Polaris is the record that Tesseract have been working toward. The evolved maturity of their writing, playing, and arranging is matched by the experience and confidence Tomkins gained while away.
Polaris is well-produced (even if the bass is dialed in several clicks too high), decently written, and properly executed for what it is. Critically speaking, however, it takes few musical risks and fails to launch any sort of vocal or instrumental melody, relegating it to a position as the sort of album you could take or leave in an artist's discography.
Another complex creation of one of the best progressive metal bands in modern music world. The first spins sounded like the album lacksAnother complex creation of one of the best progressive metal bands in modern music world. The first spins sounded like the album lacks catchiness, but after that it grew on me. Besides Dan Tompkins is back in the band and he's getting better and better. The music presented on Polaris relies more on atmosphere than on heaviness, though this turn of events was clear after the release of Altered State. Overall: a solid record, definitely one of the best albums of 2015.…Expand
A powerhouse of an album that falls just short of perfection. The band comes together in perfect harmony to explore the various sides ofA powerhouse of an album that falls just short of perfection. The band comes together in perfect harmony to explore the various sides of Tesseract we've come to expect, from the beautifully melodic 'Tourniquet' to the slamming djent riffing of 'Messenger'. Drummer Jay Postones and bassist Amos Williams come together to create a dynamic and truly formidable rhythmic backbone throughout the runtime of Polaris. Williams' bass often cuts through the lead guitars with absolutely massive grooves and riffs. Throughout the course of the album, the band tends to stay away from the heaviness of "One", only employing the screamed vocals of recently-rejoined vocalist Dan Tompkins once on 'Cages' (along with some half-audible background wails on other tracks throughout), but still use the polarity of huge leads and slamming rhythmic sections to great effect. As expected from any Tesseract release, there is a certain degree of experimentation across Polaris' 9 tracks, most notably on 'Utopia' when Tomkpins launches into a Mike Patton meets Anthony Kiedis rap over a pummeling instrumental section in a moment one can only assume will ignite live audiences into headbanging and swirling mosh pits. The great success of Tesseract's previous release, Altered State, was vocalist Ashe O'Hara's soaring vocals piercing through the thunderous rhythm section. This may be a bone of contention for fans of Polaris' predecessor listening to this album, as we only truly hear Tompkins open up the pipes on 'Seven Names' (one of Tesseract's best songs to date). There are too many notable moments to highlight in one review, so you'd be wise to pick up the album and give it a listen (or 10) yourself. An overall amazing album with perhaps a few shortcomings, depending on what you expect going into the album.
Polaris has a more refined sound than Altered State (AS) and is more mellow in turn than the predecessor, but it is a finely cut album and hasPolaris has a more refined sound than Altered State (AS) and is more mellow in turn than the predecessor, but it is a finely cut album and has some beautiful melodies and grooves to get lost within. The album has a less epic sound than AS and offers some riffs a bit too similar to that album also but the tracks have many new grooves (focusing a lot on the bass at times) that offer standout tracks. However, the album does not feel as fully realised as it could've possibly have been. Dan's vocals are stellar and offer the best Tesseract have seen so far, and the grooves are easy to indulge in but some songs feel like they should offer more or perhaps the album should offer more. The songs Survival, Tourniquet, Utopia and Cages are the songs i find best on the album, with Utopia possibly being one of my favourite Tesseract songs ever now. The song Phoenix is personally my least favourite, and seems almost as more of a filler sadly. Messenger isn't too much to rave about either I have found after continuous listens, but the groove is pretty sweet. A great album but lacking, partially due to the behemoth that was AS. Polaris delivers enough exciting new material to be a very good album, but not amazing. It is definitely worth a pick up.
8/10
Also, for some insight into where i put this with other albums:
Altered State - 10/10
One - 9/10
Polaris - 8/10
Perspective - 5.5/10…Expand
