Battles are so good it's sick. This supergroup features Don Caballero's former guitar god Ian Williams, John Stainer of Helmet, David Konopka of the highly-underrated Lynx, and Tyondai Braxton (whose split with Parts & Labor completely destroys). Together they create futuristic math-rock, complete with beeps, clicks and angular style.

There's some dub, some groove, some spazz-funk and a whole lot of jaw-dropping rhythm cut-ups. Battles rock to juxtaposing rhythms, staccato drums, female back-up choirs, loops, six-foot cymbals and beatboxes. Their coming out party consisted of three separate eps released on three different labels in roughly three weeks. These guys march to the beat of a different drummer. Good thing for us that drummer was in Helmet. Who could ask for anything more?

Battles open for Jamie Lidell at Webster Hall, on Saturday, November 18th.