Siam? “We went because we had the opportunity to,” says Rob.

“It was either that or central London, and we didn’t fancy the daily commute.

“We could have either done it in dirty, grimy London or paradise. Which would you choose?”

The tour follows a summer of international gigging – including an earth-moving slot at Reading.

“Playing at Reading Festival this year was a pretty big moment for all of us,” says Rob. “We all came off stage absolutely buzzing. We had all played well and rocked out, and the crowd was absolutely mental. I loved every second of it, and didn’t want to come off.

“It was the festival we all used to go to as punters, so to play it on the main stage was an honour. It was crazy being on the other side of the fence, but not much happens back there so we spent most of our time out in the arena watching bands.”

For a band as unashamedly rock & roll as Enter Shikari, I suggest to Rob that he must have a wealth of crazy tales to tell. He does. But rather than tales of groupies and glamour, his favourite story comes as a surprise.

“I got urinated on while trying to sleep in my bunk,” he says.

“Chris had had a bit too much to drink and wasn’t sure of where the toilet was so decided my bunk would have to do.

“Needless to say, I made him sleep in my bunk... and I took his.”