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'{{About||the Nicki Minaj song|Massive Attack (song)|the LOMOcean Design boat|Massive Attack (Motor Boat)}} {{Use British English|date=June 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}} {{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians --> | name = Massive Attack | image = Massive Attack composite.jpg | caption = [[Robert Del Naja]] and [[Daddy G]] at [[Eurockéennes]], 2008 | image_size = | landscape = yes | background = group_or_band | origin = [[Bristol]], [[England]], United Kingdom | years_active = 1988–present | genre = {{flatlist| * [[Trip hop]] * [[alternative hip hop]] * [[experimental rock]] }} | label = [[Virgin Records|Virgin]] / [[EMI]] | associated_acts = {{flatlist| * [[Shara Nelson]] * [[Gorillaz]] * [[Terry Callier]] * [[The Wild Bunch (sound system)|The Wild Bunch]] * [[Neneh Cherry]] * [[Tricky (musician)|Tricky]] * [[Horace Andy]] * [[Neil Davidge]] * [[Portishead (band)|Portishead]] * [[Damon Albarn]] * [[Burial (musician)|Burial]] * [[Peeping Tom (band)|Peeping Tom]] * [[Martina Topley-Bird]] * [[Matt Schwartz]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Matt Schwartz|url=http://www.swingcity.co.uk/artists/matt-schwartz|work=Swing City|publisher=Wyze|accessdate=13 July 2013|year=2013}}</ref> }} | website = [http://www.massiveattack.co.uk/ massiveattack.co.uk] | current_members = [[Robert Del Naja|Robert "3D" Del Naja ("D")]]<br>[[Daddy G|Grant "Daddy G" Marshall ("G")]] | past_members = [[Andrew Vowles|Andy "Mushroom" Vowles ("Mush")]]<br>[[Tricky (musician)|Adrian Thaws ("Tricky")]]}} '''Massive Attack''' is an English musical group formed in 1988 in [[Bristol]], consisting of [[Robert Del Naja|Robert "3D" Del Naja]] and [[Daddy G|Grant "Daddy G" Marshall]]. Their debut album ''[[Blue Lines]]'' was released in 1991, with the single "[[Unfinished Sympathy]]" reaching the charts and later being voted the 63rd greatest song of all time in a poll by [[NME]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/photos/the-500-greatest-songs-of-all-time-100-1/330996/37/1|title="The 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time: 63. Massive Attack - 'Unfinished Sympathy' (1991, Virgin)"|work=NME.COM|accessdate=17 September 2014}}</ref> 1998's ''[[Mezzanine (album)|Mezzanine]]'', containing "[[Teardrop (song)|Teardrop]]", and 2003's ''[[100th Window]]'' charted in the UK at number 1. Both ''Blue Lines'' and ''Mezzanine'' feature in ''[[Rolling Stone]]''{{'}}s list of the [[500 Greatest Albums of All Time]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wayback.archive.org/web/20120718091303/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120531/massive-attack-blue-lines-19691231|title="500 Greatest Albums of All Time: Blue Lines&nbsp;– Massive Attack"|work=rollingstone.com|accessdate=17 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2003/rs500albums5.htm|title="500 Greatest Albums of All Time: Mezzanine&nbsp;– Massive Attack"|publisher=Rockonthenet.com|accessdate=17 September 2014}}</ref> The group has won numerous music awards throughout their career, including a [[Brit Award]]—winning Best British Dance Act, two [[MTV Europe Music Awards]], and two [[Q Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brits.co.uk/artist/massive-attack|title=Massive Attack: BRITs Profile|publisher=Brits.co.uk|accessdate=17 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metrolyrics.com/massive-attack-awards-featured.html|title="Awards & Features: Massive Attack"|publisher=Metrolyrics.com|accessdate=17 September 2014}}</ref> They have released 5 studio albums that have sold over 11 million copies worldwide. ==History== DJs Daddy G and Andrew Vowles and [[graffiti]] artist-turned-[[rapping|rapper]] Robert Del Naja met as members of partying collective [[The Wild Bunch (sound system)|The Wild Bunch]]. One of the first homegrown [[Sound system (DJ)|soundsystems]] in the UK, The Wild Bunch became dominant on the Bristol club scene in the mid-1980s.