Battles
In Don Caballero, Ian Williams examined King Crimson through a gargantuan math rock microscope. In Helmet, John Stanier crafted a soaring post-grunge power surge. In Battles, along with Dave Konopka and electronic maverick Tyondai Braxton, sporadic concrete interludes are sandwiched by glorious slabs of polyrhythmic insistence. A brief moment might suggest Bitch Magnet tackling Beefheart, and then the music belches gratuitously before flying off again in impossible combinations. Over 5 EPs on a range of US indie micro-labels, Battles display their transcendent compositional athleticism and assurance, the essential sonic dexterity of each member perfected in previous musical lives. Lauded across the States for their live prowess, Battles? European live shows are gathering momentum amongst roumours of record deals and future tours!
