The Dutch metal promise Textures has released it's third album, entitled Silhouettes. The band organised two release parties in Holland, of which I attended the one in Rotterdam. Curious as I was after seeing them perform the new songs for the first time at Paaspop, I wondered how the new material would sound in a venue. Let’s find out.

 

Opening band Mindscan was a local I had seen once before. The band plays a style of melodic metal with vocals coming from three directions. Namely the drummer and both guitarists, all three participate in clean vocals and screams. It is worth mentioning that they feature a female guitarist and a female bassist. The band had improved (especially in tightness) since the last time I saw them, but I think they’re still far from reaching any real heights. This is mainly cause by the horrible clean (male) vocals. Overall the songs are far from interesting so I was kind of glad when their show was over. Keep working guys!

 

Up next was Bossk, of which I had high expectations since I knew they were in our country recently with Cult Of Luna as well. This is also the style of music the band plays. Heavy postcore compiled of slow riffs, bashing drum beats and about ten minutes of harshly screamed vocals in their fifty minute set. As they started their show, my body trembled due to the fuzzy bass and the overall down-tuned lowness of the guitars. I think that after fifteen minutes a vocalist appeared on stage, when I already gave up hope of them having one. This guy threw some mighty roars into the mix of sheer heaviness, lifting the band to even higher levels. A highly enjoyable performance, I will definitely keep an eye out for this band.

 

Earlier this day I already visited an in-store Textures show at Sounds Rotterdam in support of Silhouettes, where they played four tracks in support of this new album. Tonight the real party kicked in. In front of swirling mosh-pits and a screaming crowd the band threw new tracks like ‘Old Days Born Anew’, ‘The Sun’s Architect’, ‘State Of Disobedience’ and ‘Storm Warning’ out of the speakers, while also old tracks like ‘Stream Of Consciousness’, ‘Swandive’ and ‘Regenesis’ passed by. The sound was excellent tonight, quite loud and very clear so everything the band played could be followed very easily. The band was clearly enjoying the evening to the fullest, just like the biggest portion of the crowd. Now I’m curious where this album will bring them the next coming months, because it can not be denied that a world-class band performed here tonight. An excellent evening with an excellent band indeed.