TEXTURES Announces New Keyboardist

Dutch progressive metallers TEXTURES have announced the addition of keyboardist/samplist Uri Dijk to the group's ranks.

Commented the band: " This past summer Uri helped out by filling in on keyboards at [our] festival appearances. During the rehearsals and live shows, there was a strong personal and musical connection between Uri and the [TEXTURES] band members, which made [us] decide to ask Uri to join TEXTURES as a full member. Uri gladly accepted, which means TEXTURES is a six-piece again after a small period being without a keyboard player."

The group continued, "To see Richard [Rietdijk] leave shortly after the departure of Eric [Kalsbeek, vocals] was quite a blow for us. Richard was a part of the band from the beginning, so it would feel pretty weird to fit a new person in that role. But after Uri joined us to help us out for the live shows it felt really good to have a well skilled person on keys again. It was such a good experience with Uri that we couldn't see ourselves moving on without him.

"Uri is more than a well skilled synth-maestro and besides an amazing guy to be around.

"We are very glad that Uri accepted the position and we are working very hard to write new material."

Added Uri: "First of all I am honored to have been asked to join TEXTURES. This is an opportunity that doesn’t come along every day, and let's be honest, how could I refuse?

"Getting to know the guys in the past few weeks has shown me that the spirit of TEXTURES is as much alive as ever and that this is just an amazing group of friends who have worked very hard to bring mind-blowing music to the world.

"I feel privileged to be able to become a part of this and I am happy the band is now complete again. I hope I can bring as much atmosphere and musicality to the band and its music as Richard did."

Keyboard player Richard Rietdijk left TEXTURES in April to pursue other interests.

TEXTURES made its first appearance with vocalist Daniel de Jongh (exCILICE) at the Fortarock festival in Nijmegen, the Netherlands.

The band's follow-up to 2008's "Silhouettes" will not surface before early 2011 via Nuclear Blast Records.

The vinyl version of "Silhouettes" was released in November 2008 through Garden of Exile Records. The LP was limited to 500 copies and pressed on 180-gram vinyl. The artwork was printed on extra-thick cardboard gatefold jacket with golden foil print.

"Silhouettes" was released in North America on September 30, 2008 via Listenable/Koch.

The album entered the Dutch chart at position No. 100. This was the band's first chart showing ever.

"Silhouettes" was recorded at Split Second Sound with Jochem Jacobs in the producer's chair. Jacobs previously oversaw the recording process for TEXTURES' last CD, "Drawing Circles".