TEXTURES Keyboardist Quits

Keyboard player Richard Rietdijk has left Dutch progressive metallers TEXTURES to pursue other interests. He explains in a statement, "After ten awesome years playing synths in the band, I've decided to leave TEXTURES. There are other projects (music and other) I've been wanting to do for a while now and currently the time and effort it takes to be in the band is in the way of me achieving those.

"I want to thank all you fans for your continued support and making this journey as awesome as it has been. I got the rare opportunity to travel and meet the most awesome people from all over the world and appreciate the sustained contacts online. I hope all of you will continue supporting this hardworking band. They earn every bit of it. Their next album will blow your socks off, believe me!

"To the guys (including the crew) I'd like to say it's been an absolute honor and a privilege to have been in this band, seeing and helping it grow from this small local band to the phenomenon it is now. It will take a while to get used to not doing this with you guys anymore, and I'll cherish the friendship we have forever. I wish you guys well in all your future endeavours. You're going to be just fine.

"This decade has been one hell of a ride! THANK YOU!

"For people wanting to keep up with my projects either follow me on my Twitter or on my homepage at Richardrietdijk.com."

The band had the following comment on Rietdijk's departure: "After ten very great years, it is sadly finally so...our synths and samples maestro is leaving... We will miss Richard a lot, especially his laugh and his awesome humor.

"After Eric [Kalsbeek, vocals] left a few months ago, of course we began to think more about our future times...and everything we do along the way. Things change....all the time! For everyone.

"We know Richard will have a great time doing the other things he really loves, but meanwhile our tour-bus is going to keep hitting the road...we are unstoppable!!!!!

"So TEXTURES will live on of course, we are in the middle of writing a new album...and at the same time we are keeping our eyes open for a new keyboard player! So keep 'em coming folks!! The band is contemplating how to fill Richard's place within TEXTURES."

In other news, TEXTURES has announced its first appearances with the band's new frontman Daniel de Jongh (ex-CILICE). The group will perform at the Fortarock festival in Nijmegen, the Netherlands on July 3 of and Sikelian Hell in Palermo, Italy on July 24.

TEXTURES' 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".