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]
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
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]
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
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
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
↑ "AMBIENT SUITE". ASCAP. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
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