Many a hessian shed manly tears in 2012 at the realization that Unearthly Trance were no more. Within 12 years they gave us five rock solid LPs and roughly 4,000 split releases. Not too shabby, right? But as it turned out the New York power trio still had fight and riffs in them. And now, less than two years since reuniting, Unearthly Trance are ready to drop Stalking the Ghost (Relapse).

On first impression, Stalking the Ghost isn’t as outright aggressive as 2010s V (also Relapse) but don’t confuse that as a sign of weakness. ‘Into the Spiral’ grooves its way out like the progeny of Helmet and Celtic Frost while also highlighting something that hardly, if ever gets any credit in the world of metal: drum tone. Bass, snare, and toms all boom without coming across as processed or overpowering. ‘Dream State Arsenal’ is a true showcase for skinsman Darren Verni who also brings dexterous cymbal work to complement the thunderous drums.

While being a heavy album on its own right, Stalking the Ghost ratchets it up to savage levels on ‘Famine’ and ‘Invisible Butchery’, the latter in particular taking a more minimalist and straight up mean sounding approach. Ryan Lipynski’s glass-gargling vocals and riffs drone on while the cymbals spray like a hailstorm, making it all sound like Mother Nature’s death march.  ‘The Great Cauldron’ immediately follows and seems like the stylistic marriage between the two halves of the album as it deals in planting and payoff. Initially there is room to breathe between the slabs of sound and suddenly total aural claustrophobia sets in.

‘In the Forests Keep’ closes out Stalking, and is the most restrained moment on the record.  Since it is all sparse acoustics and ambient noise, it would have certainly been stronger if it hadn’t trailed off for so long.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder? In the case of Unearthly Trance, yes. Yes it has.

7.0/10

 HANSEL LOPEZ