Live Review: Tesseract - Project House, Leeds
15th February 2025
Support: The Omnific, Novelists
Words & Photos: Martin Hingley
With the venue already filling up, progressive metallers The Omnific receive a warm welcome and a loud cheer from the crowd as they step onto the stage. Drummer Jerome Lematua greets the audience, announcing that they’ve come all the way from Australia, while both bassists hype up the crowd from their platforms, ready to unleash their signature blend of drums and dual bass guitars.
Despite having no vocals in their music, they successfully captivate the audience with a well-crafted and dynamic performance. Having seen plenty of bands with a similar style, I know how easy it is for instrumental groups to fall into the trap of a static stage presence. However, The Omnific avoid this entirely, making full use of the space while staying tightly synchronised in their funk-infused bass playing. The use of backing tracks adds further depth to their sound, enhancing their set rather than overshadowing it. Though their style isn’t usually my go-to, their stage presence, technical ability, and even a mid-set dance party featuring Jeremy and the road crew make for a thoroughly enjoyable set.
Shrouded in smoke and bathed in moody blue lighting, Novelists take the stage next. The French outfit waste no time in delivering a mix of soaring melodies and crushing guitar riffs. They kick off with Lost Cause—its melodic intro setting the tone for a set that blends technical precision with metalcore intensity. Despite admitting she’s feeling under the weather, Camille Contreras’ vocals remain impressively strong, effortlessly switching between clean and heavier tones. The crowd, largely Tesseract fans, warm to them as their set progresses, and by the time they close with my favourite track, Turn It Up, the energy is at its peak. Thanking the audience for their support, they sign off with a reminder that they’ll be back in the UK for Download Festival in June.
With their recent announcement as headliners for this year’s ArcTanGent Festival, Tesseract take the stage determined to prove exactly why they deserve the slot. Having spent the past two decades honing their craft, the band know exactly how to deliver a show. From the moment they walk on, lead singer Daniel Tompkins commands the stage, effortlessly shifting between harsh and harmonic vocals. Backed by an incredibly tight performance from the rest of the band, the audience erupts into action, with waves of crowd surfers rolling over the barrier as the set opens with War of Being.
One thing that really stands out about this headline show is how well the band utilise lighting and sound to create an immersive experience. The production is incredibly rehearsed, with the lights pulsing in perfect sync with the bass and guitar riffs, adding an extra dimension and elevating the experience of the show.
Playing through a twelve-song set, the band are clearly in their element. The crowd matches their energy, at times singing so loudly they rival the band themselves. Even after years of relentless touring, they show no signs of fatigue—just genuine enjoyment in performing together. After a brief exit, they return for a final encore, closing the night with Acceptance – Concealing Fate Pt 1. Long-time fans belt out every word, bringing an incredible night to a close.
If tonight’s show is anything to go by, Tesseract’s ArcTanGent set in August will be unmissable. With their masterful stagecraft and undeniable musical prowess, they are cementing themselves as one of the must-see bands of 2025.
Photo credits: Martin Hingley
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