Scene-setters Three Trapped Tigers put in a bold performance at the Lexington in north London to a wildly enthusiastic audience. Widely tipped in the electronic music scene as one of the hottest bands in 2009, Three Trapped Tigers proved they have a unique voice and a lot to offer.

If you were to imagine early 1970s prog-rockers King Crimson dragged through the 1990s jungle dance scene and showered off with some Aphex Twin and Squarepusher you would get close to the sound of this spirited trio. Their method of delivery was elemental. Vigorous alt. pop-rock beats from drummer Adam Betts were pierced by both counter-rhythmic soprano-level electronic drill effects and yet higher pitched digital laser tones. This bedding was soaked through with warping electronic drones and mesmerising faux-naive casio-keyboard melodies by Tom Rogerson. The rhythms and melodies were simple and effective, but conversely managed to create a captivating web of sound.

Yet you couldn’t help but feel that sometimes this structured delivery was the trap in which the three were caught as you willed them to break free of this comfort zone. And indeed those passages in which they found themselves edging beyond these confines, towards more psychedelic landscapes, were excellent. Such moments of meditative sustain found pulsating electronic beats swarming around luscious harmonies by Rogerson and guitarist Matt Calvert. Synthesised bass lines pound out at half-tempo providing the space for a seemingly semi-conscious primal release of echoed folk-ish chants from Rogerson, the cumulative effect of which bordered on the paranormal. Caught in the trap-winds of such wild abandon Betts upped the ante with dominant electronically distorted beats and evidently propelled Calvert towards early-1970s McLaughlin-esque melodic and harmonic extensions. This is a band with a distinctive sound and the capacity to thrill. 2010 beckons.

- Joseph Kassman-Tod

For more go to www.myspace.com/threetrappedtigers