Unsane, Big Business @ Sleazy’s, 5/7/12

Tonight sees a masterclass in the heavyweight purveyors of all things noisy heralded by Seattle’s Big Business and New York City’s Unsane.

Both have been scene mainstays for the past decade or two respectively, and tonight neither band pull any punches from an increasingly intense night of heavy music.

This is perhaps a good time for Big Business, with the recent relative success of their peers Baroness, Torche and Kylesa, the Seattle band are due some credit for their early role in what some may (perhaps derogatorily) call ‘girlfriend metal’.

Tonight, a three-piece (there never seems to be a consistent number with them) the band are in fine form as they rattle through tracks from their new EP Quadruple Single.

Clearly there’s no sign of their cult status letting up tonight, as the audience are in excellent reception of old fan favourites like ‘Grounds for Divorce’.

Going even further back, even more bands owe debts to Unsane, which go largely unnoticed.

They have been a mainstay of the New York hardcore scene for years but have only found so much in terms of wide success.

This shows no sign of a problem tonight though, as the trio absolutely rip through their set, featuring songs from across their career including from the recent accomplished record Wreck such as ‘Rat’ and ‘Decay’.

Equally, they have no problem revisiting songs from across their 20 year plus career, including perhaps best known banger ‘Scrape’.

The entire night then is suitably heavy and greeted to much burst ear-drums met with smiles at sold out Sleazy’s.

An excellent case of destruction (mostly of hearing, but some necks too).

Words: Adam Turner-Heffer
Photos: Amandine Eap