{{Short description|British electronic solo project}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2017}} {{Infobox musical artist | image = Blank Mass (2015).jpg | caption = Blanck Mass in July 2015 | birth_name = Benjamin John Power | birth_place = London, England | origin = Worcester, England | genre = electronic, drone, industrial, experimental, ambient, techno | occupation = Musician, composer, producer, soundtrack composer | years_active = 2011–present (solo project; active earlier with Fuck Buttons) | label = Rock Action, Sacred Bones, Weirding Way, Invada Records | past_member_of = Fuck Buttons, Editors | website = {{URL|blanckmass.com}} }}
'''Blanck Mass''' is the electronic solo project of British composer and producer Benjamin John Power (born 10 September 1982).<ref>{{cite web |title=AMBIENT SUITE |url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/891935529 |access-date=April 26, 2023 |website=ASCAP |publisher=American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |date=28 April 2011 |title=Fuck Buttons' Power Goes Solo as Blanck Mass |url=http://pitchfork.com/news/42355-fuck-buttons-power-goes-solo-as-blanck-mass/ |accessdate=27 June 2011 |publisher=Pitchfork.com}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Music |url=https://blanckmass.com/music |access-date=2025-10-07 |website=Blanck Mass |language=en-GB}}</ref> In 2022, Power joined the band Editors as a full-time member while continuing his solo work as Blanck Mass.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-20 |title=Editors Add Blanck Mass As Full-Time Member, Share New Song "Heart Attack" |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2184148/editors-blanck-mass-member-heart-attack/music/ |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=Stereogum |language=en-US}}</ref> He made one album with the band, ''EBM'', before leaving the band in 2025.
==Career== '''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.<ref name="pitchfork">{{cite web |date=27 July 2012 |title=Olympics Opening Ceremony: Arctic Monkeys, Underworld, Dizzee Rascal... and Fuck Buttons |url=http://pitchfork.com/news/47290-olympics-opening-ceremony-arctic-monkeys-underworld-dizzee-rascal-and-fuck-buttons/ |accessdate=24 February 2013 |publisher=Pitchfork.com}}</ref>
'''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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blanck Mass Announces 'Dumb Flesh' LP for Sacred Bones │ Exclaim! |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/blanck_mass_announces_dumb_flesh_lp_for_sacred_bones |access-date=2025-10-07 |website=Blanck Mass Announces 'Dumb Flesh' LP for Sacred Bones │ Exclaim! |language=en}}</ref> Subsequent studio albums included ''World Eater'' (2017) and ''Animated Violence Mild'' (2019), each expanding his palette of rhythms, noise, and cinematic detail.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blanck Mass announces new album, World Eater · News ⟋ RA |url=https://ra.co/news/37799 |access-date=2025-10-07 |website=Resident Advisor |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Minsker |first=Evan |date=2019-06-06 |title=Blanck Mass Announces New Album Animated Violence Mild, Shares Song: Listen |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/blanck-mass-announces-new-album-animated-violence-mild-shares-song-listen/ |access-date=2025-10-07 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}</ref>
'''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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=‘Calm With Horses’ Soundtrack Released {{!}} Film Music Reporter |url=https://filmmusicreporter.com/2020/03/15/calm-with-horses-soundtrack-released/ |access-date=2025-10-07 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Pearis |first=Bill |title=Blanck Mass scored new Unabomber movie 'Ted K' (listen to the main theme) |url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/blanck-mass-scored-new-unabomber-movie-ted-k-listen-to-the-main-theme/ |access-date=2025-10-07 |website=BrooklynVegan |language=en-US}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Anna |date=2021-09-21 |title=The Ivors with Apple Music 2021 winners announced |url=https://ivorsacademy.com/news/the-ivors-with-apple-music-2021-winners-announced/ |access-date=2025-10-07 |website=The Ivors Academy |language=en}}</ref>
