A couple of weeks ago I met up with an old metal buddy of mine and we got the chance to catch up on what each other had been listening to recently. After going on a full out rant on how certain bands that used to be amazing absolutely bore the shit out of me now *cough* Soilwork, Zero Hour, Iced Earth *cough*, he mentioned how he was really into this relatively new band Textures and their latest release Silhouettes. Knowing that we have similar tastes in music and that he wouldn't promote it if it wasn't seriously good, I had to check it out... prepare to be brutalized, this is your new obsession.

Right from the beginning this album is just begging to kick your ass, and it does with some really poignant moments. Silhouettes is a cross between melodic death and progressive metal with some really great thrashy metalcore moments thrown in. Honestly, it's a very hard sound to classify since the band is so versatile. Either way, the band has really matured on this album compared to earlier releases. Hearing all of them for the first time I could really see the way they've evolved over the years and the current sound is definitely their best.

While there are many intense moments over the course of the album, I have to say the final track To Erase a Lifetime is by far my favorite track. It begins with a very progressive and melodic moment that is completely reminiscent of Tool, especially when the bass and drums kick in, and then builds and builds until it just explodes all over your face.

I'm not going to break down the history of the band, or give a ridiculously detailed analysis of the album, but sufficed to say, it is definitely worth checking out and I'm expecting to hear some more great things from these guys as times go on.