Band : Unearthly Trance

Album Title : Electrocution

Label : Relapse

Distributor : Bertus

Release Date : 14/03/2008

Review : CD

Long Island, New York's Unearthly Trance came into existence at the dawn of the new millennium and features vocalist/guitarist Ryan Lipynsky , bassist Jay Newman and drummer Darren Verni After hearing UT's original demo tape SonicBurialHymns Southern Lord Recording's Greg Anderson quickly released the debut 7" ep Lord Humanless Awakens for the 7" of Doom series. Within a year, Unearthly Trance put themselves on the map and into the subconscious of the underground metal scene. UT released their third full-length and Relapse Records debut, The Trident on 2006. This trio performed a handful of live shows in support of The Trident throughout 2006 and 2007, including a month-long European tour just prior to beginning work on a new album. In the later half of 2007, the band called up Sanford Parker once again to record their next full-length release, Electrocution at his Volume Recording Studios in Chicago , IL .

Unearthly Trance combine ultra heavy doom and raw thrash metal with a touch of apocalyptic tribal Neurosis that coalesces into a satisfying brand of mayhem. From start to finish, the overall atmosphere and feel of the album is there: dark, angry and electrifying. The production on Electrocution by Sanford Parker is dense and overwhelming, and I mean that in a good way, but still leaves room to breathe.

“Chaos star” is insanity applied to music, the results are staggering. It echoes the battle cadence of Celtic Frost's best work “The dust will never settle” and “Burn you insane” are crushing cool tracks that have Venom/ Amebix /High On Fire -like overtones .. The salient “Diseased” is over-flowing with intensity .. The monstrous dirge of “God is a beast” is worthy of a chill down the spine.

If you are new to the Unearthly Trance underworld, this is possibly the best album to start with your explorations.

87/100

Cosmicmasseur.