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tesseract perspective
Artist: Tesseract
Title: Perspective EP
Genre: Progressive Metal/ Djent/ Ambient/ Groove Metal
Release Date: 18th of May 2012
Label: Century Media


EP Review

TESSERACT is not only a four-dimensional hypercube but also a Prog Metal quintet from the Old Blighty. Needles to say, the band has the said geometrical regular octahedron as their “rep” image on their websites and other stuff that goes with bands (including the cover of this single). Which should give the non-initiated a clue that they’re affiliated with Math/ Tech Metal or also the incarnation of metal called Djent and to also symbolise that one of their objectives is to evoke powerful mental images. Let’s briefly touch on some of their history; they were founded in 2007, but conceived already in 2003 by Ackle Kahney. TESSERACT became soon completed by Postones on drums, Williams on bass and Monteith on guitar and Dan Tompkins as their vocalist (who replaced Juilien Perier). The releases came such as this – a single ‘Concealing Fate’ in 2010 and the full-length ‘One’ in 2011. This year we are treated to another EP, titled as ‘Perspective’, which apart from three acoustic songs, a cover of JEFF BUCKLEY’s ‘Dream Brother’ and full-on, reworked addition of ‘Eden 2.0’ features their new singer, Elliot Coleman.

It’s very obvious even before they lay into ‘Dream Brother’ why they chose to cover JEFF BUCKLEY, Coleman really does remind of him vocally within the acoustic set (which was taken from New York sessions performed in 2011). Otherwise you might think of Matthew Bellamy of MUSE and Bixler-Zavala of THE MARS VOLTA, however no clone of either.  I admit to being a great fan of both Tim and Jeff Buckleys so I had to behave well and not go straight for it. It was worth it as the three acoustic songs are truly beautiful, complex but not show-offish, that is to say organic musical creations that do truly evoke emotions as well as awaken one’s imagination. ‘Perfection’ is intense and somehow touches on your reserves of sadness, something more than that, that thing that is beyond words in that shade of feelings. ‘April’ comes as a pretty dreamy piece, though not in a fall asleep way but the day-dreaming reverie kind.  Though Coleman’s vocal is great and I think that he’s a fantastic choice for the band, somehow I wished it was just an instrumental – but that’s not a real criticism, just the way the music made me feel.

‘Original’ on the other hand got me entangled into and with the lyrics; the music is innovative and even refreshing. Now we come to the cover of ‘Dream Brother’, which absolutely can’t disappoint, it remains faithful to the original but gives their unique sheen. Holding out one’s own ground against JEFF BUCKLEY is no easy feat but Coleman accomplishes it with flair even if his voice is not far too dissimilar, and maybe that’s exactly the point. When you have a cult base of fans they more often than not prove to be a blessing and a curse simultaneously. Their ‘dictatorship’ will demand the band to sound as they used to, compare new members to the ones who departed and do so on in a nostalgic way that’s difficult for the new members – however talented and suitable for the band - as they can get overshadowed by this burden to prove themselves and overcome this pressure of prejudiced comparison. The re-recorded ‘Eden 2.0’ is smoother around the edges than the very original (with Tompkins on vocal); their work shows their more pronounced tendency & sense towards melody that distinguishes them from their co-genre colleagues. 

Damn it, this begs “the full house” on the ratings! As these songs were mostly taken from their previous album ‘One’, it makes one wonder what these guys will bring forth with their next creative output and I can’t wait to hear it!


Tracklist

01. Perfection (Acoustic)
02. April (Acoustic)
03. Origin (Acoustic)
04. Dream Brother
05. Eden 2.0


Line-up

Elliot Coleman – vocals
Acle Kahney – guitar
James Monteith – guitar
Amos Williams – bass & vocals
Jay Postones – drums


Websites

www.tesseractband.co.uk / www.facebook.com/tesseractband / www.myspace.com/tesseract


Cover Picture

tesseract perspective


Rating

Music: 10
Sound: 10
Total: 10 / 10




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