Textures, Malefice, Model 101 - Rocking Venlo
Model 101 is slowly becoming one of the most interesting new bands in Holland. Their unorthodox approach to their music earns them a well deserved spot opening for tonight’s Textures show. Now this Dutch outfit started out as somewhat of a Meshuggah clone. Developing their own style and sound, Textures’ constant hard work and gigging has earned respect and made them a well known name in the underground. It shows by the large number of people showing up at Perron 55. Supported by Malefice from the UK, it promises to be a great evening.
The show must go on has been a universal truth for eons. This evening Model 101 vocalist Remco is suffering from a light concussion. His normally energetic stage performance is reduced to mainly contributing his vocal parts. Still he manages to give away a good show. On top of that they perform tonight without their second guitarist Lukie. Due to lack of commitment they had to let her go. Most of their songs are written for 2 guitars, but since they couldn’t find a proper replacement in time, they had no choice but to go on stage with only Peter handling guitar duties. You have got to respect their attitude going on stage under those conditions. But then again tonight’s show is about presenting their new EP Cold Approach. And what a great presentation it is. Outstanding track being ‘Paralyzed’ also featured on their EP. Our own metalrage colleague Luuk is quite the madman on stage, constantly poking his instrument in Remco’s direction. And since he didn’t feel the audience was participating enough he simply jumped off stage with his bass in an attempt to start a moshpit. Convincing show and they sure got more people enthusiastic.
Malefice is a bit odd being sandwiched between bands like Textures and Model 101. They play more of your standard forward metal. They’re not bad at what they do, but it goes without saying that they're not exactly in sync with the rest of the line-up. Sure they make use of Meshuggah-like riffs and are reminiscent of Killswitch Engage. Still their music is quite predictable. Not a bad band, but they’re just not interesting enough yet.
Most people came out to see Textures and they got what they wanted. Not the hottest band in the land yet, but they are quickly gaining more and more credit in the underground scene. With a little luck and a lot more gigging they just might outgrow the scene. Their last album Silhouettes did made it to the Dutch album top 100. It was just for a short week, but it's definitely going the right way. And their stage presence has improved since the last time I saw them. Textures presents now a full blown and tight stage show. They sure have enough diversity and ingenuity to elevate themselves to a new level.