Music / Nightlife

Having defined the shoegaze genre with 1991’s landmark “Loveless,” My Bloody Valentine all but disappeared for two decades before finally breaking its silence this past February with “m b v.” While the existence of a new record from the Irish foursome is a surprise, the fact it’s excellent isn’t. The nine-song LP marries its predecessor’s astral guitarscapes and trance-inducing boy-girl harmonies to ultramodern electronic trappings, rewarding fans’ faith and patience — and then some. MBV plays Seattle’s Showbox SoDo Theater Wednesday, and though they may be older now, they remain one of the loudest bands on the planet — so don’t forget earplugs.

8 p.m. Wednesday at Showbox SoDo, 1700 First Ave. S. Seattle; $39-$53 (206-652-0444 or www.ticketmaster.com)