Dutch progressive metal band TEXTURES are building significant momentum ahead of next week's release of "Genotype," their first new album in a decade, arriving January 23 via Kscope. The album serves as the conceptual counterpart to 2016's "Phenotype" but was written entirely from scratch rather than using leftover material, a decision that underscores the band's commitment to delivering a genuine creative statement rather than a nostalgic cash-in. The "Phenotype"/"Genotype" duality — terms borrowed from genetics referring to observable traits versus underlying genetic makeup — reflects the album's exploration of identity, perception, and the hidden forces that shape who we become.
Three singles have showcased a band reborn with fresh energy and ambition. "Closer to the Unknown" announced the comeback with a sprawling seven-minute epic, while "At The Edge of Winter," featuring guest vocals from Charlotte Wessels (ex-DELAIN, solo artist), offered a more accessible entry point with its soaring melodic passages and intricate rhythmic interplay. "Vanishing Twin" stripped things back to reveal the raw polyrhythmic intensity that first distinguished TEXTURES from their progressive metal peers in the mid-2000s. Mixed by Forrester Savell, known for his work with KARNIVOOL, the eight-track album promises a bold new chapter.
The band's decade-long absence, following their quiet dissolution around 2017, left a void in the European progressive metal scene that few acts have been able to fill. TEXTURES occupied a unique space alongside bands like MESHUGGAH, TESSERACT, and PERIPHERY, blending djent-adjacent polyrhythmic complexity with post-metal atmospherics and genuine emotional depth. The reunion has been met with overwhelming enthusiasm from fans and press alike, with pre-orders reportedly exceeding the total first-week sales of "Phenotype." A European tour is expected to be announced following the album release.