<ref name=allmusicbio>{{cite web|url={{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p13625/biography|pure_url=yes}}|title=Massive Attack > Biography|publisher=Allmusic|accessdate=20 May 2009|last=Ankeny|first=Jason}}</ref> Massive Attack started as a spin-off production trio in 1988, with the independently released song, "Any Love", sung by [[falsetto]]-voiced singer-songwriter Carlton McCarthy,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/artist/Carlton|title=Carlton Discography|publisher=discogs|accessdate=21 May 2009}} </ref> and then, with considerable backing from [[Neneh Cherry]], they signed to Circa Records<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wayback.archive.org/web/20100827221134/http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/miscellaneous-retail-retail-stores-not/4629212-1.html|title=Virgin Anniversary Salute: The U.S.: Co-presidents Cooper And Newton Are An Illustrious Pair Who Travel Well And Know Their Places|publisher=Billboard (as found at allbusiness.com)|date=5 September 1998 |accessdate=26 May 2009|last=Henderson|first=Richard}}</ref> in 1990&nbsp;– committing to deliver six studio albums and a "''best of''" [[compilation album|compilation]]. Circa became a subsidiary of, and was later subsumed into, [[Virgin Records]], which in turn was acquired by [[EMI]].<ref name=allmusicbio/><ref name=timedigital>{{cite news|url=http://wayback.archive.org/web/20100327033621/http://www.time.com/time/digital/cyberelite/39.html|title=Cyber Elite&nbsp;– Massive Attack|publisher=Time Digital|accessdate=20 May 2009| date=5 October 1998}}</ref> ''Blue Lines'' (1991), was co-produced by [[Jonny Dollar]] and [[Cameron McVey]], who also became their first manager.<ref name=brandplayson>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/02/14/1044927795994.html|title=The brand plays on|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=15 February 2003|accessdate=20 May 2009|last=Staff writer}}</ref> [[Geoff Barrow]], who went on to form [[Portishead (band)|Portishead]], was an intern and trainee tape operator at Bristol's Coach House studio when the album was recorded.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/3672545/Portishead-back-on-the-beat.html|title=Portishead: back on the beat|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=16 April 2008|accessdate=2 May 2009|last=McLean|first=Craig| location=London}}</ref> [[Cameron McVey|McVey]] (credited at the time as 'Booga Bear') and his wife, Neneh Cherry provided crucial financial support and in-kind assistance to the early careers of Massive Attack, Portishead and [[Tricky (musician)|Tricky]] during this period, even paying regular wages to them through their ''Cherry Bear Organisation''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://67.222.54.247/33//2007/01/interview-with-cameron-booga-bear-mcvey.html{{dead link|date=July 2013}}|title=Interview with Cameron 'Booga Bear' McVey|publisher=Reseize|date=15 January 2007}}</ref> Massive Attack used guest vocalists, interspersed with Del Naja and Marshall's (initially Tricky's) own [[sprechgesang]] stylings, on top of what became regarded as an essentially British creative sampling production; a trademark sound that fused down-tempo [[hip hop music|hip hop]], [[soul music|soul]], [[reggae]] and other eclectic references, musical and lyrical.<ref name=allmusicbio/> In the nineties, the trio became known for often not being able to easily get along with one another and working increasingly separately. [[Andrew Vowles|Andy Vowles]] (Mushroom), who had once thought of himself as the trio's musical director, acrimoniously left Massive Attack in late 1999, after an ultimatum from the other two members to end the group immediately if he did not. Despite having taken Del Naja's side in the effective firing of Vowles and then participating in a show-of-unity webcast as a duo the following year, Grant Marshall (G) had also effectively left by 2001 in that he abandoned the studio altogether. Marshall returned to a studio role in 2005, having joined the touring line-up in 2003/4.