Blanck Mass

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Blanck Mass
Blanck Mass in July 2015
Blanck Mass in July 2015
Background information
Born
Benjamin John Power

London, England
OriginWorcester, England
GenresElectronic, Drone, Industrial, Experimental, Ambient, Techno
Occupation(s)Musician, composer, producer, soundtrack composer
Years active2011–present (solo project; active earlier with Fuck Buttons)
LabelsRock Action, Sacred Bones, Weirding Way, Invada Records
Member ofEditors
Formerly ofFuck Buttons
Websiteblanckmass.com

Blanck Mass is the electronic solo project of British composer and producer Benjamin John Power (born 10 September 1982).[1] Best known for dense, textural electronic compositions that draw on drone, industrial, noise and metal music, Blanck Mass emerged as Power's primary solo vehicle while he was also half of the duo Fuck Buttons.[2] Since the project's debut in 2011, Blanck Mass has released studio albums, EPs and film/TV scores, and has produced remixes and collaborations for a wide range of artists.[3] In 2022 Power joined the band Editors as a full-time member while continuing his solo work as Blanck Mass.[4]

Career

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Origins and early solo work (2011–2014)

Blanck Mass began as Benjamin John Power's solo outlet while Fuck Buttons were on hiatus. The self-titled debut album Blanck Mass was released on Mogwai’s Rock Action label in 2011 and established Power's interest in extended drones, harsh textures and immersive electronic soundscapes. The record was followed by a growing live presence and a series of singles and remix work for other artists. The track ‘Sundowner’ was featured in the Opening Ceremony at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.[5]

Breakthrough: Dumb Flesh and subsequent albums (2015–2019)

Power signed to Sacred Bones Records and released Dumb Flesh in May 2015, an album that incorporated heavier rhythms, chopped vocal samples and a greater emphasis on movement and dancefloor dynamics while retaining abrasive sonics.[6] Subsequent studio albums included World Eater (2017) and Animated Violence Mild (2019), each expanding his palette of rhythms, noise, and cinematic detail.[7][8]

Film, TV and scoring work (2013–present)

Alongside albums, Blanck Mass has written music for cinema and television. Notable soundtrack and score releases include Calm with Horses (original score), Ted K (original motion picture score, 2022) and scores for other film/TV projects and limited series.[9][10] Power's cinematic work demonstrates his aptitude for mood, tension and texture in audiovisual contexts. In 2021 his work as composer for Nick Rowland's Calm with Horses was recognised with the Ivor Novello award for Best Original Film Score.[11]

Collaborations and band work

Power continues to collaborate with other musicians and remix artists across genres. In 2022 he was announced as a full-time member of Editors while continuing Blanck Mass releases and scoring work.[12] He has remixed and been remixed by artists including Sigur Rós and others, and his material has been used in large public events and media placements.[13]

Musical style and influences

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Blanck Mass's music is frequently described as a hybrid of drone, industrial noise and electronic dance music — often cinematic, immersive and loud. Power uses modular synthesisers, found sounds, heavily processed samples (including vocal fragments), and careful rhythmic processing to generate tension and release.[14] Interviews and press have linked his music to interests in natural phenomena, large-scale atmospheres and the aesthetics of both decay and euphoria.[15]

Discography

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Albums

Soundtracks

Singles and EPs

  • "White Math / Polymorph" (21 August 2012, Software Recording Co.)
  • "Hellion Earth" (21 December 2012)
  • "No Lite" (12 October 2015, Sacred Bones)
  • The Great Confuso EP (26 October 2015, Sacred Bones)
  • "D7-D5" (4 November 2016, Richter Sound)
  • "Odd Scene / Shit Luck" (21 April 2018, Sacred Bones)
  • "World Eater Re-Voxed" (16 March 2018)
  • The Blanck Mass Sessions (3 April 2019, PIAS, with Editors)
  • "Bloodhound / You" (6 December 2024, Weirding Way)

Compilations

Remixes

As Blanck Mass:

Live Collaborations

Live performance

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Blanck Mass has performed at festivals and on tours in Europe, North America and Australia, including support slots for acts such as Sigur Rós and headline shows where the project's live set emphasizes loud, immersive sound and extensive use of electronics and live processing.[26][27][28]

Reception

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Critics have generally praised Blanck Mass for its textural ambition and the combination of noise aesthetics with propulsive rhythms.[29] Albums such as Dumb Flesh and World Eater received coverage in major music outlets, and his soundtrack work has been noted for its capacity to support narrative tension.[30][31] Specific reviews of Ted K and other scores highlight his facility with cinematic pacing and sonic density.

