The American trio Unearhtly Trance really took me by surprise with their debut album "Season Of Seance, Science Of Silence" from 2003. Their second effort "In The Red" didn't do much for me, but when I heard their new record "The Trident" I was once again sold. I got in touch with Ryan Lipynsky who handles the vocals and guitars, and most of the song and lyric writing as well and got a good talk about the band and their music.

Hi there, how are things in New York as we speak?

Not bad but the fucking traffic here is horrific. We just drove back 7 hours from Buffalo and then had to sit in 2 hours in traffic in NYC alone. So yeah it's a great place but it has its negative aspects.

How about the metal scene over there, is it good and what bands should we be looking out for, besides Unearthly Trance and Thralldom of course?

The metal scene in NY is very trendy. People only go to the "hip" and "cool" shows. Other bands worth a mention are Villains (my evil thrash band), Gospel, Khanate, Xom, Miracle of Birth and very few others. To tell you the truth I try to avoid "the scene".

If you would start off by introducing yourself, together with how you ended up on the path of metal will be great!

Darren (drummer) and I grew up together. In fact, we first started playing in bands together when he was only 11. He was pretty good back then believe it or not. We have always been writing original metal songs together our whole lives. So when UT's original drummer Pete quit on us, Darren was the perfect solution. I have always had a certain style of writing and feel like I always geared myself as a writer more than a show-off guitarist. Darren and I instinctively play together. In my mind there could be no better drummer.

A small introduction of the rest of Unearthly Trance will be killer as well!

Jay and I started the band together in 2000. We had very similar musical tastes and were both itching to start a super heavy doom/sludge/black/noise/whatever band. Jay and I grew up in the underground. We identify with the more punk ethic of "diy" and the no bullshit approach. We play loud and we play like we fucking mean it. This is organic and uncompromising metal. None of that fucking rock star-emo-thrash-miser-poser-flavor of the month false fucking commodity bullshit that is being sold to you by your vacuum tubes.

You are now ready with your new and third album "The Trident", how do you feel about the album?

Very satisfied. My only regret is that there is only one guitar solo on it. Next time...

The album does also mark your first album for Relapse Records, what do you expect of the cooperation with Relapse?

Promotion and professionalism. Relapse has already exceeded my expectations and is a highly supportive label. I expect to keep writing and recording heavy and psychonautical sound. I hope they support us as much as they have so far in the future. Beyond that, we shall do what we will.

What do you expect of "The Trident" in general?

I don't expect a damn thing. I do hope people who like heavy shit respond to our musick now that is so readily available. If the album does not do amazing I could care less. I am pleased and only look forward.

How would you describe the progression Unearthly Trance has been through on the 3 albums? They have their roots in the same, though have different expressions in my ears.

The first record "SOS SOS" was the progression of our earlier demos. Originally, we had a drummer who wasn't into the super slow long songs so when we got Darren in the band, we really wanted to explore the desolate realms of doom. After that, on "In The Red" we really wanted to throw a lot more personality and push our "intoxicated" sound to the forefront. We also wanted to pick up the pace and that idea continued onto the new record "The Trident". With the new record we really focused on "songwriting" and dynamics. The goal was a more varied record and to surprise people with new material. The last thing I would ever want to be called is predictable.

What are you telling and expressing with the band and the music?

We are expressing occult ideas intertwined with the sabbathain idea of massive riff-heavy metal. This music is a force and we are the fire behind it.

Where is the inspiration for the music found?

It could be found anywhere and everywhere. It could be from the television broadcasting propaganda, people in everyday life, obscured truths, ancient symbols, sex, drugs, books, sleeping, the ocean, the subliminal universe...

Do you have to be in a certain mood when writing music for Unearthly Trance?

I usually write in spurts. For example I currently have a lot of new music brewing in my head. I usually deprive myself from writing for a while so that when I go for it again (usually at home), the ideas are practically jumping out of me.

Is the music a reflection of your state of mind in the periods the music has been written?

Absolutely. Every record usually contains one specific song that really reflects my mood of that time period. 'The Aftermath Was Morbid' off "Season Of Séance, Science Of Silence" really told the story of someone who was abandoned and betrayed by a woman after a 3-year relationship. Of course it's a story of my own life. As are most of my songs in one way or another. 'Possession In Poverty' off "In The Red" reflected my intoxicated life inside getting evicted from my home and losing my mind. On the new record I think 'Decrepitude' really displays my personality in the lyrics more than ever. If you meet me you might find me talking about those same ideas and words in that song. I am stronger than ever but I am even more pissed.