<ref name=lynskey>{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2007/feb/06/popandrock.features11 |title=Massive Attack talk to Dorian Lynskey|work=The Guardian|date=6 February 2007|accessdate=20 May 2009 |last=Lynskey|first=Dorian| location=London}}</ref> ===''Any Love'' beginnings=== Unsigned, Mushroom (Andy Vowles), Daddy G (Grant Marshall) and 3D (Robert Del Naja) put out "Any Love" as a single,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eil.com/shop/ExtSearch.asp?DiscArtist=Massive-Attack|title=Massive Attack Discography&nbsp;– Page 1|publisher=eil.com|quote=Any Love (Mega rare 1988 UK self released debut 2-track 12" on Massive Attack Records, includes Bonus Version, stickered sleeve MASS001)|accessdate=22 May 2009}}</ref> co-produced by Bristol double-act [[Smith & Mighty]]. ===''Blue Lines'' and "Unfinished Sympathy"=== {{Main|Blue Lines}} [[File:Daddy g.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Daddy G|Grant Marshall]] of Massive Attack at the [[Eurockéennes]] Festival 2008]] 3D co-wrote Neneh Cherry's "Manchild",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/vhvr|title=BBC&nbsp;– Music&nbsp;– Review of Neneh Cherry Raw Like Sushi|publisher=BBC|quote=The offbeat, ambient ballad Manchild (co-written with Massive Attack's 3D)|date=9 January 2009|accessdate=22 May 2009|last=Taylor|first=Angus}}</ref> which peaked at number 5 in the UK single chart.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wayback.archive.org/web/20120305174245/http://www.chartstats.com/release.php?release=16207 |title=Neneh Cherry&nbsp;– Manchild |publisher=Chart Stats |accessdate=31 March 2012}}</ref> Cameron McVey and Neneh Cherry helped them to record their first LP ''Blue Lines'', partly in their house, and the album was released in 1991 on Virgin Records.<ref name=allmusic-bluelines>{{cite web|url={{Allmusic|class=album|id=r12541|pure_url=yes}}|title=allmusic ((( Blue Lines > Overview )))|publisher=Allmusic|accessdate=22 May 2009|last=Bush|first=John}}</ref> The album used vocalists including [[Horace Andy]] and [[Shara Nelson]], a former Wild Bunch cohort. MC's Tricky and Willie Wee, also once part of The Wild Bunch, featured, as well as Daddy G's voice on "Five Man Army". Neneh Cherry sang backing vocals on environmentalist anthem, "Hymn of the Big Wheel".<ref name=allmusic-bluelines/> That year they released "[[Unfinished Sympathy]]" as a single, a string-arranged track at [[Abbey Road Studios|Abbey Road]] studio, scored by [[Will Malone]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/artists/andrea-parker|title=Andrea Parker|work=NME|quote=Will Malone, who had worked on horror film soundtracks and Massive Attack's classic "Unfinished Sympathy".|accessdate=22 May 2009}}</ref> that went on to be voted the 10th greatest song of all time in a poll by ''[[The Guardian]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/1999/nov/08/millennium.uk1|title=How Robbie headed Amadeus in the race to be music's man of the millennium|work=The Guardian|date=8 November 1999|quote=Best song: 10. Unfinished Sympathy&nbsp;– Massive Attack. |accessdate=22 May 2009|last=Wells|first=Matt| location=London}}</ref> The group temporarily shortened their name to "Massive" on the advice of McVey to avoid controversy relating to the [[Gulf War]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/soldonsong/whatson/unfinishedsympathy.shtml|title=BBC&nbsp;– Radio 2&nbsp;– Sold on Song&nbsp;– Brits25&nbsp;– Unfinished Sympathy|publisher=BBC|quote=Reaching number thirteen in the UK in 1991, Unfinished Sympathy was released under the group name Massive, due to the Gulf War of the same year|accessdate=22 May 2009}}</ref> They went back to being "Massive Attack" for their next single, "[[Safe from Harm (song)|Safe from Harm]]". ===''Protection'' and Melankolic=== {{Main|Protection (album)}} After Shara Nelson left, the band brought in [[Everything but the Girl]]'s [[Tracey Thorn]] as a vocalist<ref name=allmusicbio/> and released "Protection" on 26 September 1994. With McVey out of the picture, Massive Attack enlisted the production talents of ex-Wild Bunch [[Nellee Hooper]] to co-produce some songs on it, with Mushroom. Other tracks were co-produced by [[The Insects]] and 3D. A dub version, ''[[No Protection (Massive Attack album)|No Protection]]'', was released the following year by [[Mad Professor]]. ''Protection'' won a Brit award for Best Dance Act.