Album Review // 2026-07-24
Tesseract
Altered State
Released: 2013-05-27
The band is a pioneer in the djent genre, also considered a progressive metal band. Honestly, neither of these genres are genres that I am an avid listener of, so my knowledge is low. This album came to me through a recommendation, and I went into it with an open mind, unsure what to expect.
The name of the band Tesseract refers to a 4-dimensional hypercube. The uniqueness, as humans living in 3D we can't directly perceive 4D. This is not anything I have ever thought of in my life. I don't think in math or shapes. I suppose maybe this perception is why they chose the name?
The album title, Altered State, immediately made me think of the record label with that name. But then moved to the more obvious. You change from your normal way of being, which alters your state. So you are moving towards a change. After reading about the term altered state. It often refers to altered states of consciousness. Though the song titles don't seem to be named after the most well-known ones, maybe they came up with their own progression of states of consciousness. It's funny, it makes me think of how I try to be a person who stays clear-minded and doesn't let my guard down. So thinking of altered states of consciousness makes me anxious.
This review took me a long time because I wanted to hear it lots. I wanted it to sink in and not just have a gut reaction.
Mood
There is a cathartic and cleansing nature to this music. Keeping in mind the events lately that have put me in a particularly melancholy mood. I envision slowly drowning in an almost graceful way, with water twisting around you. As it's happening, you are thinking of the moments of your life when you felt like you lost all power, such as you feel in this moment. It's one of those albums where the emotion is so thick that you know this is the theme before you read any lyrics. I really enjoyed the mood!
Artwork,
This is very plain, but it screws with my eyes. Makes me think of a microphone or a disco ball. Then it makes me think of a cell. I don't think it illustrates anything about this music to me.
Vocals
It sounds like this band has had a hard time solidifying a vocalist and has had many vocal changes. The vocalist for this album was pretty short-lived. Considering that the vocals are my least favourite part of this album. I am curious about some of the music made with a different vocalist. At times, it feels like a mixture of Michael Jackson (the pop star) , and another boy band. Once in a while, there is a more power metal or progressive moment. There is some evident passion in it. It is very yelly (my own made-up word), which I can only take so much of bands that yell.
Unfortunately, when I hear a vocal that is this delicate, it has to wow me for my brain to like it. This is based on my own personal taste. This guy can hit the notes and is good at the style, but not for me. I would go so far as to say that I don't understand how these vocals go with the music style.
Music
This style of music is done very well here! There seems to be a good use of space, with the progressive elements creating dynamics , and interest. The music moves around the vocals very well. They aren't disconnected from each other. The music makes the most sense to me with my draw to heavy styles.
The nature of this music needs to be timed perfectly. Intermediate-level work here. The repetitive solo sections, highlighted bass sections, and escalating synths are dramatic at times. Makes me think of the ups and downs in a theatrical production.
Some of the guitar tones remind me of the tones heard in tech metal.
Some songs like Of Reality- Palingenesis, I found quite annoying. Some elements felt repetitive. Sometimes the music escalated only to be followed by disappointment with the vocals. Actually, I think every song had some level of disappointment for me from a subjective standpoint.
Of Energy- Embers feels jazzy and relaxed, which I assume is partly due to a featured guest, Christopher Baretto. The instrumental track is also jazzy. While a song like Of Mind- Nocturne sounds more urgent and high energy.
I guess it is safe to say the music goes many places, but it catches me off guard, feeling like I am listening to 2 different bands at the same time, in a jolting way.
Lyrics
Of Matter- Proxy
Makes me think of being represented by someone else, as if they know you exactly. Maybe it's a misrepresentation. It gives you that sense of being controlled.
I'm a surrogate
I'm archetypal and itinerant
I'm your excuse to long
For a superior
I will undertake
I will overcome
Of Matter- Retrospect
Again, you get a sense that someone is committed to controlling someone else. Respect is one-sided.
Burning bridges as I cower beneath
Trying to salvage the debris
My devotion tied around your waist lest you fall
no one seems to sense the strain
No one seems to know
Of Matter- Resist
The person being controlled is trying to resist caring for their controller. Unfortunately, they are so co-dependent that their self-worth is based on the other person.
No! I tried to settle bets with my own soul
Bless my lips for the first time before you don't
Gripping to the last touch of your hand I grow to loathe
Hope that you remember just how far I'll go
I'll spend the rest of my life wishing I'm enough
Of Mind- Nocturne
A desire to break free and find a better way is what I see in these lyrics.
You can break through
Wake me up
Tell me it's gone
False hope sells lies I won't buy
We are still one
Let's attempt escape
Melancholia will feed
We'll admit defeat
The Vox Populi will cease
The air is thickening
We are drifting
Of Mind- Exile
There seems to be an important change that needs to be made, and it isn't an easy decision. There are so many conflicting thoughts.
What's the confliction between heart and mind?
How to bridge the void?
Fuse the two in kinship
To understand your prospects and vistas
And yet to see the love here too
It's more than I can do
Vows and pursuits which at best hollow
I remain torn in two
Of Reality- Eclipse
This seems to stay on the theme of surviving something and wanting a fresh start.
The dark won't cast shadow over me
I'm broken
You're broken
As the crescent grows
As the light returns
Can we face a new beginning?
Such a retrospective obsession
Of Reality- Palingenesis
A plea to make a change before it's too late. There are certainly times when our actions or inactions can change the course.
War won't suffice
Will not satisfy
Value your life?
Turn back now while there's time
Change your mind
Find a resolve of peaceful kind
We won't fight only to survive
My back
Your knife
That's the price you have laid upon your lives
Of Reality- Calabi Yau
instrumental
Of Energy- Singularity
This feels like trying to make sense of something and make it all work.
It all comes to life right before your eyes
And I wander through ideals
Reflecting all I know and how it falls into focus
It seems my progression lays behind this wall
So I plant a seed and lead erosion to the wall
And lead erosion to it all
And I'll be here
Looking for purpose in the sun
And I'll be ever here
Of Energy- Embers
The use of the term embers seems like a great choice here. The idea that everything has died down, like the embers of the fire. You are faced with what is left.
[feat. Christopher Barretto]
I think I've seen a million sights
And then I see that I'm still a child
How could I have been so blind to firmly believe there is no choice
I'm so aware that you are just as equally cauterized as I
Is this for me?
Another flame to tarnish my every chance
Wait inside the fire
Playlist Picks
I tried to pick a favourite song, but after many, many efforts, I think it is clear I don't have one.
