Screaming Trees was a band that epitomized much of the early ’90s alternative scene (or “grunge”, if you will). They ended before the 21st century kicked in, dealt with copious amounts of distortion and flannel, and were based in Washington State. Two decades later, they’ve been recognized as one of the scene’s staples — at least by us and their label, Sub Pop.

Later this summer, Mark Lanegan & Co. return . . . sort of. On August 2nd, Sunyata Music will issue Last Words: The Final Recordings, the group’s lost album that would have surfaced around 2000 had the band not broken up a couple years beforehand. The lost tracks were recorded in Pearl Jam guitarist Stone Gossard’s studio in the ’90s, mixed by Jack Endino in Seattle, and produced by Screaming Trees’ drummer Barrett Martin. Josh Homme, who was the band’s touring guitarist at the time (and longtime friend of Lanegan), is also featured on the record with R.E.M.’s guitarist Peter Buck.

For now, only digital copies will be available in August, but there are plans for pressing the album onto other formats, namely CDs and vinyl. However, there isn’t a future for the band outside of this release. Pitchfork reports the band stated that they will not be getting back together and have made Screaming Trees a concrete part of their past. Oh well!