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsfinder.org/site/more/massive_attack/|title=Massive Attack presented in Music section|publisher=newsfinder.org|accessdate=22 May 2009}}</ref> The other collaborators on ''Protection'' were Marius de Vries, [[Craig Armstrong (composer)|Craig Armstrong]],<ref name=lynskey/> a Scottish classical pianist, and Tricky. Tricky's solo career was taking off at this time and he decided not to collaborate with Massive Attack after this.<ref name=allmusicbio/> 1994-5 was also the period of Portishead's ''[[Dummy (album)|Dummy]]'' and [[Tricky (musician)|Tricky]]'s ''[[Maxinquaye]]'' albums and the term "trip hop" was coined.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1995/05/28/arts/pop-view-another-city-another-new-sound.html|title=POP VIEW; Another City, Another New Sound|work=The New York Times|date=28 May 1995|accessdate=22 May 2009|last=Reynolds|first=Simon}}</ref> The media started to refer to the "Bristol scene".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/maryannehobbs/bristol.shtml|title=Bristol: Rise Up|publisher=BBC|accessdate=22 May 2009|last=Slinger|first=Benjamin}}</ref> In 1995, Massive Attack started a label distributed by Virgin/EMI, Melankolic, and signed Craig Armstrong and number of other artists such as Horace Andy, [[Alpha (band)|Alpha]], [[Sunna (band)|Sunna]], and [[Day One (band)|Day One]]. The trio espoused a non-interference philosophy that allowed the artists to make their albums in the way they wanted.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://melankolic.astralwerks.com/ |title=This is melankolic records (archived at web.archive.org)|publisher=web.archive.org|accessdate=22 May 2009|archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20030210154818/http://melankolic.astralwerks.com/ |archivedate = 10 February 2003}}</ref> The same year The Insects became unavailable for co-production and having parted ways with Nellee Hooper, the band were introduced to [[Neil Davidge]],<ref name=bbcinterview>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/collective/A963542|title=BBC&nbsp;– collective&nbsp;– Massive Attack interview transcript part 3|publisher=BBC|accessdate=22 May 2009}}</ref> a relatively unknown producer whose main claim to fame thus far had been an association with anonymous dance-pop outfit [[The DNA Disciples|DNA]]. The first track they worked on was "The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game", a cover version sung by Tracey Thorn for the [[Batman Forever Soundtrack|''Batman Forever'' soundtrack]]. Initially, Davidge was brought in as engineer, but soon became producer.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.neildavidge.com/additional/soundonsound.html | title=Sound on Sound | accessdate=13 June 2013 | author=Davidge, Neil}}</ref> The trio increasingly fractured in the lead up to the third album, Davidge having to co-produce the three producers' ideas separately. Mushroom was reported to be unhappy with the degree of the post-punk direction in which Del Naja, increasingly filling the production vacuum, was taking the band.<ref name=bbcinterview/> In 1997, the group contributed to the film soundtrack of ''[[The Jackal (1997 film)|The Jackal]]'', recording "Superpredators (Metal Postcard)", a number containing a sample of [[Siouxsie and the Banshees]]' "[[Mittageisen]]"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inflightdata.com/superpredators.html|title=Massive Attack|author=005332x|publisher=Inflightdata.com|accessdate=17 September 2014}}</ref> and "Dissolved Girl", a new song with vocals by Sarah Jay (that was later remixed for the next album), which was featured at the beginning of the 1999 film [[The Matrix]], although it was not on the official soundtrack. Later that year they released a single, "Risingson", from what would be their third album, ''[[Mezzanine (album)|Mezzanine]]''.