How do you in the band work when you write and arrange the music?

I just bring in riffs and ideas and we work them out with Darren. Jay usually helps with arranging and adding ideas about approach and sonic assaults. Sometimes we jam out a whole song all together but usually I always bring one "idea" to the table and we go from there.

Which lyrical themes have you touched on "The Trident" and how important are the lyrics compared to the music?

"The Trident" touches on literally everything. Every single line has some sort of importance or even hidden meaning. For me to sit here and explain what the themes would be cheating the listener from forming his or her own opinions. Most stuff is blaringly obvious while other lines are only for me.

Who is the man behind the lyrics?

I'd say its 90% me and 10% Darren. He actually wrote most of the first song off "The Trident" – 'Permanent Ice'. Unfortunately I fucked up in the credits and I'd like everyone to know that, hahaha

Where is the inspiration for the lyrics found?

Usually always late at night smoking some pot. I like to take all these thoughts and just brainstorm writing non-stop. I usually take a few days and go back to them and reflect upon what I wrote. The best lines usually make up a song that we might be currently working on. The inspiration for the words is the same as the sounds.

Do you have a message with the lyrics?

No message just personal expression.

The album title "The Trident" what does that cover, does the album, as the third arm on the trident of albums from you, completing the trident or?

"The Trident" is our logo. We are an unholy trinity of heathens from New York ha-ha.. Sorry I get this question too much.

You are very welcome to pick out your 3 favorite tracks from "The Trident" and tell us a bit about the lyrics, how the idea for the music originated, what you feel when you listen to the music and so forth!

'Wake Up And Smell The Corpses'. It's just a brutal blackened fuck you kind of song. The lyrics are some of my favorite I've done and the songs destroy live. It's the fastest song we have done yet and it feels completely natural for us.

'Decrepitude' because it is a song where I mostly "sing" and it's taken me while a while to develop and have confidence with a bit more melody. I think that song is a UT classic already.

'Permanent Ice'. I really like this song because it displays UT's "forward thinking" approach with songwriting and we progress a lot with each record. That song is quite catchy and short. Not the norm for previous UT listeners. The song is a great mix of black metal, crusty punk and noise rock. Three important ingredients for UT in two thousand and SIX.

When you look back at your 2 previous albums "Season Of Séance, Science Of Silence" and "In The Red", do you still think they offer what they were meant to offer, what do they express in your own opinion and if you had to pick 2 tracks from each album that displays what Unearthly Trance is all about, which tracks would you chose and why?

"SOS,SOS" - 'Mass Of The Phoenix' basically because it is pure ritual. It is a song that we will always play live and there is a massive amount of occult power behind the song.

'When Anti-Humanity Flourishes' - We recently have been playing this song again and it sounds better than ever. It's a real fast riff-fest. Fits in nicely with the newer faster songs off "the trident". This song shows that even though in the past we played song like a snail would travel, we always had a penchant for fast blasts of intensity.

"In the Red" - 'In The Red' - This song is epic for UT. A song we always play live and have NEVER played the ending the same way twice. Total jam that is an ongoing developing beast. The song sums up everything about that time period for me personally and I think it’s a great song that we will always play.

'Pentagrams' - This song represents the doom of UT infused with a new sense of tone and dynamics. The song is deep tuned and twists and turns like a snake ready to attack. Still a favorite of mine and I think in time, people will begin to understand this record even more as we travel further down our path.

How did you end up with the band name Unearthly Trance and what does it symbolize?

Intoxication without commandments. It symbolizes the feeling when I first heard the minor chord. The allure of darkness and the unknown journey into the black hole of spirituality. The magnetic cult of exterior vision.

How do you look upon the future of the band and what can we the fans expect of you?

To be completely cliché... EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED!

Will you share your 5 all time favourite albums with the readers of Nocturnal Horde?

FUCK! that is hard..

Melvins - Houdini Or Lysol
Kiss - Alive! or the first one
EYEHATEGOD - Take As Needed For Pain
Celtic Frost - Morbid Tales
Metallica - Kill 'Em All

These are just a few I know I like...I am sure I'm missing the obvious!

Thanks a ton for answering my questions, if you have anything to add, feel free to add it now!

Thanks for the interview.

"Got no love from above, but it's happening to me. I can't turn back now…" -Pentagram

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