If These Trees Could Talk – The Hidden Hand
If These Trees Could Talk – The Hidden Hand
Metal Blade Records
Release date: 10.07.26
Review by Oli Gonzalez
8.5/10
2026 has already seem some stellar releases from the world of post rock this year! Hammock, Mono, Oh Hiroshima, and Plini are amongst acclaimed international giants who have been able to celebrate new music this year. Whereas the likes of Million Moons and Nordic Giants have got in on the action closer to home, today we’re heading to the USA for another genre heavyweight in the shape of If These Trees Could Talk (ITTCT). Many UK fans would have been introduced to the band as they made their debut on the island at Portals Festival in 2024. The year also saw new music from the band for the first time in over 8 years. Now, they’re adding a full length “The Hidden Hand” to their back catalogue, handled by the usual home of all things extreme Metal Blade Records.
To be truthful, ITTCT are one of those post rock acts who I just simply didn’t get. Though “The Hidden Hand” has more than won me over. This is my fourth listen of the record in 2 days as I write this and as the luscious melody of ‘Blurry Creatures’ rings in my ears. This is one of the highlights, built around a fairly simple yet instantly catchy melody that is modulated and stretched into multiple different forms, but in a way that feels fresh, organic; they definitely haven’t ran out of ideas early, and even throw in the choir chants to add an epic and dramatic feeling to the music!
‘Sea Of Glass’ is another highlight, especially with the muscular yet warm inviting guitar tones in the song’s chorus. The song is built around this focal point and crescendo, and for good reason, because it’s bloody addictive! ITTCT seems to excel in building tension and intrigue before unleashing this all in the form of huge cathartic and atmospheric bursts! You’ll find multiple examples throughout the album, especially on ‘Moon Machine’. Introspective, thought provoking, the song ebbs and flows with the dynamics constantly shifting. Post rock can get criticised for taking too long and not getting to the ‘good point’ quick enough. 8 minutes here passes faster than 8 minutes should! In fact, the whole album flew by, hence why I’ve listened to it multiple times now. The pacing is absolutely wonderful, offering some songs with the slower more ambient sections to allow the big hitting segments to properly breathe. Take ‘Silence between Mountains Pt.1’ for instance.
The shimmering delicate guitar passages that open proceedings are aesthetic pleasing in their own right, acting as anything but filler; rather forming a whole that exceeds the sum of its parts. A crucial cog in the larger machine, pick your analogy. Part 2 of this double header is another masterclass in providing relaxing and caressing melodies that are worth the ride on their own, but acting as the bridge to a truly spectacular euphoric conclusion!
Whilst there’ve been some scorching post rock albums this year, ITTCT more than hold their own! “The Hidden Hand” is a forceful statement and serious challenge to the top table of the genre. Hopefully it’s not another 8 years for new music, right?
TRACKLISTING:
01. Archons
02. Moon Machine
03. Sea of Glass
04. Blurry Creatures
05. Silence between Mountains Pt.1
06. Silence between Mountains Pt.2
07. Film
08. To Embrace This Curse
09. Endlessly Connected
LINKS:
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