<ref name=allmusic-mezzanine>{{cite web|url={{Allmusic|class=album|id=r348738|pure_url=yes}}|title=allmusic ((( Mezzanine > Overview )))|publisher=Allmusic|accessdate=22 May 2009|last=Bush|first=John}}</ref> ===''Mezzanine'', Teardrop, the Vowles split and Marshall's absence=== {{Main|Mezzanine (album)}} [[File:Robert Del Naja@Barcelone-crop.jpg|thumb|[[Robert Del Naja]] at Barcelona 2007]] ''Mezzanine'' was Massive Attack's most commercially successful album, selling nearly 4 million copies. [[Angelo Bruschini]] became their permanent lead guitarist both in recording and live.<ref name=allmusic-mezzanine/> The lead single, after "Risingson" was "[[Teardrop (Massive Attack song)|Teardrop]]", sung by [[Cocteau Twins|Cocteau Twin]] [[Elizabeth Fraser]]. The song was accompanied by a video directed by [[Walter Stern (director)|Walter Stern]], of an [[animatronic]] singing fetus. Horace Andy was invited back to sing on three songs, including "[[Angel (Massive Attack song)|Angel]]" and a track the band made for the film ''[[The Jackal (1997 film)|The Jackal]]'', "Dissolved Girl", sung by Sara Jay, was remixed for inclusion on the record. ''Mezzanine'' went on to win a Q Award for Best Album<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.everyhit.com/awardq.html|title=The Q Awards|publisher=everyhit.com|accessdate=22 May 2009}}</ref> as well as being nominated for a Mercury Award. Touring extensively, friction between Mushroom and the others came to a head. Mushroom was unhappy with the direction of the group, Del Naja's dominating role, and having to appear on tour.<ref name=sawyer>{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/may/11/urbanmusic.culture|title=Massive Attack talk to Miranda Sawyer|work=The Observer|date=11 May 2008|accessdate=20 May 2009|last=Sawyer|first=Miranda| location=London}}</ref> Around this time, Del Naja, with Davidge decamped into Ridge Farm studio with friends and band members of [[Lupine Howl]] (made up of former members of the band [[Spiritualized]], including Damon Reece who went on to be Massive Attack's permanent drummer and one of two live drummers) towards a fourth Massive Attack LP, taking things even further into an experimental, psychedelic rock direction.<ref name=brandplayson/> 2001 also saw the release of ''Eleven Promos'', a DVD of all Massive Attack's 11 music videos thus far, including "Angel", a £100,000+ promo<ref>{{cite web|url={{Allmusic|class=album|id=r1215456|pure_url=yes}}|title=allmusic ((( Collected/Rarities/Eleven Promos > Overview )))|publisher=Allmusic|accessdate=22 May 2009|last=Jurek|first=Thom}}</ref> ===Del Naja's ''100th Window'', Marshall's return and ''Collected''=== {{Main|100th Window}} With Daddy G temporarily no longer involved in the studio, Davidge and Del Naja steered "LP4" on their own. Enlisting the vocals of [[Sinéad O'Connor]] and Horace Andy, ''100th Window'' was mastered in August 2002 and released in February 2003.<ref name=allmusic100thwindow>{{cite web|url={{Allmusic|class=album|id=r620022|pure_url=yes}}|title=allmusic ((( 100th Window > Overview )))|publisher=Allmusic|accessdate=22 May 2009|last=Bush|first=John}}</ref> Featuring no samples or cover versions, ''100th Window'' was not as critically well received in Britain as the other records, although the album received a warmer reception internationally; scoring a 75 out of 100 on review aggregation site [[Metacritic]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/massiveattack/100thwindow?q=massive%20attack|title=100th Window|publisher=Metacritic.com|accessdate=17 September 2014}}</ref> The group also collaborated with [[Mos Def]] on the track "I Against I", which appeared on the "Special Cases" single and the soundtrack for ''[[Blade II]]''. "I Against I" is also notable as the only track from the ''100th Window'' sessions that features a writing credit from Daddy G. Also in 2003, Del Naja was arrested on child porn allegations, which were reported widely in the media.