'''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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=Sam |date=2022-04-20 |title=Editors share new single ‘Heart Attack’ and add Blanck Mass to line-up |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/editors-share-new-single-heart-attack-and-add-blanck-mass-full-member-3208643 |access-date=2025-10-07 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brennisteinn (Blanck Mass Instrumental Remix), by Sigur Rós |url=https://sigurros.bandcamp.com/track/brennisteinn-blanck-mass-instrumental-remix |access-date=2025-10-07 |website=Sigur Rós |language=en}}</ref>
==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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blanck Mass: The Power of Music – Electronic Sound |url=https://www.electronicsound.co.uk/features/long-reads/blanck-mass-the-power-of-music/ |access-date=2025-10-07 |language=en-AU}}</ref> Interviews and press have linked his music to interests in natural phenomena, large-scale atmospheres and the aesthetics of both decay and euphoria.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cohen |first=Ian |title=Blanck Mass: World Eater |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/22958-world-eater/ |access-date=2025-10-07 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Discography== '''Albums''' * ''Blanck Mass'' (20 June 2011, Rock Action) * ''Dumb Flesh'' (11 May 2015, Sacred Bones) * ''World Eater'' (3 March 2017, Sacred Bones) * ''Animated Violence Mild'' (16 August 2019, Sacred Bones) * ''In Ferneaux'' (26 February 2021, Sacred Bones)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/news/blanck-mass-confirms-new-album-in-ferneaux|title=Blanck Mass Confirms New Album 'In Ferneaux'|work=Clash|last=Murray|first=Robin|date=11 January 2021|accessdate=12 January 2021}}</ref> * ''Mind Killer'' (14 May 2021, Weirding Way) '''Soundtracks''' * ''Calm with Horses'' (13 March 2020, Invada Records) * ''Ted K'' (18 March 2022, Invada Records) * ''Gazza'' (21 November 2022, Weirding Way) * ''Floodlights'' (2022, unreleased) * ''The Rig - Prime Video Original Series'' (6 January 2023, Invada Records) * ''The Rig Season 2 - Prime Video Original Series'' (2 January 2025, Invada Records) * ''She Rides Shotgun'' (1 August 2025, Lakeshore Records & Invada Records) * ''Crime 101'' (13 February 2026, Lakeshore Records & Invada Records) '''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''' * ''A Field in England: Original Soundtrack Recording'' (18 October 2013, Death Waltz/Rook Films) * ''Blanck Mass Presents – The Strange Colour of Your Body's Tears Re-Score'' (2015, Death Waltz Originals) '''Remixes'''
As Blanck Mass:
* John Carpenter<ref>{{Cite web |last=Minsker |first=Evan |date=2015-09-03 |title=Prurient Remixes John Carpenter's "Purgatory |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/61053-prurient-remixes-john-carpenters-purgatory/ |access-date=2025-10-07 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}</ref> * Mogwai<ref>{{Cite web |last=McElroy |first=David |date=2014-12-05 |title=MOGWAI – MUSIC INDUSTRY 3 FITNESS INDUSTRY 1 EP |url=https://www.xsnoize.com/mogwai-music-industry-3-fitness-industry-1-ep/ |access-date=2025-10-07 |website=www.xsnoize.com |language=en-GB}}</ref> * Moby<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hill |first=John HillJohn |date=2017-03-16 |title=Blanck Mass Make a Mess of Moby in New Remix |url=https://clrvynt.com/blanck-mass-moby-the-light-is-clear-in-my-eyes/ |access-date=2025-10-07 |website=CLRVYNT |language=en}}</ref> * Placebo<ref>{{Cite web |title=Life's What You Make It (Remixes) |url=https://soundcloud.com/placeboworld/sets/lifes-what-you-make-it-remixes |access-date=2025-10-07 |website=SoundCloud |language=en}}</ref> * East India Youth<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roberts |first=Christopher |title=East India Youth Releases New Remix EP featuring Blanck Mass and Others |url=https://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/east_india_youth_releases_new_remix_ep_featuring_blanck_mass_and_others/ |access-date=2025-10-07 |website=Under the Radar Magazine |language=en}}</ref> * Sigur Ros * The Horrors<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pelly |first=Jenn |date=2012-12-04 |title=Stream the Horrors Remixes by Peaking Lights, Blanck Mass, Andrew Weatherall, More |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/48817-stream-the-horrors-remixes-by-peaking-lights-blanck-mass-andrew-weatherall-more/ |access-date=2025-10-07 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}</ref> * Gazelle Twin * Editors * Deftones<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hadusek |first=Jon |date=2020-12-11 |title=Deftones release White Pony remix album Black Stallion: Stream |url=https://consequence.net/2020/12/deftones-white-pony-black-stallion-remix-album-stream/ |access-date=2025-10-07 |website=Consequence |language=en}}</ref> '''Live Collaborations''' * Part of Glenn Branca's 7 guitars + Drums Steve Reich piece @ ATP Minehead 2007 * 'Group leader' in Boredoms live performance at Station to Station (88 Cymbals) at Barbican, 2015<ref>{{Cite web |title=RA.475 Blanck Mass ⟋ RA Podcast |url=https://ra.co/podcast/475 |access-date=2025-10-07 |website=Resident Advisor |language=en}}</ref> * Genesis Breyer P. Orridge / Edley ODowd / Blanck Mass improvised live performance at Sacred Bones 10 Year Anniversary, 2017<ref>{{Cite web |last=Joffe |first=Justin |date=2017-05-15 |title=How Sacred Bones Became the Underground’s Most Influential Record Label |url=https://observer.com/2017/05/sacred-bones-records-legacy-interview/ |access-date=2025-10-07 |website=Observer |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Live performance == 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BLANCK MASS TO TOUR WITH SIGUR ROS in 2013 :: October Podcast Available To Download Now |url=https://www.pressparty.com/pg/newsdesk/ChalkerPR/view/59560/?isworld=y |access-date=2025-10-07 |website=Pressparty |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Blanck Mass heads for Melbourne, Sydney and Hobart · News ⟋ RA |url=https://ra.co/news/34611 |access-date=2025-10-07 |website=Resident Advisor |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Blanck Mass review: Summerhall, Edinburgh, 12 Mar - The Skinny |url=https://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/live-music/reviews/blanck-mass-summerhall-edinburgh-12-mar |access-date=2025-10-07 |website=www.theskinny.co.uk |language=en}}</ref>
== Reception == Critics have generally praised Blanck Mass for its textural ambition and the combination of noise aesthetics with propulsive rhythms.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kelly |first=Zach |date=2015-05-12 |title=Behind Blanck Mass: Benjamin John Power's Fuzzy Exploration into Your Brain |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/blanck-mass-dumb-flesh-interview-2015/ |access-date=2025-10-08 |website=VICE |language=en-US}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reese |first=Nathan |title=Blanck Mass: Dumb Flesh |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/20459-dumb-flesh/ |access-date=2025-10-07 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Hann |first=Michael |date=2017-03-02 |title=Blanck Mass: World Eater review – brutal noise with frequent sweet spots |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/mar/02/blanck-mass-world-eater-review-brutal-noise-with-frequent-sweet-spots |access-date=2025-10-07 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> 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).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cliff |first=Aimee |date=2019-08-16 |title=Blanck Mass: Animated Violence Mild review – grief, rage and transcendent electronica |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/aug/16/blanck-mass-animated-violence-mild-review |access-date=2025-10-07 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> His later career includes dedicated soundtrack commissions and score albums.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blanck Mass {{!}} Composer, Music Department, Soundtrack |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6601547/ |access-date=2025-10-07 |website=IMDb |language=en-US}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[http://blanckmass.bandcamp.com/ Blanck Mass on Bandcamp]
{{Blanck Mass|state=expanded}} {{Editors (band)}} {{Authority control}}
Category:British ambient musicians Category:English electronic musicians Category:English male film score composers Category:English male television composers Category:English record producers Category:Musical groups established in 2011 Category:Sacred Bones Records artists Category:Rock Action Records artists Category:2011 establishments in England Category:Musicians from Worcestershire Category:English film score composers