Brutal industrial noise/electronic with choral tendencies. A total beast of a record. Blanck Mass is Benjamin John Power, formerly one half of the experimental noise duo Fuck Buttons. Here he picks up where he left off with 2015’s excellent Dumb Flesh, going even further into extremes but still finding space to illuminate beauty. Power says that this isn’t explicitly a protest record, though it’s still an attempt to shine a light on the importance of love in the world right now. Sacred Bones killing it again. Play at maximum volume.

Related: Arca, The Haxan Cloak, Dreamcrusher

1. (2:35) John Doe’s Carnival of Error—Creepy playful chimes and keys. Beats and fractured voice build in last minute.
2. (9:09) *** Rhesus Negative—Abrasive percussion, loops and sheets of noise. Buried ecstatic voice throughout.
3. (7:28) *** Please—Jagged, syncopated synths. Vaguely gospel voices crying out. Really smooth.
4. (6:09) The Rat—Power noise and cheerful 80s synth lines.
5. (7:36) **** Silent Treatment—Really great, staggered groove. Crooning male vocals, aggressive kicks, and sparkling chimes. Exhilarating finish.
6. (7:28) ** Minnesota / Eas Fors / Naked—Hissing, crackling noise. Field recording of a waterfall precedes a shoegazey guitar conclusion.
7. (8:31) **** Hive Mind—Slower, more melancholy. Rousing group chants switch off routinely with soulful male vocals. Ranges more towards pop. One of my favorite tracks of the year.