Brown Town Reviews:
TesseracT // Polaris
Here we have it! ANOTHER Masterpiece with details as intricate as atoms.
Dystopia, first impressions?
They. Are. Pissed…but Daniel Tompkins always has a way of letting you know that everything is alright, shepherding you along each section.
The china in Dystopia(~Three minutes in) has a really large and huge feel with fast, crispy hits. What an omen for what will be another stunning TesseracT Album.
The lyrics reflect a strong figure that will not give in at first sound or glance.
A smooth and subtle transition into Hexes. The dual vocals featuring Martin Grech, are breathtaking.
This band really shows their abiding endurance to play smooth, atmospheric rock as well as metal.
Such kindred and tight snare hits, imagine the hours put into just the snare… /shudder
The extremely catchy lines “Don’t you dare, Don’t you dare
History hexes us”, Can be quite exquisitely plaguing your mind for awhile but the best cure is to listen to the next track, so let’s dive in again.
Survival, with it’s heavy electronic presence, I can’t help but think about that 90’s electronica/house was an influence helping this song piece itself in the ‘acts hands.
Daniel comes in with some powerful words, a reminder of ones mortality, as well as the earths frailness, the alarmist state we live in, day in & day out.
A calm and serene beat with the bass roaring, Amos Williams, with some of the smoothest hands in British progressive rock/metal, leads the arsenal.
Followed by a very clear and large Signature TesseracT tone, showcased within this songs chorus, with a some of the catchiest skin and metallic connections, through the very gifted Jay Postones, the king of limb independence and unison, does not let go of Percussionists attention alike once in this release.
All in all one of my personal favorites of the album.
After an uplifting experience like Survival, Tourniquet’s intro kicks in and is severely reminiscent of being among clouds floating freely, almost a very slow lullaby.
“Your Love is my Tourniquet” lines like that aren’t easily thrown out there, so an emotional feeling is certified and sealed from the get go, then things get groovy and the breakdown with the classic head bang is guaranteed, yet another mysterious huge atmosphere is created.
I am at a loss for words as to how describe just how bad ass Utopia is, so just listen, I won’t ruin a damn thing for you.
The sixth track, Pheonix has an incredible close and intimate, locale quality about itself, within all of us exists a part of one another, hence the chilling first lines
“You exist and you’re a friend of mine
will we ever live in harmony?
You’re alive; it’s not the end of the line
will we ever learn?”
Then the gravitational duck and weave begins and you are entranced by the ‘acts versatility, creating a soulful groove out of a firm, leisurely beat.
Messenger is another track that has left me without words (or google; it’s heavy), incredibly distorted and will knock your clothing off if played at the right volume.
A Resilient intro section of Cages, extremely fluent and abidingly another one of the slower songs in Polaris.
Highly fractional, and mathematical, one beat and flow conquers this songs persona, and after such gentle and kindness, the song kicks you in the butt.
An outstanding scream finishes the song with the vocal chord of Dan screaming
“Build Your Cages
Cage of Solitude”.
The last song, Seven Names, is a highly thought provoking song, the production value is soaring, and the work by Guitarists James Montieth and Acle Kahney (ex Fell-Silent, huge band playing the part for the heavier grooves in numerical metal today) is awe-inspiring as always.
To summarize, the Composition skills of talented Acle are expressed thoroughly through this band of wise minded musicians and humans with an eye for every beautiful detail, the writing process they would go through at 4D SOUNDS would be a dubious one.
Showcasing range and tempo, calming minimalism and nerve wracking intricacy through vocals & incredibly poetic nature, Dan’s vocals stay androgynous and rocky, with a few screams here and there, but a solid focus is on his clean work.
Another incredibly talented member of the team, Jay Postones has incredible patterns in his drumming style, meticulously planning all of his notes,
Pedal hat chops, compressed chinas & smooth and delicate fills, yet aggressive and stern downbeats and THAT SNARE.
James Monteith and Acle Kahney seem to be one giant entity when it comes to their guitar work, and some of the best slap, tap, thumb (/goes on Bill Cosby scat rant) and popping I’ve heard thanks to Amos Williams.
Top of the line release from these British Pioneers!
9.8 out of 10
