Textures - 2026 - Genotype

(45:45; Kscope)

Dutch djent-inspired prog metallers Textures are back with their sixth album, only 10 years on from ‘Phenotype’, their last release. I am positive that Textures are a very different proposition indeed when heard in the studio as opposed to when they are playing live, as while the intricacies and complexity are readily apparent, there is a huge swathe of production and commerciality placed over this to make it more palatable to a wider audience. Given that the line-up is the same as the last one I can only assume there were some difficulties in getting this written/recorded, but Daniël de Jongh (vocals), Bart Hennephof (guitars), Joe Tal (guitars), Remko Tielemans (bass), Uri Dijk (keyboards) and Stef Broks (drums) have released something which is full of promise which is then sadly diluted. Even Charlotte Wessels (Delain) who guests on one track doesn’t make a significant difference.

They have taken inspiration from the 90’s, and while understand what they are attempting to achieve the lack of space and the way the different instruments have been compressed into each other means there is little in the way of individuality. When they downtune and move into deathcore there is no doubt they mean business, but it is always coming to us through multiple layers of polish which means the impact is lost. The result is something which longtime fans will undoubtedly dote on and be grateful the band are back with a new album and touring to promote it, but for me this is an opportunity lost. 

Kev Rowland, June 2026

Links:
https://www.texturesband.com/
https://kscopemusic.com/