Brit proggers TesseracT have never been ones to be even remotely stagnant with their sound, always looking for opportunity to expand and develop. Alongside their three album catalogue which has seen their sound shift Djent maestros to an even more explorative brand of hook based prog, they have also been known for rich experimentation on their EP releases. From Concealing Fate (Century Media) which would become the centerpiece to their full début to the mostly acoustic Perspective (Century Media); their EPs have been a chance to add to their quivers and have proven curious additions.
Releases as a separate EP release and as part of the Polaris (KScope) special edition; Errai (eOne/KScope) sees an even further expansion on the Polaris’ sound which saw the band embrace a sense of ambiance complete with their sense groove. Where this differs from previous output is in the greater contribution from the band’s “5th member”; sound engineer Aidan O’Brien who proved an instrumental part in Polaris’ shift.
Consisting of four re-imaginations of Polaris’ more delicate elements; including the recent single ‘Survival’, replete with a greater sense of atmosphere and minimizing of down-tuned guitar work. Emphasizing Daniel Tompkins’ phenomenal vocals, these reworks are forged around his vocal melodies rather than just stripped down versions; and in particular with ‘Survival’ really enhances the song’s poignancy and emotional weight. Elsewhere the likes of ‘Tourniquet’ with its electronic instrumentation serve to not usurp its counterpart but to add a different outlook.
With plenty of further ideas in its ranks, Errai is a very rewarding and recommended release which, as mentioned, does not seek to override its song’s original formats, but to give an alternate perspective on, and therefore works well enough as a stand alone release. Polaris showed before that this band has very few limits with their sound and what they can achieve; Errai is confirmation of that.
7.0/10
CHRIS TIPPELL
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