Artist: TesseracT
Title: Odyssey
Genre: Progressive Rock / Djent
Release Date: 18th May 2015
Label: Century Media
Album Review
Considering that the formula is clear: EPs, albums, best of and live recordings we cannot be surprised that TESSERACT’s ‘Odyssey’ is the last of the four and their first of a kind. It was recorded from last year’s ‘Altered State’ tour across Europe and Russia and offers a scan through their two albums. It comes out in many formats and a DVD, which, let me repeat my broken record here, is sadly not part of the review because hearing a concert is just not the same as seeing it. On the other hand why whinge? They’ve put some of them up on YouTube. The audio is named ‘Odyssey’ and the DVD ‘Scala’ (after the venue in London). After several singer-changes, some of them mightily moaned about, fans must be happy to see Daniel Tompkins re-joining the band (he’s been back with them since summer 2014). Personally Coleman was more my cup of tea, but I think the band is more set to attract the Metal crowd.
Being on the cusp of several trends, having a very unique sound, you may feel that you have to make your choice to ensnare a clear majority, I guess. The “strategy” includes too much head-banging when the sound doesn’t always warrant it; even the truly classical Metal outfits don’t overdo it, so it just shows me that they’re trying to prove themselves too much. Yes, I’ve taken on reviewing the few videos of YouTube with the last remark. This little niggle aside, one can all but admire the technical precision not only of the band but the way the recording lets it stand out - totally. The songs seem to be even more definitely shined up than their originals on the albums themselves. With a band whose sound is not just rooted in progressive side of Rock and Metal, but who is exploring the Math aka Djent path of it this is paramount to achieve so the applause on this score is more than well-deserved and having this recording is more than justified as it really complements the albums in a grand way.
There’s a third album in the makings and thus impatient fans can be momentarily satiated. What is left to say? Enjoy!
Tracklist
01. Singularity
02. Deception - Concealing Fate Part Two
03. The Impossible - Concealing Fate Part Three
04. Perfection/Epiphany - Concealing Fate Parts Four/Five
05. Origin - Concealing Fate Part Six
06. Of Matter – Proxy
07. Of Matter – Retrospect
08. Of Matter – Resist
09. April
10. Nocturne
11. Acceptance - Concealing Fate Part One
Line-up
Alec "Acle" Kahney - Guitar
Jay Postones - Drums
James Monteith - Guitar
Amos Williams - Bass, Backing Vocals
Daniel Tompkins – Vocals
Websites
www.tesseractband.co.uk
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 9
Sound: 10
Total: 9.5 / 10
