There have been a few people out there raving about this new album Phenotype by Tilburg band, Textures. I had never heard of them before, but after playing through this slice of melodic progressive metal I can see why people are taking interest. A brief sample might lead some to drop Textures into the djent abyss, but I encourage you to give at least a few full songs a listen. While I do hear elements of groups like Periphery, there is much more happening here than just (impressive) guitar crunchery. Namely, some of these clean vocals sound like Lajon Witherspoon of Sevendust in his prime. There's something incredibly soulful to them that is a nice contrast to the mathy instrumentation. I have also seen Soilwork thrown out as another, perhaps reasonable, comparison. Regardless, this is a solid album that I have no doubt will turn up again later in the year. It's got enough mainstream appeal to draw a crowd (this is Nuclear Blast after all), but plenty heaviness and technicality to appease the cynics out there.