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2003/feb/27/arts.childprotection|title=Police question musician over child porn|work=The Guardian|date=27 February 2003|accessdate=22 May 2009|last=Staff| location=London}}</ref> Del Naja was soon eliminated as a suspect<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/03/22/1047749989803.html|title=Police clear Massive Attack star in child porn inquiry|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=23 March 2003|accessdate=22 May 2009|last1=Barnes|first1=Anthony|last2=Marshall|first2=Nina}}</ref> (although he was charged with ecstasy possession and unable to get a US visa for a while) with Daddy G and fans proffering their support. The arrest affected the beginning of the ''100th Window'' tour schedule. Despite the difficulties of 2003, ''100th Window'' sold over a million copies and was toured extensively (including [[Queen Square, Bristol]]&nbsp;– a one-off sell out concert set up in the city centre park, which was seen as a homecoming).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/bristol/content/goingout/2003/08/26/massive_review.shtml|title=BBC&nbsp;– Going Out in Bristol&nbsp;– Massive Attack wow home crowd|publisher=BBC|accessdate=20 May 2009}}</ref> Afterwards, Del Naja and Davidge agreed to an offer from director [[Louis Leterrier]], to score the entire soundtrack for ''[[Unleashed (film)|Danny The Dog]]'', starring [[Jet Li]]. [[Dot Allison]], who had sung with the band on the 100th Window tour, sang the end titles track, "Aftersun". Davidge also scored the soundtrack for the ''[[Bullet Boy]]'' film, with Del Naja on the end titles. In 2005, Daddy G started coming into the studio, although little came of the material. He decided to instead work with a production duo, Robot Club, in another studio, feeling that he would be more free to develop tracks in the way he wanted. Meanwhile, Del Naja and Davidge recorded with a number of different singers as well as creating a track named "Twilight", for [[UNKLE]]'s ''[[War Stories (album)|War Stories]]'' album. Later that year, Massive Attack decided to release their contractually obliged compilation album ''[[Collected (Massive Attack album)|Collected]]'' in 2006. They released it with a second disc, made up of previously released non-album songs and unreleased sketches.<ref name=allmusic100thwindow/> ==="Weather Underground" / ''Heligoland'' era=== {{Main|Heligoland (album)}} In 2007, Del Naja and Davidge scored three soundtracks, ''In Prison My Whole Life'' (which featured a track called "Calling Mumia" with vocals by American rapper [[Snoop Dogg]]), ''[[Battle in Seattle]]'' and ''[[Trouble the Water]]''. In February 2007, Massive Attack hosted a charity benefit for the Hoping Foundation, a charity for Palestinian children, cementing their reputation as one of Britain's politically engaged bands. In 2008, it was announced that Massive Attack were to curate the UK's Southbank [[Meltdown (festival)|Meltdown]], a week-long event. It was suggested in interviews that this event would inspire Massive Attack back into action, having spent several years drifting towards the completion of their fifth studio album.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/feb/15/news.uk|title=Meltdown launches Massive Attack as festival curators|work=The Guardian|date=15 February 2008|accessdate=22 May 2009|last=Gibson|first=Owen|location=London}}</ref> Later that year, Del Naja and Daddy G headed to [[Damon Albarn]]'s studios for some writing and jamming. Around this time, Davidge scored the soundtrack for a [[Paul McGuigan (filmmaker)|Paul McGuigan]] film, ''[[Push (2009 film)|Push]]'' and in December, Del Naja completed the score for ''[[44 Inch Chest]]'' with The Insects and [[Angelo Badalamenti]]. Davidge and Del Naja got back together in 2009 with Daddy G to finish the fifth