THE ULEX "OLD GIANT" EP RELEASE

The Ulex is the solo project of Uri Dijk, Texture's synth guy! Today The Ulex will release his "Old Giant" EP for free download! Check out the EP teaser vid to get a taste. It's electronic progressive metal and this EP will feature some talented members of Skyharbor, Chimp Spanner, Trip Trigger, the man David Maxim Micic, and of course Textures.

Judging from the teaser vid, this will be a great, original collection of music. Pretty cool album art as well. Make sure to head over The Ulex's pages (Facebook and Bandcamp) sometime today and scoop up the "Old Giant" EP.

- Tyler Dermitt

Links: Facebook // Bandcamp

EUROBLAST FESTIVAL 2013 - THE LINE UP SO FAR

Cologne's Euroblast Festival doesn't need an introduction for many of you, so I'll put it this way... One of Europe's most mind-blowing metal festivals will unleash all of its energy on the crowd from the 11th til the 13th of October. It seems like this forthcoming ninth edition is going to be another blast!

In fact, the guys at the Euroblast Collective have announced a good portion of this year's line up and two of the headliners. Textures will be performing their only German show of 2013 here. The second headliner is Germany's very own The Ocean. The rest of the unveiled line up is stacked as well, making this an unmissable event. Euroblast 2013 will feature international names like Threat Signal, The Agonist, Twelve Foot Ninja, Arsis, Hacride, Benea Reach, Mnemic, Feared, Xerath, Lifeforms, Aliases, Humanity's Last Breath, Syqem, The Omega Experiment, Deathember, Der Weg Einer Freheit, Dawn Heist, Hord,  Overdown, Pomegranate Tiger, Tardive Dyskinesia, Cyclamen, Kartikeya, Heights, and Third Ear.

Last year's line up featured more than 40 bands. This year is currently at 28. So the only thing you need to do is stay tuned for the announcement of the third headliner / rest of the line up, coming very soon. If you live in Europe, you should definitely start thinking about buying tickets. This is the kind of event you don't want to miss!

- MATTIA

Links: Facebook // Official Website

TEXTURES - FREE MERCH CONTEST

This is your chance to win something from the Progressive Metal gods themselves! We have teamed up with our previous Artist of the Week Textures to give away a free t-shirt! Learn how to enter below for your chance to win.

ENTER TO WIN

1. Must like Textures
2. Must like The Circle Pit
3. Must share this post and tag both Textures and The Circle Pit

BONUS

1. Like the post for a second vote
2. Comment on the post for a third vote

This contest ends Thursday 5/23 at 9PM EST!
*We will contact the winner.

Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

NEW TEXTURES GUITARIST

Textures have officially found a new guitarist in to fill the gap left by Jochem Jacobs (read up on his departure right here). Joe Tal is receiving a generally positive response across the board. Should be interesting to hear what elements he brings among the Progressive Metal gods. What more do I need to say? Watch the video below for an official introduction and check out some good ol' Textures music below that.

Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

JOCHEM JACOBS LEAVES TEXTURES

Before you get totally bummed by the headline, read the statement from Jochem Jacobs. There is good news with the bad.

“I’ve been with TEXTURES from the very beginning and have had a lot of great adventures in the past 12 years, musically and socially! It was a dream come true, I was traveling across the world with my best friends and making music!!! What more could you want?!! Strange as it may sound, my priorities changed gradually during the years… Now the time has come for me to start doing other stuff. There are so many things in life that gives me goosebumps! I’m really busy producing great bands and other music at my studio and I want to focus more on that, I will keep on rocking!!!! Also, I will keep being involved with Textures and will continue producing future TEXTURES albums \m/”

This is probably the best possible outcome of Jochem Jacobs leaving the band. As much as it essentially sucks that they have lost a founding member, it could be much worse. Textures will most likely continue to sound like Textures and all is well amongst the musicians. No stupid drama here. The following is a statement issued from the band.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it has been a bit quiet around the TEXTURES camp lately. It is for a valid reason. After 12 years being a big part of the band, Jochem has decided to leave TEXTURES. It is sad to see him leave, but we respect his decision fully. Since the very start of TEXTURES, Jochem has helped the band get to where it is right now and his input will always be part of our music. It’s a big setback for the band, but we are fully determined to keep on making music. Therefore the search for a replacement guitarist has begun! More news about this coming soon! Bare with us guys! Remember that you, our fans, are the ones that make us want to move on at full-speed and create some more crazy music! \m/”

The future direction of this band is in question. But no matter where they go, Textures is sure to leave a trail of greatness. Stay tuned for more news from the Netherlands giant. While your waiting, jam the tracks below!

Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2011 - RECAP

In the weeks leading up to the end of 2012 and our top 10 list of the year, we're giving credit to the past couple years as well. 2011 was a landmark year for music, making this list the hardest to construct so far. Without further adieu, here are the top ten albums of 2011, no shits given about whiny elitist opinions. Also check out our top 10 of 2009 and 2010.

   1   
UNEVEN STRUCTURE - FEBRUUS

This album is too good for words. It is the definition of ethereal beauty with an intelligent, heavy groove laced throughout. Uneven Structure's full-length debut "Februus" is an hour and a half long masterpiece spanning across two discs. This French musical unit put 2 years of meticulous effort into constructing "Februus", making for one of the most surreal packages to ever bless human ears. Everything about this record is perfect. There's a vast amount of ground across the uneven soundscapes for ears and brains to explore. Every single track on this album is huge and awe-inspiring. "Februus" gets the award for 2011's album of the year.

  Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

   2   
TESSERACT - ONE

Tesseract's debut full-length "One" is easily one of the best records to drop in 2011. Actually almost the best. With genius level songwriting and the magical vocal work of Daniel Tompkins (now ex-Tesseract), this record excelled in every way. From the huge amounts of deep groove to the fascinating use of atmosphere within the music. All the tracks coalesce into a haunting, modern masterpiece. Ones such as "Lament", "Nascent", "April", "Eden", and the six phenomenal parts of "Concealing Fate" stand out especially. After giving this album a good listen it's hard to resist the urge to listen again... and again.

Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes 

   3   
TEXTURES - DUALISM

We we're lucky enough to be in the first crowd to ever see this band preform in the U.S. It was shortly before this record struck, but we got an early glimpse of the genius to come. "Dualism" is an absolutely brilliant addition to the archives of heavy music. With the addition of new vocalist Daniël de Jongh to the mix, the band really stepped up to create this work of art. Textures have already earned their place as Progressive Metal gods. This album backed up that position 110%. Huge tracks like "Arms of the Sea", "Singularity", "Reaching Home", and "Sketches from a Motionless Statue" are all reasons why this album is a modern metal classic.

  Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

   4   
EVER FORTHRIGHT - SELF TITLED

Yet another modern masterpiece comes from New York City's Ever Forthright. Their self-titled debut feels far ahead of it's time. It is a technical mind fuck with serious musicality to boot. There's a very unique, ambitious feel to this record with the inclusion of jazzy segments and mind bending, chaotic, shreddy composition. Chris Baretto (ex-Periphery) even whips out the sax at points when he's not singing / screaming his lungs out. This album has a very addictive quality to it. For example, "All Eyes on Earth", "The Little Albert Experiment", and "Screen Scenarios" will have you hooked. Add it all together and BOOM! You have a classic.

  Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

   5   
THE HUMAN ABSTRACT - DIGITAL VEIL

Neo-classical titans, The Human Abstract, came back stronger than ever with their third studio full-length, "Digital Veil". One of the biggest game changers with this record was the return of the classically trained, genius guitar virtuoso A.J. Minette. With his influence, this record took that classical influence and blended it with a very modern, technical sound, making for some insanely good music. "Digital Veil" is filled with aural pleasures and mind bending composition. "Complex Terms", "Digital Veil", "Horizon To Zenith", "Faust", and "Holographic Sight" are some great examples. All in all, "Digital Veil" is a must listen.

  Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

   6   
VILDHJARTA - Måsstaden

To start with... THALL. Needed to get that out of my system. Hailing from Sweden, Vildhjarta's full-length debut "Måsstaden" was one of the most evil, heaviest, strangest metal records ever conceived \m/ It is one helluva experience to say the least. Packing in coldly calculated musical segments with a deadly edge, the sensation of just being surrounded by this unnaturally heavy music is an experience within itself. Some highly recommended tracks include the lethal "Dagger", updated "Traces", heavy edged "All These Feelings", and eeevil "Benblåst". If you managed to miss out on "Måsstaden", you need to get some thall in your life... now.

  Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

   7   
FALLUJAH - THE HARVEST WOMBS

Californian Death Metal innovators Fallujah were a must for this list with their legendary record, "The Harvest Wombs". This extreme metal experience is easily one of the best to come out in 2011 with it's face smashing edge and impressive display of musical command. Fallujah has the ability to seamlessly transition from heavy as hell Death Metal segments into an explosion of utterly beautiful, inspiring music. There are several "holy shit!" moments on this one. A couple examples can be found in the tracks "Alpha Incipient", "Cerebral Hybridization", "The Flame Surreal", and "Assemblage of Wolves". Highly recommended \m/

  Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

   8   
ANIMALS AS LEADERS - WEIGHTLESS

After the godly Animals As Leaders debut, the band took a side step that almost no one expected in "Weightless". This album is an experimental tour de force which moved away from their original "djent" influence and brought out amazing results. It's hard to imagine this music was actually written by human beings as it offers a virtuosic detour into previously unexplored grounds of extreme technicality, fusion, and out of the box songwriting. "An Infinite Regression", "Odessa", "Do Not Go Gently", "Isolated Incidents", "Cylindrical Sea", and "Weightless" are just a few of the incredible experiences on this album.

  Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

   9   
PROTEST THE HERO - SCURRILOUS

Protest The Hero is a god damn insane band. The high level of talent here is hard to believe. And just like the massive "Fortress", "Scurrilous" delivers on so many fronts. From the seemingly constant shredding and next level musical command from the instrumental corps to the Dio-esque vocals and damn near limitless range of Rody Walker, this record is a mind shattering experience. Among many greats, some favorites include the shreddy "C'est La Vie", "Hair-Trigger", "Sex Tapes", and "Tongue Slipper" with it's hilarious outro (Speak! Ohhh yeeaaah). If you're jonesing for some shred heavy goods, Protest The Hero is sure to satisfy.

 Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

   10   
BORN OF OSIRIS - THE DISCOVERY

The third and longest full-length album from Born of Osiris may also be their best to date. "The Discovery" is a heavy, punishing listening experience filled with shreddy goods and acute technical flair. Not to mention it also has some awesome album artwork! The collision of minds between Lee McKinney, Cameron Losch, and Jason Richardson (ex-Born of Osiris) was a HUGE one. They displayed much growth in their songwriting and execution, cranking out greats such as the visualized perfection of "Recreate", hard hitting "Two Worlds of Design", directional "Follow The Signs", and massive closer "Behold". Follow the signs to The Discovery.

  Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

TEXTURES DENY GRAVITY... WITH A PLAY THROUGH

I love this band. We were in the first crowd to ever see them live in the United States at the Ottobar in Maryland. Good times! Textures is an elite musical unit from The Netherlands with heaps of talent and creativity. This makes for a winning combination as they build incredible music from the technical and heavy to the melodic. When Stef Brooks signature driving polyrhythmical grooves are intertwined with the complex guitar work of Bart Hennephof and Jochem Jacobs, along with the impressive vocal skills of newer addition Daniël de Jongh there's no telling what greatness to expect. Remko Tielemans and other new addition Uri Dijk hold things down on bass and keyboard like pros. I met Remko. Really cool guy.

Background aside, Textures have just come out with a great play through video of an older song "Denying Gravity" from the 2006 record "Drawing Circles". We have that along with a few music videos, including "Reaching Home" from the band's newest album "Dualism" with the current line-up. "Dualism" is easily one of my top albums from last year. Just plain huge is every way. You may get hooked. You've been warned.

Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

CYNIC / TEXTURES PROJECT - EXIVIOUS

Cynic and Textures are both incredible bands in their own right, although not the most similar. So I was caught off guard when I found out there was a project between members of Cynic and Textures called Exivious which has been around ever since 1997. This is seriously a great band. They have only released one record back in 2009. It was their self-titled debut album.

This is how one of members describes the sound of the band - "Fusion, jazz, rock, metal, those labels are rather obsolete in the case of Exivious. The music tells a story of its own with mesmerizing beauty and intense depth." That pretty much sums it up.

Fans have been waiting for new material for awhile now, and it looks like it may be on the horizon. Apparently the band has dropped their side project, "do it yourself" intentions, and plans to accept a record deal soon. They also have plans to embark on their first European tour very soon. These are great signs that the band is writing new material, although no official announcements have been made.

But the good news came with some bad news. Stef Broks, the incredibly talented/groovy drummer from Textures decided to leave Exivious behind. This is a huge loss as a drummer like Stef Brooks is incredibly hard to replace. The new drummer Yuma van Eekelen managed to impress the band quickly. Looking forward to hear what he does in the studio.

Stef made the following comment on the changes - "After some very exciting years of playing with these awesome musicians and dear friends, my time has come to say goodbye. Exivious is turning into a full time band and I simply can't find the time to be a part of it anymore. I'd like to pass on the torch to my good friend and colleague Yuma van Eekelen, who will replace me with style and strength!"

We have some Exivious for your ears right here, right now. I highly recommend this group for fans of experimental, jazzy, progressive music. Enjoy.

Links: Facebook // Official Website // iTunes