Live Review: Battles

Over the last eight years and three albums, Battles have developed a sound much larger than their three-piece selves. At Sydney's Manning Bar they wasted no time building up a bubbling, distorted introduction to Dot Com, masterfully crafting a level of anticipation in the crowd that almost bordered on unnerving.

The lads from Battles have learnt the fine art of creating a foundation for their songs, and taking their time if needed. The rumbling, robust build-up of each song clearly shows their talent as multi-instrumentalists. Guitarist/bassist Dave Konopka popped in and out of sight throughout the show, meticulously looping and distorting sounds on pedals on the ground in between jamming. Likewise Ian Williams effortlessly traded his guitar for the fort of synths that had been built up around him, swapping in and out seamlessly.

Arguably the highlight of any Battles show is drummer John Stanier, whose sheer power on the drums propels the band to thunderous levels. Whether it be his wonky, measured rhythms on Summer Simmer or the more tribal thumps of their hit Atlas, his fast-paced precision on the drums is awe-inspiring. This guy moved so fast that his shirt was literally drenched in sweat by the end of the second song. He's a machine.

Battles only played eight songs in their set, culminating with The Yabba, the opening track off their latest album La Di Da Di, and stretched every one of them to colossal lengths. The boys literally squeezed everything out of each song, elongating and grasping every beat and note in a fit of ordered chaos. Occasionally they treaded the line of being a bit too repetitious in their looping and distortions but always seemed aware of when to release the pressure from their rumbling, raw build-up.