Live review · Montreal · Théâtre Beanfield

TesseracT Make Math Sound Like Weather at Théâtre Beanfield

On the War of Being world tour, the British progressive metal band brought one of the most precise live shows I have ever seen to a Montreal theatre, and saved the two-part “Concealing Fate” for the very end.

By Axel CalderonOctober 17, 2023Photos and video: Axel Calderon / TNR

A new record, played like a statement

TesseracT came to Montreal with War of Being, their fifth album, and they treated it like a statement rather than a promotion. A big part of the set came from the new record, which is a risk on any tour. For this band it felt natural: War of Being is built to be heard loud, in one room, with the low end in your chest.

They opened with “Natural Disaster”, and from the first bars it was clear how this was going to go. Daniel Tompkins goes from a clean whisper to a full scream inside a single phrase, and the band around him locks every odd time signature into something you can actually move to. Acle Kahney’s guitar, Amos Williams on bass and Jay Postones on drums sound like one instrument with twelve arms.

TesseracT at Théâtre Beanfield, from my spot on the floor

From Echoes to War of Being

The middle of the set moved through the catalogue: “Echoes”, “Of Mind – Nocturne”, “Dystopia”, “King”, then the title track “War of Being”, which sounded even bigger live than on the record. “Smile”, “The Arrow” and “Legion” kept the tension up, and “The Grey” and “Juno” brought the set back to the more melodic side of the band.

What stays with me is the control. Nothing in this music is simple, and still nothing sounded difficult. That is the hardest trick in progressive metal, and TesseracT pull it off every song.

“Nothing in this music is simple, and still nothing sounded difficult.”

Concealing Fate, the full circle

The encore was the gift for long-time fans: “Concealing Fate, Part 1: Acceptance” and “Concealing Fate, Part 2: Deception”, back to back. Those songs come from the band’s first EP, and closing a War of Being night with them connects the band they were with the band they are now. Thirteen songs, and not one wasted.

Sources: setlist.fm.