NYC's kings of throbbing dirge rock return after a two year hiatus. With UNSANE, you know what to expect in just about every track. An eyebrow-raising riff gets things going, before shifting slightly to an off-kilter pattern and then back again. Spencer bellows and laments odes to wrist-slashing. Wash, rinse, repeat.

Andrew Schneider's Hydra Head-ish production is a little tough to take this time if you enjoyed the everything-cranked-to-11 style of 2005's "Blood Run", tracks like "Latch" slicing through your soft, vulnerable eardrums like a chopper blade. The truth is, Spencer's Telecaster abuse buzzed like a chainsaw on that record. This time, his trademark slide bits and weird leads sound more like an electric toothbrush. But hey, it's only production, right?

Despite these paltry complaints, "Visqueen" is a very solid record. It only takes a couple of listens before the songs hook together into a string of headbanging delight that demands repeat listens (the only exception being the unnecessary filler of "East Broadway"). The trio locks into an amazing groove a la SOUNDGARDEN during "Line on the Wall". Spencer's solo at the end of "This Stops at the River" may be his best to date, and the crazy geetar buzz in "Windshield" is down right irresistible, even if it does sound like an electric shaver. "Visqueen" may not be UNSANE's strongest disc ever, but it does warrant checking out.

- Marchman

OFFICIAL SITE: myspace.com/unsane

RELATED ITEMS: No related articles at this time.