Often touted as the one of, if not the most technical band on the planet, Meshuggah apply a genre bending touch to their music that is hard to describe. Do you call it math metal, experimental metal, technical post thrash metal, avant-garde metal? Whatever you call it, the band displays an enviable proficiency of their instruments in all aspects of the music that they play.

The off time signatures can seem unusual to the expected 4/4 beats that are usually imprinted in most punters consciousness. However, when the various parts eventually resolve in some unusual rhythm, the full masterfulness of their concept of music is revealed.

The gig was the third international metal act in Melbourne in the space of four days (Down and Carcass played on Sunday and Monday nights respectively) and it was great to see all the similar metal heads that had been at those two shows.

Following solid support from Aussie journeymen Alchemist, the main attraction took to the stage at the Palace (formerly known as the Metro) to a crowd that was going berserk in anticipation of hearing them play.

Touring on their most recent studio album ObZen, Meshuggah didn’t disappoint with several of the first few tracks coming from it including the jaw dropping Electric Red. This album could be described as another masterstroke in the band’s growing list of diverse musical offerings since their international breakthrough album Destroy Erase Improve.

Despite some sporadic sound quality issues (particularly with the drums at the start of the show), they played their way through those tracks and other offerings from other albums including Chaosphere and DEI. When the sound quality issues were sorted, it was great listening to the drums because they make this style of metal what it is. The resolution of so many unusual beats in a live set was quite mind blowing.

Arguably the highlight of the night was Future Breed Machine with its brutal guitars, drums and chaotic solos. Unfortunately this was the last track of the night and any hope of an encore was quickly snuffed out when the house lights came on as soon as they left the stage. This was a little disappointing given they only played for about an hour. For an international act that has never been to Australia, I would have thought that they would have played longer. Nonetheless it was great to finally see the math metal gods and hear their unique sound live. I just hope they play a bit longer next time.