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TESSERACT
"Altered State"
(Century Media; 2013)
Reviewed by Jeff Rogers
Tesseract are a British progressive metal band. This is
their second disc and their first with a new female lead, Ashe O'Hara. The
vocals on "Altered State" are clean as opposed to the band's first disc where
there was a mix between screams and clean vocals. Progressive metal from across
the pond should not be compared to bands such as Dream Theater or their ilk
because their sound is more ambient but it's still progressive metal. It just
flows differently and it has a more laid back sound.
There are some funky new sounds as well on "Altered State." There is a saxophone
that sounds just about as good as I've heard in a long time and plenty of other
instruments that make this progressive metal band one to perk up about. The
vocals are beautifully sung and they soar above the music. A female lead in a
progressive metal band might sound odd but over there it's not a boys club and
open to all who have the passion. The music has a hard edge to it when a song
builds up from a few notes. This is a solid disc to listen to when you need to
restore your faith in great music.
Tesseract: Ashe O'Hara – vocals; Acle Kahney – guitar; James Monteith – guitar;
Amos Williams – bass; Jay Postones – drums; Chris Barretto – saxophone in "Of
Reality - Calabi-Yau" and "Of Energy - Embers".
For more information -
http://www.tesseractband.co.uk.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2013 by R. Scott Bolton. All
rights reserved.
Revised:
12 Aug 2024 14:33:58 -0400
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