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.
Phoenix
TesseracT Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In TesseracT's song Phoenix, the lyrics express a sense of hope and renewal in the face of adversity. The opening lines state that the listener exists and is a friend of the singer. This creates a connection between the two, and the singer then affirms that the listener is alive despite any difficulties they may be facing. The question of whether humanity will ever learn underscores the harsh reality that generations have been abandoned and have to deal with a life that is never fair.
The lyric "When the mechanical fires are raging, the revolution's here" can be interpreted in many ways. It could be referencing societal issues or a personal struggle, but the idea is clear that when everything feels like it is falling apart, that is when change can happen. The singer then goes on to urge the listener to see things from different perspectives, whether that is through the sights of a rifle or the mind of a child. The line "immersed in the night desperate and taken" touches on a feeling of being lost and overwhelmed, but the singer encourages the listener to run with the pride of a lion and rise above the adversity.
In the end, the song resolves with a message of rebirth and revolution. The singer declares that they are reborn and enlightened, unafraid of the future. The repetition of the line "the revolution's here" reinforces the idea that change is possible, and that there is hope for a brighter future.
Line by Line Meaning
You exist And you're a friend of mine
The singer recognizes the existence of someone they know and acknowledges their friendship
You're alive; It's not the end of the line (Will we ever learn?)
Despite life's hardships, the singer encourages their friend to persevere, pondering if humanity will ever learn from its mistakes
Cynical; the generations were abandoned here
The singer is cynical about the current state of society, feeling that previous generations have left them behind
No life is ever fair
The artist laments the inevitability of life being unfair
When the mechanical fires are raging
Referencing industrialization and its negative effects on the environment and people's well-being
The revolution's here
A call to action for societal change in the face of injustice and inequality
I can breathe again
The singer feels a sense of relief and freedom
I choose to never let go Or lose control
The artist is determined to maintain their composure and not let life's struggles get the best of them
See through the sights of a rifle
Metaphorically viewing the world through a narrow, focused lens with a sense of purpose and determination
Live through the eyes of a child
Recalling a simpler, more innocent time in life and striving to regain that perspective
Wake through the mind of a minor
Mentally immersing oneself in a state of curiosity and wonder, similar to that of a child
To extol I must change
In order to promote positive change, the artist must first change themselves
Because I've been chasing shadows (Change)
The singer has been pursuing something that is elusive or impossible to grasp, and recognizes the need for a new approach to achieve their goals
Immersed in the night Desperate and taken (Change)
Feeling overwhelmed and powerless to change their circumstances, the singer acknowledges the need for change and a new outlook on life
Run with the pride of the lion
Summoning strength and courage to tackle life's challenges head-on
I'm a failure; I'm the wreckage in the storm
Expressing self-doubt and feeling overwhelmed by life's tumultuous nature
I'm enlightened; unafraid I am reborn
Finding a new sense of purpose and empowerment in the face of adversity
End
The conclusion of the song
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: AIDAN O'BRIEN, ALEC KAHNEY, AMOS WILLIAMS, DANIEL TOMPKINS, JAMES MONTEITH, JAMES POSTONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
D E B A
[Phoenix]
You exist and you're a friend of mine
Will we even live in harmony?
You're alive, it's not the end of the line
Will we learn?
Cynical; the generations were abandoned here
No life is ever fair
When the mechanical fires are raging
The revolution's here
I can breathe again
I choose to never let go, lose control
See through the sights of a rifle
Live through the eyes of a child
Walk through the mind of minor to extol
I must change because I've been chasing shadows
Change, immersed in the night
Desperate and taken
Change, run with the pride of a lion
You exist and you're a friend of mine
Will we even live in harmony
You're alive, it's not the end of the line
Will we learn?
I'm a failure
I'm the wreckage in the storm
I'm enlightened
Unafraid I am reborn
Cynical, the generations were abandoned here
No life is ever fair
When the mechanical fires are raging
The revolution's here
Witch Queen Of Angmar
You exist and you're a friend of mine
Will we even live in harmony?
You're alive, It's not the end of the line
Will we learn?
Cynical; the generations were abandoned here
No life is ever fair
When the mechanical fires are raging
The revolution's here
I can breathe again
I choose to never let go, lose control
See through the sights of a rifle
Live through the eyes of a child
Walk through the mind of minor to extol
I must change because I've been chasing shadows
Change, immersed in the night
Depressed and taken
Change, run with the pride of a lion
You exist and you're a friend of mine
Will we even live in harmony
You're alive, it's not the end of the line
Will we learn?
I'm a failure
I'm the wreckage in the storm
I'm enlightened
Unafraid I am reborn
Cynical, the generations were abandoned here
No life is ever fair
When the mechanical fires are raging
The revolution's here
jannanana
My friend who passed and I used to belt this so loud....this song has gotten me through SO much...thank you TesseracT. Just...thank you.
Matt Novak
May he rest in peace and always be remembered
Matt Novak
Sorry for your loss I'm sure it's hard.. Fuck yeah your friend had good taste
Will Skasick
@bananajanna you're welcome. Hang in there.
jannanana
@Will Skasick thank you 💕💕💕💕
Will Skasick
So sorry for your loss. Daniel is the man.
RTSRAZORBACK
I love how they sound so tight and identical to the record. All of them have some mega talent but Dan's vocals are so perfect when compared to the albums.
RTSRAZORBACK
Sadly, I wouldn't know :( I live in the UK as well but never seem to catch them touring the UK!
sinborn41214
Meticulous attention to every detail, and executed to inhuman perfection. Typical TesseracT
Chase Bates
When he started doing the ooooh yeahs and kept changing them I was like “he’s not gonna do the high one all the way is he?”
Simply because I already thought it was not possible but came here to see if he could really do that.
I’m sorry for doubting you, Daniel that shit blew me away.... 🤯