Sophomore studio album from NYC noise rock trio Unsane. Total Destruction was recorded in early 1993 with celebrated No Wave (and “Rockit”) producer Martin Bisi, after the death of drummer and founding member Charlie Ondras from a heroin overdose (Ondras was replaced by Vincent Signorelli, veteran of Swans and Foetus). Total Destruction consists of 12 bursts of slow and noisy metal, infused with the raw energy of punk and the visceral vocal stylings of hardcore; like Swans but a little more rock & roll. Oddly enough, the band released their first few records on Matador, who have finally given in to a repress of the album after original copies started trading for upwards of $100. Includes “Body Bomb,” “Broke,” “Road Trip,” “Trench” and “Straight.”

• black vinyl pressing
• first time on vinyl since 1994
• digital download included
• music label: Matador Records 2018

reviewed by Ed 209 11/2018