album, incorporating bits of the Albarn material. Later it was announced that the band were to headline the 2009 [[Bestival]] festival and soon after that they were to tour the UK<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wayback.archive.org/web/20120229232037/http://www.seetickets.com/massiveattack/event.asp?e|title=Massive Attack|publisher=seetickets.com|accessdate=21 May 2009}}</ref> and Europe, In May, Robert Del Naja's instrumental "Herculaneum", featured in the film ''[[Gomorra (film)|Gomorra]]'', won an Italian award for Best Song. Later that month, Del Naja and Marshall picked up a special Ivor Novello award for Outstanding Contribution to British Music.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/268565/massive-attack-to-return-with-huge-world-tour|title=Massive Attack to Return with Huge World Tour|work=Billboard|accessdate=25 May 2009}}</ref> On 29 May Jonny Dollar died of cancer aged 45, survived by his wife and 4 children. Dollar was the programmer and hands-on producer behind ''Blue Lines'', writing some of the melodies that were the basis for the string arrangements "Unfinished Sympathy".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=1037855&c=1|title=Blue Lines producer dies|publisher=musicweek.com|accessdate=3 June 2009}}</ref> On 25 August their new EP, ''[[Splitting the Atom]]'', was announced. The other new tracks on the EP were revealed to be [[Tunde Adebimpe]]'s "Pray For Rain", [[Martina Topley-Bird]]'s "Psyche" and [[Guy Garvey]]'s "Bulletproof Love". The latter two tracks appear as remixes of the intended album versions and none of "LP5"'s tracks are expected to resemble the versions that were played on the previous tour, with some songs, such as "Dobro", dropped altogether. "LP5" was finished on 12 November 2009, and it was called [[Heligoland (album)|''Heligoland'']], after the German [[archipelago]] of [[Heligoland]]. Del Naja said "I think it's got definitely a more organic feel".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://suicidegirls.com/interviews/Massive+Attack%3A+Heligoland+/|title=Interview w/ Massive Attack's Robert Del Naja re. Heligoland|publisher=suicidegirls.com|accessdate=10 March 2010}}</ref> The opening track, "Pray For Rain" featured guest vocals of [[TV on the Radio]]'s Tunde Adebimpe and [[Damon Albarn]] and [[Hope Sandoval]] all check in for a song or two. ====EPs==== Robert Del Naja told the New Statesman of his decision not to tour in Israel, due to the continuing [[Israeli blockade]] of the Gaza strip.<ref>{{cite web|last=Zushi |first=Yo |url=http://www.newstatesman.com/music/2010/09/israel-interview-boycott-naja |title=The silent treatment |work=New Statesman |accessdate=21 August 2011}}</ref> An Atlas Air EP was announced for 1 November as a vinyl/digital only release in aid of Warchild, also featuring the ''Heligoland'' leftover track, RedLight, plus a remix by Warp artist, [[Chris Clark (musician)|Clark]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://filtermagazine.com/index.php/news/entry/massive_attack_ready_new_ep/ |title=News&nbsp;– Massive Attack Ready New EP |publisher=FILTER Magazine |date=9 September 2010 |accessdate=21 August 2011}}</ref> Del Naja said in October, to the Spinner website, that his plans were now for "unorthodox" release of several EPs in 2011, rather than an album.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bellinger |first=Candy |url=http://wayback.archive.org/web/20111008133145/http://www.spinnermusic.co.uk/2010/10/14/massive-attack-north-american-tour/ |title=Celebrity Gossip, latest Celebrity News and Showbiz Gossip &#124; Eleven UK |publisher=Spinnermusic.co.uk |date=30 May 2011 |accessdate=21 August 2011}}</ref> On 10 October 2011, a limited 12" was announced, called "Four Walls / Paradise Circus". The record contains a long awaited collaboration with [[Burial (musician)|Burial]], as well as his remix of "Paradise Circus". The record is limited to 1000 copies.