Unsane announce the extended reissue of 'Occupational Hazard' coming out February 6
The first-ever reissue of UNSANE’s Relapse Records debut includes the additional live-in-the-studio sessions recorded in AmRep studio in Minneapolis.
Release: February, 6.
Genres: Noise-rock, Post-hardcore.
FFO: Human Impact, Today Is The Day, Surgery.
Label: Lamb Unlimited
Tracklist:
1.Commited
2. This Plan
3. Over Me
4. Take In The Stray
5. Stop
6. Wait To Lose
7. Sick
8. Hazmat
9. Smells Like Rain
10. Lead
11. Humidifier
12. Scam
13. Understand
14. No Soul
AmRep sessions(bonus):
1. Commited
2. Over Me
3. Sick
4. Smells Like Rain
5. Lead
6. Understand
Occupational Hazard by Unsane returns in a newly remastered edition reviving a pivotal moment in the band’s history where abrasive, heavy sound collided with elements of punk, metal, and industrial music. Originally released in January 1998 through Relapse Records, the album’s reissue arrives on Friday, February 4, 2026 via the band’s own imprint label Lamb Unlimited, revisiting a defining chapter in the group’s evolution.
Sonically, the record is noted for its aggressively distorted guitars, driving basslines, and pounding drums – hallmarks of the band’s uncompromising noise rock style. In preparation for the album, the band first recorded a six-song demo session at AmRep Studios in Minneapolis, MN. Shortly after, Unsane relocated to Excello Studios in Brooklyn, NY, where they tracked the album with engineer Billy Anderson. Frontman Chris Spencer (guitar, vocals) recalls the period: “The writing process for Occupational Hazard was great. I think the one real defining factor to this very creatively rewarding period of time in our career was that we knew what we were doing in terms of songwriting, and we were able to take our time while constantly playing.”
Following the recording sessions, Occupational Hazard was mixed by legendary producer and Barkmarket guitarist David Sardy. Reflecting on the collaboration, Spencer adds: “I’ve always liked what he did with his own band and in the studio, and I thought that it would work well for what we were doing. Dave also had access to a really good studio in Midtown Manhattan, so we decided to take advantage of his great production work and that space. We had been offered a three-record deal with Relapse Records and figured that would be the best thing to do, considering we wanted to tour constantly.”
Shortly before the album’s original release, during a European press tour, Spencer was brutally attacked by street thugs in Vienna, Austria, and left for dead. He returned to touring after emergency surgery, though the incident significantly disrupted the album’s original touring cycle.
Now, more than two decades later, the entire album has been newly remastered by longtime Unsane collaborator and engineer Andrew Schneider. All formats will include an extra track, “No Soul,” originally released via Frank Kozik’s now-defunct, infamous Man’s Ruin label as a vinyl-only limited edition. Additionally, the band will release the original six-song demo session recorded at AmRep Studios in Minneapolis, MN. This previously unreleased material will be included in the digital download format and will also be made available for streaming and download.
Despite its cult status, the band had never performed Occupational Hazard in its entirety – until a newly announced, one-time-only special performance at the Roadburn Festival in April 2026. In addition to this exclusive appearance, Unsane will embark on a full EU/UK headline tour, running from March 13 to April 19, 2026. Pre-order the reissue from now on here. Order the tickets to the upcoming UK/EU dates here.
TOUR DATES INCLUDE:
13.03.2026 Hamburg, DE at Molotow
14.03.2026 Malmö, SE at Plan B
15.03.2026 Jonkoping, SE at Hush Hush Club
16.03.2026 Stockholm, SE at HUS7
17.03.2026 Oslo, NO at Vaterland
18.03.2026 Göteborg, SE. At Monument
19.03.2026 Aarhus, DK at Phono
20.03.2026 Hannover, DE at Cafe Glocksee
21.03.2026 Wroclaw, PL at Liverpool
22.03.2026 Warsaw, PL at Voodoo
24.03.2026 Plzen, CZ at Divadlo Pod Lampou
25.03.2026 Wien, AT at Arena
26.03.2026 Zagreb, HR at Mocvara
27.03.2026 Ljubljana, SI at Channel Zero
28.03.2026 Bologna, IT at Freakout
29.03.2026 Martigny, CH at Sunset Bar
31.03.2026 Strasbourg, FR at La Grenze
01.04.2026 Belfort, FR at La Poudriere
02.04.2026 Montpellier, FR at L’Antirouille
03.04.2026 Nantes, FR at Cold Crash
04.04.2026 Paris, FR at Petit Bain
07.04.2026 Bristol, UK at Exchange
08.04.2026 Oxford, Uk at The Bullingdon
09.04.2026 Leeds, UK at Brudenell Social Club
10.04.2026 Dublin, IE. At Lost Lane
11.04.2026 Glasgow, UK at Nice N Sleazy
12.04.2026 Preston, UK at The Continental
13.04.2026 London, UK at New Cross Inn
14.04.2026 Dunkerque, FR at Les 4Ecluses
15.04.2026 Brussels, BE at Magasin 4
16.04.2026 Tilburg, NL at Roadburn Festival
17.04.2026 Esslingen, DE at KOMMA
18.04.2026 Berlin, DE at Maschinenhaus
19.04.2026 Prague, CZ at Meet Factory
