We are living in the era of the out-of-nowhere return, and it looks like Cannibal Ox is next in line. In 2001, the New York rap duo released The Cold Vein, an album of dense and evocative and haunted rap music, one that set the tone for much of the underground rap that followed in the next few years. El-P produced the entire album, and his harsh, skronky beats felt like a futuristic hellscape, the two rappers flickering across it like wraiths. In the years that followed, both Vast Aire and Vordul Mega attempted solo careers, with underwhelming results. For years, there have been rumors that they’re either beefing with each other or just about to get back together. And they have reunited, for a 2012 reunion show and for last year’s “Gotham” single. And now they’re finally back for real. They’ve just announced plans for Blade Of The Ronin, their first album in 14 years. “Gotham” producer Bill Cosmiq made all the beats, and the album features appearances from people like DOOM, Elzhi, and U-God. Here’s the tracklist:

TRACKLIST:
01 “Cipher Unknown (Intro)”
02 “Opposite Of Desolate” (Feat. Double A.B.)
03 “Psalm 82″
04 “The Power Cosmiq” (Feat. Kenyattah Black)
05 “Blade: The Art Of Ox” (Feat. Artifacts & U-God)
06 “Pressure of Survival (Skit)”
07 “Carnivorous” (Feat. Elzhi & Bill Cosmiq)
08 “Thunder In July” (Feat. Space, Swave Sevah & Elohem Star)
09 “Water”
10 “The Horizon (Interlude)”
11 “Harlem Knights”
12 “Sabertooth” (Feat. Irealz & Bill Cosmiq)
13 “Iron Rose” (Feat. DOOM)
14 “Solar System (Cosmos) (Skit)”
15 “The Fire Rises”
16 “Gotham (Ox City)”
17 “Unison (Skit)”
18 “Vision” (Feat. The Quantum)
19 “Salvation”

Blade Of The Ronin is out 3/3 on IGC Records/iHipHop Distribution.