Selected uses in media

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Power's compositions (including tracks under Blanck Mass and remixes) have been used in film and televised contexts, and his music has appeared in festivals and public ceremonies (for example, press coverage has noted usage of the track “Sundowner” in high-profile contexts).[32] His later career includes dedicated soundtrack commissions and score albums.[33]

References

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  1. ^ "AMBIENT SUITE". ASCAP. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  2. ^ "Fuck Buttons' Power Goes Solo as Blanck Mass". Pitchfork.com. 28 April 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2011.
  3. ^ "Music". Blanck Mass. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  4. ^ "Editors Add Blanck Mass As Full-Time Member, Share New Song "Heart Attack"". Stereogum. 20 April 2022. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  5. ^ "Olympics Opening Ceremony: Arctic Monkeys, Underworld, Dizzee Rascal... and Fuck Buttons". Pitchfork.com. 27 July 2012. Retrieved 24 February 2013.
  6. ^ "Blanck Mass Announces 'Dumb Flesh' LP for Sacred Bones │ Exclaim!". Blanck Mass Announces 'Dumb Flesh' LP for Sacred Bones │ Exclaim!. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  7. ^ "Blanck Mass announces new album, World Eater · News ⟋ RA". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  8. ^ Minsker, Evan (6 June 2019). "Blanck Mass Announces New Album Animated Violence Mild, Shares Song: Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  9. ^ "'Calm With Horses' Soundtrack Released | Film Music Reporter". Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  10. ^ Pearis, Bill. "Blanck Mass scored new Unabomber movie 'Ted K' (listen to the main theme)". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  11. ^ Brown, Anna (21 September 2021). "The Ivors with Apple Music 2021 winners announced". The Ivors Academy. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  12. ^ Moore, Sam (20 April 2022). "Editors share new single 'Heart Attack' and add Blanck Mass to line-up". NME. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  13. ^ "Brennisteinn (Blanck Mass Instrumental Remix), by Sigur Rós". Sigur Rós. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  14. ^ "Blanck Mass: The Power of Music – Electronic Sound". Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  15. ^ Cohen, Ian. "Blanck Mass: World Eater". Pitchfork. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  16. ^ Murray, Robin (11 January 2021). "Blanck Mass Confirms New Album 'In Ferneaux'". Clash. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  17. ^ Minsker, Evan (3 September 2015). "Prurient Remixes John Carpenter's "Purgatory". Pitchfork. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  18. ^ McElroy, David (5 December 2014). "MOGWAI – MUSIC INDUSTRY 3 FITNESS INDUSTRY 1 EP". www.xsnoize.com. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  19. ^ Hill, John HillJohn (16 March 2017). "Blanck Mass Make a Mess of Moby in New Remix". CLRVYNT. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  20. ^ "Life's What You Make It (Remixes)". SoundCloud. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  21. ^ Roberts, Christopher. "East India Youth Releases New Remix EP featuring Blanck Mass and Others". Under the Radar Magazine. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  22. ^ Pelly, Jenn (4 December 2012). "Stream the Horrors Remixes by Peaking Lights, Blanck Mass, Andrew Weatherall, More". Pitchfork. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  23. ^ Hadusek, Jon (11 December 2020). "Deftones release White Pony remix album Black Stallion: Stream". Consequence. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  24. ^ "RA.475 Blanck Mass ⟋ RA Podcast". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  25. ^ Joffe, Justin (15 May 2017). "How Sacred Bones Became the Underground's Most Influential Record Label". Observer. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  26. ^ "BLANCK MASS TO TOUR WITH SIGUR ROS in 2013 :: October Podcast Available To Download Now". Pressparty. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  27. ^ "Blanck Mass heads for Melbourne, Sydney and Hobart · News ⟋ RA". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  28. ^ "Blanck Mass review: Summerhall, Edinburgh, 12 Mar - The Skinny". www.theskinny.co.uk. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  29. ^ Kelly, Zach (12 May 2015). "Behind Blanck Mass: Benjamin John Power's Fuzzy Exploration into Your Brain". VICE. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  30. ^ Reese, Nathan. "Blanck Mass: Dumb Flesh". Pitchfork. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  31. ^ Hann, Michael (2 March 2017). "Blanck Mass: World Eater review – brutal noise with frequent sweet spots". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  32. ^ Cliff, Aimee (16 August 2019). "Blanck Mass: Animated Violence Mild review – grief, rage and transcendent electronica". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  33. ^ "Blanck Mass | Composer, Music Department, Soundtrack". IMDb. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
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