Tyrants are a music writer's worst nightmare: They're impossible to pigeonhole. In the course of 30 seconds, the group schizophrenically oscillates between knuckle-dragging minimalism and brazen technicality. Their live show is like a DIY version of Cirque du Soleil—drummer Chris Lytsell annihilates a drum set consisting of only a snare and hi-hat, while bassist Ted Spas bounces around in an irrepressible bout of mania, as if he's channeling the ire and anxiety of an entire generation of misunderstood punks. MORGAN TROPER