Photos courtesy of Paul Salzman : https://www.instagram.com/hipaulfi/
Cornerstone Berkley, CA 05/24/2025
The Cornerstone was packed to capacity Saturday night for the kickoff of TesseracT’s 2025 North American tour, with support from opening act Daedric. A staple venue in the Bay Area metal scene, The Cornerstone consistently delivers—offering a wide selection of drinks and food at the bar, and an outdoor seating area that’s a lifesaver for catching your breath between sets.
By showtime, the venue was about half full, with a growing crowd eager for Daedric to strike the first note and unleash the night’s chaos. Daedric is a relatively new band fronted by Kristyn Hope, drawing inspiration from the themes and aesthetics of The Elder Scrolls video game series. They’re touring in support of their debut full-length album Mortal (2023).
The show opened with the masked members of Daedric taking the stage first, assuming their positions in a dramatic entrance. Then came Kristyn—looking every bit the Dark Angel—stepping forward with a commanding presence. From the opening track, “Alchemy,” the band’s style was on full display: a seamless blend of alternative hard rock, metal, and electronic elements. The guitarist, bassist, and especially the drummer were all tightly in sync and on point. The future looks bright for Daedric, and with more material on the horizon, I can easily see them fitting into larger festivals and venues in the near future.
By the time TesseracT was ready to take the stage, the venue had filled significantly. There was a tangible buzz in the air. This was my first time seeing this band, so I wasn’t sure what to expect in terms of crowd energy and participation—but I was about to find out.
TesseracT, a British progressive metal band from Buckinghamshire, England, formed in 2003. Fresh off a tour with prog-rock legend Devin Townsend, they’re now headlining a seven-stop tour with an expansive catalog to draw from. They launched their set with “Natural Disaster,” a prog-metal love letter that laid the foundation for the night. Polyrhythms, djent grooves, and shifting time signatures, paired with the powerful vocals of frontman Daniel Tompkins, immediately sent the crowd into a frenzy.
By the third song, “Of Mind – Nocturne,” the room’s energy was at a fever pitch. Bassist Amos Williams pushed it even further with his thunderous, percussive bass lines, while lead guitarist Acle Kahney and rhythm guitarist James Monteith kept perfect pace alongside powerhouse drummer Jay Postones. If this track proved anything, it’s that TesseracT came to throw down—tight, technical, and totally in control.
Midway through the set, being near the front of the stage turned into a bit of a liability—in the best way possible. The energy in the room was electric, and the band was feeding off it. When “War of Being” rang out, the mosh pit opened up to half the room, and the atmosphere was absolutely exhilarating. A lively crowd can elevate a performance, and the interaction between the band—especially Tompkins—and the audience added a memorable dynamic to the experience.
For their encore, TesseracT closed the night with “Concealing Fate, Part 1: Acceptance,” and I walked out feeling completely satisfied with how I had spent the past three hours. Both bands exceeded my expectations, and they complemented each other remarkably well. Their genre-blending styles made for a cohesive, well-curated lineup that delivered from start to finish.
Production quality throughout the night was excellent, especially during TesseracT’s set. If I had one critique, it would be that Daedric’s vocals could’ve been mixed a bit higher—just enough to give their growls more bite. Still, Cornerstone’s sound system delivered as always, and the staff were friendly and accommodating.
Part of the reason I started this site was to broaden my musical horizons. As we get older, our tastes tend to narrow, and we often stick with what we know. But tonight was a perfect reminder of why stepping outside your usual playlist is worth it. I’m already looking forward to seeing both bands again—hopefully on a bigger stage, with an even bigger crowd.
THE VERDICT:
Metal Forged 