Battles -- Mirrored

The ominous, eerie ambiance of Battles' newest venture is equivalent to being chased through a chaotic, demented funhouse by a sadistic horde of machete-wielding clowns. Fueled by an outfit of technically progressive savants -- like Ian Williams of Don Caballero and John Stanier of Helmet and Tomahawk -- Battles has successfully constructed a perception-bending roller coaster of abstract sound. Mirrored benefits from a trailblazing manipulation of software that toils to accent the album's awesomely intricate guitar and drum work. Yet the amusement park is capitalized by the indiscernible, multi-processed "vocals" that sound like they've been filtered through 8,000 effect pedals in order to appropriately narrate the freakish fairy tale of noise. Standout tracks like "Atlas" and "Leyendecker" are delightfully hypnotic romps brimming with thumping, computerized hysteria and frightening melodies. Having already released a series of EPs that chronicles the group's ascent to experimental/instrumental prominence, Battles has produced an astounding, slightly terrifying full-length that proves they're technologically just a few steps ahead of most everyone else. I know this all sounds a little haughty, but Mirrored treads an unparalleled musical landscape that shouldn't go unrecognized. Swallow the hysteria and enjoy. It's worth it. (Kevin Warwick) Grade: A