Live Review: BATS, Kraak Gallery, Manchester, 04/14/2013

My penchant for catchy post-hardcore and my passion for Dublin quintet BATS are both well documented, and once the two were combined in an intimate, raucous setting, the outcome was inevitable. The night began with a thundering twosome playing in the middle of the room surrounded by people, and yet my mind strayed and wandered as I explored the many fantastically cheesy craic puns which could be made with an Irish band headlining at a venue called the Kraak gallery. The frenetic immediacy of the opening band however immediately brought me back down to earth. Two piece post-rock bands are rarely capable of eliciting comparisons to And So I Watch You From Afar in their self-titled debut era, but Bearfoot Beware exceeded the sum of their parts through simple looping and sheer grit, and they provided the perfect platform for BATS to build on through heavily distorted guitars and berserk yet rhythmic drumming.

Artist Of The Day: BATS

BATS is one of the most talented and original bands in post-hardcore today, and the late 2012 release of their second album The Sleep of Reason has only swelled their growing popularity. They effortlessly stand out from the crowd because really, no comparisons are accurate enough to do them justice. Sure, there are moments on The Fall of Troy’s Doppelganger which might come close to emulating the mathy riffs which BATS deploy, but the post-punk undertones and the varying song structures set it apart and are unrivalled in one package. However, the most distinguishable trait they possess is the lyrical content delivered by frontman Rupert Morris, and he fluctuates wildly between topics which physics and evolution enthusiasts marvel at. For BATS, it’s simply the norm to ponder the wisdom of pushing the boundaries of stem cell research and follow it up by recreating the fiery apocalypse of the universe’s end.

BATS are due to embark on a UK tour in the next week, and their science and astronomy inspired bombardments are likely to send tremors around a gritty, intimate setting near you soon. You can check out the details of their upcoming tour on their LastFM page, and also buy your tickets from the link below.

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Artist Of The Day - BATS

Where have BATS been these past few years? Dropping their critically acclaimed Red in Tooth and Claw back in 2009, the band has released little in the way of confirming a new album. While three years doesn't seem like that long of a wait, for those who fell in love with the band's peculiar science filled progressive hardcore, the wait has been agonizing.

Red in Tooth and Claw is a sonic marvel that displays a mindblowing creativity and a unique sound. The thoughtful blending of post-hardcore with experimental rock creates a fantastic backdrop for the band's fascinating lyrical content. Filled to the brim with science references, BATS come off as a very intelligent group of guys, all without seeming too contrived or up their own asses. For those who are tired of your typical fare, Red in Tooth and Claw is a must have.

BATS are a rare breed, combining thoughtful songwriting and lyrics to make incredibly enticing music. Murmurs of a new record have been heard lately, so for our sake, let's hope they are true.

Listen to Red In Tooth and Claw on the band's Bandcamp page.