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John Stanier - Battles

John Stanier made his name as the powerhouse drummer for alt-metal band Helmet back in the early '90s, garnering widespread acclaim for his endurance and accuracy behind the kit.

But it's his more recent work with New York experimentalists Battles – and the necessary self-reinvention required to play with them – that earns him inclusion in this list.

The group's bonkers breed of juxtaposed rhythms and layered counterpoint means Battles can, at times, function as the band equivalent of the most advanced looper pedal in the world – and Stanier deserves praise just for being able to keep the whole lot in check. His trademark robotic grooves anchor Battles' sound, getting the music's countless 'bits' to blend and heave into a cohesive whole.

He's more than just the staple at the band's seams, though. Tracks such as Ddiamondd (above) see Stanier going over and above, scatting with and pushing the beat to create unfathomably off-centre grooves – and still keeping the loop machine going all the while.

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Recommended listening

Mirrored - Battles (Warp) Buy here: Amazon | HMV | Play
EP C/B EP - Battles (Warp) Buy here: Amazon | HMV | Play

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