Visqueen

Unsane | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 13, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Ipecac Recordings
• ASIN: B000MKYK40
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #54,402 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

Formed in a dilapidated downtown New York City of the late 1980s under the regime of tyrannical Ed Koch, one of New York City's least attractive mayors, Unsane's imposing presence and influence remain as diverse and expanding as the seldom dull or predictable crowds at their powerful live sets. Coming from the same pre-Quiznos East Village music scene which spawned many acts pigeonholed into what was called noise rock, UNSANE always separated itself by performing and producing sounds with an urgency and sincerity without peer even among strong contemporaries such as early Helmet, Cop Shoot Cop and Pussy Galore. The band's self-titled debut was released in 1991 and was known for its harsh music and gruesome cover art: a photo of a decapitated man on a New York City subway track, his body still wearing a Members Only jacket. Original drummer Charlie Ondras died of a heroin overdose in 1992, and was replaced by Vinny Signorelli (formerly of Foetus and NY icons Swans). In 1994 Shore departed from the band and was replaced by Dave Curran. The band toured heavily, and signed to Atlantic Records, who released Total Destruction in 1993 -- it was Unsane's only major-label release. Their third album, Scattered, Smothered & Covered, was issued by Amphetamine Reptile. The music video for the single "Scrape" was made for a mere $200, yet earned significant play on MTV. Not since Black Flag, has any band had such an arresting and consistent visual style: from Unsane's true gore album covers to their legendary wince inducing "Scrape" video clip - a watershed marriage of low-tech and high concept. They continued touring heavily (including a stint opening for metal icons Slayer), but did not release a new album until 1998's Occupational Hazard, issued by Relapse Records. Later in the same--seeming to fulfill the album's title--Spencer was attacked by four people while in Vienna, Austria. He ended up in hospital suffering internal bleeding and underwent major surgery. As a result of Spencer's injury, and touring over ten months of the year, the band decided to take a break in 2000. During the interim, Spencer moved to California where he formed a new band with Dave Curran called The Cutthroats 9, releasing one album on Man's Ruin Records. Curran also started a band called The J.J. Paradise Players Club and Signorelli opened a tattoo shop in Brooklyn. Unsane reformed in 2003 upon Spencer's return to New York, and released a greatest hits record, Lambhouse. The band got back to touring and soon after released Blood Run on Relapse records. They have recently completed their upcoming album Visqueen for IPECAC recordings, to be released March 13th 2007. Extensive touring will follow the release.

Product Description

NYC noise rock kingpins Unsane bombard the listener with punishing, abrasive music delivered with the subtlety of a head-on car crash. Visqueen administers immeasurable amounts of the band's unequalled combination of blood, guts and violence as vocalist/guitarist Chris Spencer's scraping guitar work and vocal angst is cemented by a pounding rhythm section and domineering air of volatile aggressiveness.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Like Wine, this band gets better with age!, March 13, 2007

By 

Alejandro Leon "A. Leon" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Visqueen (Audio CD)

Fans of great heavy music should be all over this right now. This band has released their strongest effort to date. Recording and production is absolutely amazing! The song writing is fine tuned, perfect, and heavy. I dont think any other band has the idea of what instruments should sound like better than Unsane. It's a shame this band isn't at the forefront of heavy music right now being that this album is absolutely impeccable. Then again, maybe them being the independent music scene's best kept secret could be a good thing....I mean do we want corporate morons ruining every single aspect of heavy music? This is the best band no one has heard. It's unfortunate for them but for those who discover this band, they'll see why they are such a diverse and special rock outfit.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE BEST UNSANE RECORD. BUY IT. SEE THEM LIVE., June 30, 2007

By 

neveraquestion "neveraquestion" (ATL, yo, ATL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Visqueen (Audio CD)

Blood run was good, but it appears to have been a just a warm up for VISQUEEN. I agree wholeheartedly with the last guy's review. Visqueen is Unsane's best produced/sounding record to date. It's solid all the way through, all the songs are catchy and memorable, and the grove is HEAVY througout the whole album. It's a HEADBANGER from start to finish. Dave Curran really steps up with his vocals this time too, his voice is like ACID. Unsane's got 2 really great singers and it SHOWS on this LP. I've been a good casual fan of Unsane for years, but this record's really brought me back to being more of a "hardcore" fan. Keep up the great work fellas. I cannot wait to hear more!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars absolutely brilliant... pure genius..., March 14, 2007

By 

Self Induced (Drexel Hill, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Visqueen (Audio CD)

its hard to believe Chris Spencer has been keeping Unsane going for just about 20 years now. they've put out some great slabs of bloody music over the past 2 decades, but I have to say, I think this one might be my favorite. the style of songs isn't that much different than 2005's Blood Run, but I think on Visqueen, the production is noticeably better. its louder, clearer, and more definted. also, the vocals have improved substantially. all summed up, I think this is overall a better bunch of songs and probably their strongest. HIGHLY recommended would be an understatement.