The Voice SA: It's Time To Battle

Oh, hello.

It's my first time covering The Voice this season, and it feels cool to back. Justine will be back for the knockouts.

After a very long blind audition process, it's finally time for the battles. It's time to get down and dirty, time for the coaches to make some pretty silly decisions, and for viewers to get mad over it.

Isn't it great?

The episode wasn't that great, however. Sad face.

The battle of the night belonged to Team Karen's Armand and Sam. It was hair-raising show of rocking vocals, and yet it was also Karen's decision that left me a little befuddled and confused.

Let's see how it all went down.

Team Bobby:

Marco vs Anchen

Maroon 5's 'Sugar' was without a doubt chosen with Marco in mind. Marco's falsetto pairs fairly well with Adam Levine's, so it's a good pick for him. Anchen was always going to be the underdog. Marco delivered a strong vocal, whereas Anchen's voice didn't match up. It did not play to her strengths at all. Marco's falsetto brought it home. He could be a strong contender.

Kahn picked Anchen. No, Khan. Wrong.

Winner: Marco

Team Kahn:

Zee vs Monique

We know you love Fleetwood Mac, Kahn. This time it's 'Go Your Own Way' and after this battle one of them will. It's not a song I would have selected for either. Based on the package alone, Zee might pull this one off. Zee's voice definitely sparked more. Her lower register is powerful and it brought the rock qualities of the song to the fore. Monique, technically, has the bigger voice, but it felt like she was leaning on vocal gymnastics a tad too much. Zee is the recording star, Monique is the professional singer.

Winner: Zee

Team Lira:

Jacqueline vs Al

Coldplay's 'Speed of Sound' is certainly not a song I thought Lira would choose for them. It levels the playing field,

making it a battle without a favourite. Jacqueline looked like a fish out of water during the video package, whereas Al seemed to smooth into the song. The battle turned it around for me. Jacqueline's voice was distinctive and powerful, but Al had her moments too. The harmonies, however, were pretty bad. Kahn decides to steal the loser of the battle without even knowing who the loser was.

Winner: Jacqueline

Kahn gets Al then.

Team Karen:

The Massers vs Lindo

This is an odd pairing. And Emo Adams is there for some reason. Did Karen lose a bet? Lindo may have struggled with the preparation, but he certainly did not let it get to him. He held his own against the duo. That said, The Massers have such a strong sound that it's hard to let them go. They have beautiful voices that pair so well. I can see them garnering a big following should they make the lives.

But Karen chooses Lindo. Well, okay.

Team Lira:

Tender vs Michelle

Now this has all the makings of a good battle - big voices doing a big Queen B track. One would think that Tender's 4th place finish on Idols SA season 4 would have taught her how to work with others. Seems not. Michelle has a powerful voice, but I felt like Tender's voice brings more to the table. The light and shade in her voice showed more variety. She has more weaponry in her arsenal.

Winner: Tender

Team Karen:

Samantha vs Armand

What the bloody hell, Karen? How do you pair two of your strongest vocalists together? Karen didn't have a very logical episode, eh?

She picked a great song for their great voices, though. At this point I'm praying for a steal. And, as expected, both did a fantastic job. I'll give it to Armand, though. As Sam reached for those high notes it sounded like she was struggling, ending up more like a scream. Armand lived this performance - it came natural for him. He reached those notes without difficulty, but it was obvious Karen wanted Sam. It was a win-win situation either way for Karen, but the fact remains - she could have taken both to the live shows.

Winner: Sam

But Bobby steals Armand, and I'm a happy chap.

Well, that's it for the first episode of battles. What did you think? Disagree with any of the decisions? Let us know!