Tesseract is a prime example that rock and metal are far from dead. On the contrary, these genres are in constant motion, always evolving and taking new forms. Tesseract stands as one of the finest representatives of modern progressive metal, also known as djent. While they share few similarities with traditional progressive metal bands like Queensrÿche and Dream Theater, they push the boundaries of the genre by fusing old-school prog metal with elements of nu-metal, metalcore and post-metal.
by Dimitris Zacharopoulos
photos by Iro Kalligeri (@irokalligeriphotography)
Their recent visit to Greece was a major event that no metal fan in the country could afford to miss. Myth of Rock was present at the rendezvous at Gagarin on January 18, 2025, and is here to recount what happened on that marvelous night in Athens.
The first band to take the stage was The Omnific, a group consisting solely of drums and two bass guitars—yes, that can happen, and we witnessed it firsthand! Having secured our spot in the front rows of the full venue, we thoroughly enjoyed the performance by the three musicians, who played with smiles on their faces, inviting us into their unique musical realm. What they are doing is truly innovative and captures the interest of the audience—their blend of progressive and avant-garde rock/metal is truly captivating! They even incorporate elements of jazz and electronic music, adding further depth to their sound.
We all had a great time with The Omnific, and they successfully lifted our spirits! Yet, it was time for… …
… Novelists! The French band has already made a name for itself in modern metal circles, bringing melody, passion, and energy to the stage while delivering something truly compelling. I thoroughly enjoyed their songs and style, especially the vocal performance of their singer, Camille Contreras, who gave a fantastic and dynamic vocal delivery.
Their modern metal sound fuses elements of metalcore, djent, and traditional progressive metal, creating a fresh and innovative take on these genres. Contreras sang beautifully, seamlessly transitioning between clean and brutal vocals, making their performance an exhilarating experience.
After witnessing their live show, I will undoubtedly explore their discography, as their music showcased exceptional quality and authenticity. With the crowd now fully energized, we were more than ready to welcome the headliners
Tesseract is exceptional in the studio—and after experiencing their live show, I can say with certainty that they are absolutely phenomenal on stage! They took the stage with finesse, delivering their performance with brilliance and elegance. With an incredible sound and a deep focus on their music, Tesseract played flawlessly, leaving the audience in awe with their stunning compositions, most of which were drawn from “War of Being” and “Sonder”.
They exuded confidence, precision, and cohesion, bringing their music to life in a way that felt both powerful and effortlessly beautiful. The crowd was ecstatic to witness the overwhelming vocal performance of Daniel Tompkins—his face strikingly painted—along with the band’s breathtaking guitar work and their dense, intricate rhythm section.
Tesseract is not just a band; they are a top-tier progressive metal/djent act, and that night, they delivered a mesmerizing recital that left us utterly breathless. I always liked Tesseract, but now I can say that I love them! It’s all about high-level performance, true artistry, and the ability to convey deep emotion to their devoted fans.
We had an unforgettable time with a band that truly redefines the meaning of “progressive.” It was a heartfelt exhibition of modern prog metal, one that left a lasting and profound impact on all of us. More than just playing music and expressing themselves, Tesseract gained new fans that night in Athens—I know this for a fact, because I am one of them.
This night was truly apocalyptic, as we witnessed how progressive metal is played in the year 2025! While I remain a fan of old-school progressive rock and metal, Tesseract undoubtedly belongs to the future.
We realized this after their electrifying performance, which was an absolute blast. Now, every fan is eagerly looking forward to hearing the next new song from this extraordinary British band.
