#74 - TesseracT - Of Mind - Nocturne
TesseracT's "Of Mind - Nocturne" atmospheric djent masterpiece - how Ashe O'Hara's ethereal vocals transformed the British progressive metal pioneers' most acclaimed album.
Story Behind "Of Mind - Nocturne"
The Miraculous Survival and Rebirth of a Band
"Of Mind - Nocturne" emerged from TesseracT's most turbulent period, when the British progressive metal pioneers nearly collapsed under the weight of constant lineup changes. After losing their third vocalist in rapid succession, the band was on the verge of dissolution when they discovered 22-year-old Ashe O'Hara from the progressive metal band Voices from the Fuselage. As bassist Amos Williams reflected, "It's amazing how much one person can change a band. Ashe is full of life and wit. You know, we're still TesseracT, but with a slightly more energetic and vibrant colour about us now."
The Concept Album About Change and Survival
The song became the emotional centerpiece of Altered State, a concept album divided into four movements representing different states of existence. "The concept behind 'Altered State' is very simple," the band explained. "It is about change, and how life is change. We have been through a very difficult period of time over the last few years. It is a miracle that the band has survived." "Of Mind - Nocturne" specifically explores the psychological aspects of transformation, with founder Acle Kahney noting that "mood, atmosphere, melody, and experiment are the main focus" rather than the aggressive djent elements that defined their earlier work.
"Of Mind - Nocturne" Recording and Production Details
Atmospheric Revolution Through Financial Constraints
Recorded primarily by guitarist Acle Kahney at his home studio with assistance from bassist Amos Williams, "Of Mind - Nocturne" was born from creative limitations that became artistic advantages. Financial and time constraints prevented the recording of live drums, forcing drummer Jay Postones to use digital percussion pads while Kahney programmed additional drum elements. This hybrid approach created the track's distinctive atmospheric depth, with layers of reverb and delay transforming the band's typically percussive djent sound into something more ethereal and spacious.
The Ashe O'Hara Vocal Revolution
O'Hara's vocal approach on "Of Mind - Nocturne" marked a dramatic departure from TesseracT's screaming-heavy past, showcasing what Williams described as "an instrument in his voice that can convey such powerful emotions." The recording process emphasized harmonic layering and atmospheric textures over traditional metal aggression, with O'Hara's soaring clean vocals serving as the primary emotional vehicle. Kahney's production maintained the band's complex polyrhythmic foundation while creating vast sonic spaces that allowed O'Hara's voice to float above the instrumental arrangements like a modern-day progressive rock anthem.
Notes About "Of Mind - Nocturne" by TesseracT
Release Date: May 27, 2013 (on Altered State)
Duration: 5:50
Genre: Djent / Progressive Metal
Album Position: Track #4 (part of "Of Mind" movement)
Chart Performance: Album debuted #94 Billboard 200, #4 Hard Rock Albums
Producer: Acle Kahney with Amos Williams
Label: Century Media Records
Critical Score: 85/100 Metacritic
TesseracT "Of Mind - Nocturne" Era Band Details
Album Details
Album: Altered State
Release Date: May 27, 2013
Label: Century Media Records
Producer: Acle Kahney (guitarist) with Amos Williams
Recording Location: Home studio setup due to budget constraints
Concept: Four-movement album about change and survival
Band Members/Personnel
Ashe O'Hara - Vocals (only full album with the band)
Acle Kahney - Guitar, Producer, Recording Engineer, Mastering
James Monteith - Rhythm Guitar
Amos Williams - Bass, Engineering, Producer
Jay Postones - Drums (digital percussion pads)
Christopher Barretto - Saxophone (guest on other tracks)
Album Production Notes
First full album featuring Ashe O'Hara after multiple vocalist changes
Recorded with programmed and hybrid drum setup due to financial constraints
Self-produced by band members rather than external producers
Album received universal critical acclaim with multiple perfect scores
Marked band's transition from aggressive djent to atmospheric progressive metal
Featured 51-minute continuous composition divided into thematic movements
Interesting Facts About "Of Mind - Nocturne"
The Track That Redefined Djent's Emotional Possibilities
"Of Mind - Nocturne" became a watershed moment for the djent movement, proving that the genre's complex rhythmic foundations could support deeply emotional, atmospheric compositions. The song's success helped TesseracT transcend their "Meshuggah-influenced" origins, with critics noting how they "practically removed themselves from the scene they helped to flourish." The track's emphasis on melody and atmosphere over technical brutality influenced countless progressive metal bands to explore more emotional territory within djent frameworks.
From Near-Dissolution to Critical Masterpiece
Despite TesseracT's chaotic lineup changes and near-breakup, "Of Mind - Nocturne" anchored an album that New Noise Magazine called "not only a masterpiece of progressive metal, but truly one of the greatest albums ever made, period." The song's placement as the fourth track perfectly positioned it as the emotional peak of the "Of Mind" movement, demonstrating how the band's survival instincts had transformed into artistic transcendence. When O'Hara left the band in 2014, many fans considered "Of Mind - Nocturne" his definitive performance, cementing its status as a djent classic that proved atmospheric beauty could coexist with mathematical complexity.