Unsane

Unsane, the definitive East Coast noise-hardcore hybrid, incorporates Wild West elements into its recently released sixth record, Visqueen.

Chris Spencer, the lone remaining founding member in this two-decades-old power trio, uses twangy reverb on the album’s opening riff and plays a wicked harmonica solo during the sludge-blues number “This Stops at the River.” Taken alone, these sounds conjure images of cowboys singing next to a campfire, but within these songs they catalyze high-volume explosions, like stray sparks that convert tumbleweed into forest-razing flameballs.

Spencer’s slow, fuzzy leads are like half-speed surf-guitar melodies, and his shouted vocals sound stronger and clearer than they have in years.