On their debut full-length entitled ONE, UK-based TESSERACT have crafted an intriguing collection of progressive metal that weaves their heavy playing between a thick layer of ambient noise – something that would be significantly impressive if it didn’t sound so damn familiar. Set for release on March 22 via Century Media, six of the eleven tracks present on the disc were already issued last year as the CONCEALING FATE EP, making ONE feel more like a reissue with bonus tracks than a fresh full-length.
With riffs taken straight from the MESHUGGAH playbook and vocals that recall COHEED AND CAMBRIA (hear it at 2:45 in “Acceptance”) and DEFTONES (“Nascent” at the 1:00 mark is a prime example) at times, TESSERACT doesn’t seem to make any attempt at hiding their influences, and that’s completely acceptable since they’re excellent musicians and solid songwriters. Unfortunately, this also makes their music sound dated at times.
The six-part “Concealing Fate” is wrapped within the new tracks, bookended with two on the front and three on the end – much like you’d expect to hear it fit within the confines of a live set. The bottom line is that with those new tracks not matching the quality of the prior six, TESSERACT have essentially turned an excellent EP into an average album.
Rating: 3.5/5
