The word 'djent' is an onomatopoeia for a heavily palm-muted, distorted guitar chord. It was coined by Meshuggah guitarist Fredrik Thordendal, though generally made popular by Mansoor on the band's online forum and it was there that Kahney originally learned the technique. When Thordendal heard and commented on some of Kahney's riffs, it was all the encouragement he needed to forge ahead.
Embodying the international vibe of the genre, Frenchman Juilien Perier initially supplied vocals but the logistical difficulties meant that he could not join the band permanently. The line-up was completed by Jay Postones on Drums, James Monteith on Guitar and Amos Williams on Bass. Monteith and Williams brought along with them the vocalist of their previous band 209, Abisola Obasanya. TesseracT released a three-track demo with Obasanya on vocals. In 2009, the band parted ways with Obasanya and chose Dan Tompkins (SkyHarbor, In Colour, ex-First Signs of Frost, Piano) to take over vocal duties.
TesseracT's long-awaited debut album 'One' was released on September 12th 2011 with Tompkins on vocals.
On August 20th 2011, rumours began spreading that vocalist Daniel Tompkins had left the band, as TesseracT were seen performing with a different vocalist during a gig at the Crauford Arms in Milton Keynes. This was confirmed by the band on the 23rd, citing personal reasons for Daniel's departure. TesseracT introduced their new singer as Elliot Coleman (Zelliack, Of Man Not of Machine, ex-Sky Eats Airplane, ex-Of Legends). Daniel remains on good terms with his former band mates and stated that he enjoyed his time as TesseracT's vocalist. Elliot stated later that he would not move permanently to the UK and that joining TesseracT would not affect his other current projects.
TesseracT released one EP in with Coleman entitled 'Perspective' (released on May 22nd 2012, primarily featuring acoustic renditions of tracks from the band's debut album) before he too announced his departure from the band.
TesseracT announced in September 2012 that Coleman would be replaced by Ashe Austin O'Hara (Voices From the Fuselage, Nebulae). The band's second album 'Altered State' was released on May 27th 2013.
Vocalist Daniel Tompkins returned to the band in June 2014, replacing Austin on the band’s live album ‘Odyssey/Scala’. Following Tompkins’s return, TesseracT have released three full-length studio albums: Polaris in September 2015, Sonder in April 2018, and War of Being in September 2023.
Music
As stated in the band's official biography: "Fans will often focus on the quintet's time signatures and musical complexity, but TesseracT are far from an exclusionary exercise in tech/extreme prog metal pomposity. They fully embrace their experimental, prog sensibility without excessive indulgence or pretentiousness; delivering atmospheric, metallic songs that stir strong emotions and evoke powerful mental images. All of which, they argue, is at the core surprisingly simple".
2. Tesseract is a modern jazz quintet based out of Toronto, Canada. Alto Saxophonist Edwin Sheard, Tenor Saxophonist Leland Whitty, Guitarist Patrick O’Reilly, Bassist Julian Anderson-Bowes, and Drummer Derek Gray began playing together while studying at Humber College. They have continued this collaboration and can be seen regularly performing at venues across Toronto. Tesseract's debut CD, "Impossible Images", was released on February 29, 2012.
3. Tesseract is a democratically run jazz ensemble, formed in 2011, featuring the composing and playing talents of bassist Chris Hyson, saxophonist Matt Anderson, pianist Sam Leak and drummer Chris Draper.
April
TesseracT Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Modern sundowns break me
I like to watch things burn down, soft and gently
I need to watch her abused 'til I'm satisfied
Never...never
See tonight through bloodshot eyes
I'll wait 'til you can see me here
Left so long alone
You mean nothing, nothing
No you mean nothing to me
Won't you feel bad while you're thrashing out?
Makes me feel sick to know she's had enough
Time and time again
You see tonight through bloodshot eyes
You mean nothing, nothing
No you mean nothing at all
I'll never say a word of this I swear, I swear
Never...never
I hope you know
I live tonight through methadone highs
This life is over
The lyrics to TesseracT's song April depict the twisted thoughts of a person who is consumed by their lust for possession and their desire to watch someone else suffer. The singer seems to revel in the destruction and abuse they witness, finding satisfaction in the pain of others. They express a sense of loneliness and isolation, feeling forsaken and undressed, as if exposed and vulnerable. The repeated refrain of "you mean nothing to me" emphasizes their dehumanizing attitude towards those around them, treating them as objects to be used for their own pleasure.
The lyrics also touch on themes of addiction and self-destructiveness, with references to methadone highs and the suggestion of ongoing destructive behavior ("Time and time again"). The repeated use of "never" underscores the singer's resolve to maintain their silence about their actions, suggesting a sense of shame or guilt.
Overall, these lyrics paint a haunting and unsettling picture of a person consumed by their darkest desires and unable to connect with others in a meaningful way.
Line by Line Meaning
A deep engrained lust for possession
I have an intense desire to possess things that I am intrigued with.
Modern sundowns break me
The modern world's sunsets make me feel sorrowful and distraught.
I like to watch things burn down, soft and gently
I derive pleasure from seeing things slowly and gently destruct.
I need to watch her abused 'til I'm satisfied
I have a need to see her suffer until I have satisfied myself, and it gives me a sense of pleasure.
Never...never
I will never do or say what I have described above.
See tonight through bloodshot eyes
I am seeing everything through tired eyes that lack sleep and/or are intoxicated.
I'll wait 'til you can see me here
I'll wait until you notice me here, and then I'll act.
Left so long alone
I have been neglected and forsaken for a long time.
Undressed tonight, forsaken skin
I am naked tonight, abandoned by the person who once loved me, and now I am just an empty shell.
You mean nothing, nothing
You are nothing to me, and you have no worth or importance in my life.
No you mean nothing to me
I am emphasizing that you hold no value to me and never will.
Won't you feel bad while you're thrashing out?
Do you not feel remorse for the wrongs you have done, while you are in the act of self-improvement?
Makes me feel sick to know she's had enough
I feel nauseous when I realize that she has had enough of me and wants to leave.
Time and time again
I've made these same mistakes repeatedly, and I haven't learned anything.
You see tonight through bloodshot eyes
You are likely perceiving everything through the lens of a drunk or someone lacking sleep.
You mean nothing, nothing
You are not important and hold no value in my life.
No you mean nothing at all
I want to emphasize that you hold no value to me, not even a little bit.
I'll never say a word of this I swear, I swear
I will never admit to or speak of the terrible things I have done.
I hope you know
I expect you to understand what I am implying without me having to say it.
I live tonight through methadone highs
I am living tonight through the euphoria that methadone provides me, in order to escape my troubles.
This life is over
I feel like my life has lost purpose or direction and that it may be ending soon.
Contributed by Layla T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@XtremeKillah101
oh cool tesseract did a cover of kmacs song
@Vall619
Tbh i prefer the original
@VioletAOP416
Yeah I mean kmac did a nice version but it’s not one of those times where you can act like he did better than the original. Dan’s just got the perfect interpretation of this song, especially with the grit he adds to his voice in the latter half.
@Vall619
@@VioletAOP416 yeah, you're right. But if it wasn't for his cover, i wouldn't know TesseracT, so i am happy he did it
@Lunablueeyes
Kmac brought me here
@aaroneye6591
Kmac4ever
@GreatEddieThe
Thanks Kmac for teaching us this beautiful song!
@kunalpai7118
Kmac brought me here
@lenincucas9204
can I be proud and disappointed at the same time?
@morreamanha
@@kunalpai7118 he brought me here too :)