When I come to a metal record, there are a few instruments I expect to hear: shredding electric guitars, powerful bass, dominating drums, maybe some keyboard, maybe some flourishes of strings.

But what I absolutely do not expect is a saxophone. Especially not a saxophone that’s used as a lead instrument throughout most of the record and not just as a novelty. But Glasgow’s Ashenspire is full of surprises. And not just because of its jazz leanings.

If I were to choose one word to describe Hostile Architecture, it would be “mad.” If I were allowed two words, they would be “absolutely mad.” This record is chaotic like the ramblings of a lunatic. Furious metal riffs shift directions and time signatures like they’ve lost track of what they were talking about. Violins and saxophones wail above the din like night terrors. The post black metal atmosphere is occasionally interrupted by honest-to-God jazz sections (see: “Plattenbau Persephone Praxis”) that include electric pianos and hammered dulcimers.

In the center of the chaos is vocalist/drummer Alasdair Dunn, who delivers his lyrics like a doomsday street preacher gripped by apocalyptic visions. It’s hardly a scream, and it sounds far more unhinged than the shouting of bands like mewithoutYou or La Dispute. Something about his cadence reminds me of Tom Waits or Nick Cave, but it’s the sort of delivery I’d expect far more from a stage play. This is especially true when he does slip into melody, such as in the choral “How the Mighty Have Vision” or in the quieter middle section of “Tragic Heroin.”

I’m not entirely sure if I like it or not. But I’m pretty sure that Ashenspire doesn’t care. This is truly one of the most unique and self-assured records I’ve ever heard in my life. I have never heard anything quite like this, and it’s instilling all sorts of fight-or-flight responses in me. But one thing is for sure: despite the chaos one might perceive from its fearlessly vast sonic palette and whiplash-inducing changes, this record was carefully constructed. Every expectation-bucking burst of horns and manic yelp and shift in mood are laboriously predetermined.

The end result is one of the wildest rides an album has taken me on in a long time. It’s certainly not for everyone, but it’s one of the most fearless records I’ve ever heard in my life. If you want to take a chaotic trip, but this on and hold onto something.

Hostile Architecture is out July 15th through Aural Music.

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