Battles - Mirrored

Battles

Without a doubt this is one of, if not the most mentally epic album I have ever heard. To a certain degree this album is like a 5 year old who's consumed waaaay too many e numbers, I mean take a listen to "Ddiamondd" It begins like a robot falling down some stairs whilst trying to sing and then when he hits a level the sound of a juggernaugnt comes looming, only in reality its the bass and keyboard making the noise and not actually a lorry!
In places this album veers towards a more rock orientated version of Free Jazz and then without warning slams you back against the wall with a hell of a riff that will keep your head pounding for days.
Clearly, this record deserved repeated listens as it's just so dense and complex that one listen will not give you enough of an idea about the hidden depths that are there, waiting to be explored. Granted, some people will dismiss this as nothing but a bunch of random shite, but what do they know?!!
When you combine the drummer from Tommahawk, a couple of hardcore guitarists and a crazy vocalist and what you get is something called "Math Rock". Wikipedia describe it as "It is characterised by complex, atypical rhythmic structures, stop/start dynamics and angular, dissonant riffs". I couldn't agree more, as in places that is exactly what you get, but at times you get some of the best rythms and tunes you're ever likely to find. A prime example of this was the first single, "Atlas" which clocks in a just over 7 minutes and carries you like a baby with the most pounding rhythm you'll ever hear, yeah so the vocals sound like an elf singing, but that helps add to the feel of the track and before you know it, the track's over!
So, if you fancy something a little bit odd, and certainly different and you have a soft spot for things like Four Tet, Aphex Twin, Mogwai, Godspeed.... and any brutal rock band you care to name then you have to check this out! It's already climbing the ranks of my top albums of the year (and I've only had it a couple of weeks!).

Check out the video for Atlas (it's cut to 4 and a bit minutes):