John Zorn - Elegy (1995)

Another smeared blossoming testament to the off-color and highly obtuse genius of John Zorn. A mostly minimalist and sparse landscape of sheer terror and spine-ripping controlled noise explosion. One of the highlights of the album is its wealth of renowned guest artists, most recognizably including Mike Patton and Trey Spruance of Mr. Bungle fame (not to mention Patton's mile-long list of other brilliant projects). Patton's vocals mostly consist of heavy perverted breathing and what sounds like someone choking on their own fist, amidst a haunted house nursery/empty burying field landscape created from flute, viola, guitar, turntables, sound effects, and percussion. Listening to this alone will have you looking over your shoulder every few minutes to make sure someone is not crawling in through your walls with a dagger. Those already addicted to other Zorn's other works will find this indispensable, as will completist collectors of all things Mike Patton. © Blake Butler