Altsounds - Three Trapped Tigers

Mathematics and rock music do not make perfect bed fellows on paper. One is calculated and enjoys a frosty reputation, the other is spontaneous and brimming with youthful energy and vigour. However there do exist rare moments when the twain meet and the results sparkle. Recently New York's 'Battles' have struck gold with their wacky blend of mad synths, jerky guitars and complex time signatures and now it's the turn of London natives 'Three Trapped Tigers.'

Their sound owes a lot to both the complexity of Battles and the layered electronica of 65 Days Of Static. What sets Three Trapped Tigers apart however is the uncompromising nature of the music. There are no concessions to the mainstream here, it's a full pelt avant-synth-rock raid on the senses, and it works very well indeed.

Clocking in at just under 20 minutes with 4 songs it was apparent from the off-set that Three Trapped Tigers were not going to take the route favoured by their peers (ponderous, 10 minute plus epics) and instead have endeavoured to fit as much as they can inside 5 minutes. The results can at first sound forced and a little messy, the third track (for example) almost made me shit a brick at first. Over time however even the most esoteric moments begin to reveal more shape and texture as more conventional melodies and ideas are woven into the mix and become apparent to the vigilant listener. It's a brutal record layered with bursts of noise, clattering beats and sub bass and is the most startling and abrasive (non-noise and/or metal based) release I've heard since Autechre's 'Untilted' album (a lofty compliment indeed).

That's not to say there are not moments of beauty to be found here though, the opening track fades into live over a droning synth progression that could have come straight off a Stars of the Lid album and the closing track takes things in a more gentle, melancholic direction with stuttering piano and morse code blips floating over a bed of disfigured and distant beats. Fair enough the song ends in a haze of cacophonous feedback but then what else did you expect?

All 4 songs chance pace, direction and dynamic more often than would be thought average on most full albums and as such there is a lot to take in, but persevere and those more open minded among you might just discover a unique, talented band worth treasuring.