Release Date: July 10th 2026. Record Label: Metal Blade Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl
The Hidden Hand - Tracklist
1 Archons
2 Moon Machine
3 Sea Of Glass
4 Blurry Creatures
5 Silence Between Mountains, Pt. 1
6 Silence Between Mountains, Pt. 2
7 Metanoia
8 Flim
9 Endlessly Connected
Lineup
Tom Fihe – bass guitar
Jeff Kalal – guitar
Cody Kelly – guitar
Mike Socrates – guitar
Zack Kelly – drums
Review
If These Trees Could Talk from Akron, OH, were on frequent rotation in my home with 'Red Forest' back in 2016 but then they fell off the radar. Don't know the reason why but with the exception of the single 'Trail of Whispering Giants' in 2024 the band released nothing in 10 years. Thankfully the long wait is over with the arrival of 'The Hidden Hand', and what an album it is!
'Archons' is a short mystical yet mesmerizing opener which sets the tone perfectly for the entire album. It blends elegantly into 'Moon Machine' where the intense guitars soars above the slowish but crushing rhythm section. Drops back as vivid transcendent images are created...only to pick up again. After a beautiful delicate start 'Sea Of Glass' leads into some intense shredding only to fall back again. Eventually the band goes wide open taking it away. 'Blurry Creatures' builds up gradually turning screws tighter until a beautiful mid-section appears. Mellow and trippy it moves the song to amazing heights.
'Silence Between Mountains, Pt 1' is sparse, elegant and dreamy as it leads into 'Silence Between Mountains, Pt 2'. It follows along with Part 1 but with a hint of darker undertones. This helps to project the majestic traits of mountains. If These Trees Could Talk comes on strong with the guitars initially on 'Metanoia'. Drops back only to build up in that captivating way this band does it. 'Flim' is light, airy, positive and almost sacral in its approach and it's a highly uplifting composition at that. 'Endlessly Connected' picks up where 'Flim' left off but is even more elaborate.
Few bands can handle instrumental music the way If These Trees Could Talk do. It requires a high level of musicianship as well as compositional skills to create that style of music which reels you in and holds you captivated throughout. And this Akron quintet are masters at it as 'The Hidden Hand' is evidence of. Very good, indeed!
Words by Håkan Nyman
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