Textures: Phenotype

Tech-metal pioneers put the djent into genetics

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With so many djent-styled band saturating the scene it’s easy to forget that Textures were making groundbreaking tech-metal long before seven-string guitars were de rigeur.

They are achingly slow to release albums but their fifth release, one half of a conceptual two-parter to be completed by Genotype later in the year, is a sturdy reminder that these Dutch proggers are world class. Procuring a new guitarist in the shape of Joe Tal has done them some favours; the harmonies are life-affirming and emotive, the slower moments are bewitched by sublimely produced melodies and the dizzying solos by Tal take Phenotype out of the sterilised tech landscape into more commercial pastures.

A panic-inducing opener full of Daniël de Jongh’s roaring vocals drives the start of Phenotype into full speed, offering up the sort of synth-laden melodic aggression that you’d hear from Strapping Young Lad, while New Horizons is symptomatic of its name, a full-blown djent-fuelled, spiralling epic that commands the lugholes like a hyper-fuelled Skyharbor melted with Sikth.

If ever Textures got lost in the mire of heritage bands, this places them back on the map and makes them more vital than ever.

Holly Wright

With over 10 years’ experience writing for Metal Hammer and Prog, Holly has reviewed and interviewed a wealth of progressively-inclined noise mongers from around the world. A fearless voyager to the far sides of metal Holly loves nothing more than to check out London’s gig scene, from power to folk and a lot in between. When she’s not rocking out Holly enjoys being a mum to her daughter Violet and working as a high-flying marketer in the Big Smoke.