TEXTURES // Unleashing the ‘Phenotype’ Stream

Thanks to Nuclear Blast Entertainment, stream Dutch heavy prog-metallers Textures new ‘un, Phenotype here– our album of the week!

Their first album, Polars, released in 2003 was described as “the best metal album that’s come out of the Netherlands.” I bet that hurt Arjen Lucassen in his Ayreons. Of the persuasion that music ought not be “fast food,” these prog-metallers have earned their rightful place in the metal sphere. They’ve made a point in venturing to places metal doesn’t often touch – India. Indian fans clamour for them as much as rockers and radio stations in the US and even Australia (triple j) do.

Phenotype is part of a sprawling two-disc concept, with the other 45-minute single track album Genotype set for release next year.

READ OUR TEXTURES – PHENOTYPE REVIEW HERE!

 

INTERVIEW EXCERPT – READ THE WHOLE STORY IN HYSTERIA #39, FREE ON THE APP STORE & GOOGLE PLAY!

There’s an easy explanation as to why Textures fifth album Phenotype is so musically diverse, says keyboardist Uri Dijk. The Dutch sextet shared the writing love equally when it came to forging the new tracks. The progressive rock/metalcore outfit’s recipe means gluing together a multitude of influences, genres and styles, not to mention keeping every member happy when it comes to the final product.

“… Everyone wrote for this album. Not even on their own instrument, so yeah, parts came from everywhere. The previous album, Daniel and I only joined when the album was already 50-70 per cent done and this time we got to start from scratch with all the members.”

That’s why it has taken Textures more than two years write and record albums five and six. Phenotype is to be released this February, followed by its conceptually themed cousin Genotype. It was tough for Dijk to enter the band as a new recruit, let alone join midway through the recording/writing process of the outfit’s previous album. However, with Phenotype, the slate was clean. Textures don’t rush the writing process, and they never will. That’s clear in the band’s statement: “Music is not fast food.”

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Phenotype is out now via Nuclear Blast Entertainment.