<ref>{{cite web|author=Four Walls / Paradise Circus |url=http://www.vfeditions.com/product/view/43 |title=Four Walls / Paradise Circus&nbsp;– Massive Attack vs Burial&nbsp;– The VinylFactory Editions Shop |publisher=Vfeditions.com |accessdate=31 March 2012}}</ref> The song "Paradise Circus" is used during the opening credits of BBC series [[Luther (TV series)|Luther]], and during the ending scene of the 6th episode of the second season 2 of [[Revenge (TV series)|Revenge]], whilst the song has also been remixed by several prominent artists, such as Canadian electronic music duo [[Zeds Dead]].<ref>{{cite web|author= Zeds Dead / Paradise Circus |url=http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/81946182/ |title=Zeds Dead / Paradise Circus&nbsp;– Remix&nbsp;– |publisher=ebaumsWorld |accessdate=9 April 2012}}</ref> On 11 December 2011, their song "Splitting The Atom" premièred as the theme song on ''[[Luck (TV series)|Luck]]'', an HBO television series starring [[Dustin Hoffman]]. ===New album and the return of Tricky=== In a 2013 interview for his first solo art show since 2008, Del Naja confirmed that not only was a new Massive Attack album in the works, but that rumours of a reunion with Tricky were indeed true.<ref name=metrotreunion>{{cite web |url=http://metro.co.uk/2013/05/23/massive-attacks-robert-del-naja-confirms-tricky-reunion-ahead-of-art-show-3804789 |title=Massive Attack’s Robert Del Naja confirms Tricky reunion ahead of art show |publisher=Metro News |accessdate=2 March 2014}}</ref> Tricky hasn't been featured on a Massive Attack album since 1994's ''Protection''. {{quote| 'The idea is to put a record out next year', he says. 'We actually get on really well at the moment because we don't spend time in the studio together', he says with a wry grin. 'Me and Tricky wrote some new tracks in Paris last year, which haven't seen the light of day yet&nbsp;– but that was fun. They should be on the next album.' |sign= Robert Del Naja, Metro, 23 May 2013<ref name=metrotreunion/> }} On 5 February 2014, it was confirmed that Massive Attack would headline at Secret Solstice, a new music festival in [[Reykjavík]] on 20 June through 22 June.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newsoficeland.com/entertainment/music/item/319-massive-attack-will-perform-at-secret-solstice-in-iceland-next-summer |title=Massive Attack will perform at Secret Solstice in Iceland next summer |publisher=News of Iceland |accessdate=2 March 2014}}</ref> On 21 February 2015, it was confirmed through the Massive Attack Facebook page that they would be collaborating with [[Run the Jewels]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://m.facebook.com/massiveattack/photos/a.163928704256.143181.19159654256/10153121358429257/?type=1&source=46&fs=5 |title=Massive Attack announce collaboration with Run the Jewels | publisher=Massive Attack |accessdate=21 February 2015}}</ref> ==Musical style== Some of their most noted songs have been without choruses and have featured dramatically atmospheric dynamics, conveyed through either distorted guitar crescendos, lavish orchestral arrangements or prominent, looped/shifting basslines, underpinned by high and exacting production values, involving sometimes copious digital editing and mixing.<ref name=timedigital/> The pace of their music has often been slower than prevalent British [[Electronic dance music|dance music]] at the time. These and other psychedelic, soundtrack-like and DJist sonic techniques, formed a much-emulated style journalists began to dub "trip hop" from the mid-nineties onwards,<ref>{{cite web|url={{Allmusic|class=explore|id=style/d2644|pure_url=yes}}|title=Trip Hop|publisher=Allmusic|accessdate=20 May 2009}}</ref> though in an interview in 2006, G said, "We used to hate that terminology [trip-hop] so bad,' laughs. 'You know, as far we were concerned, Massive Attack music was unique, so to put it in a box was to pigeonhole it and to say, "Right, we know where you guys are coming from."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hour.ca/music/music.aspx?iIDArticle=10216|title=Massive Attack in Montreal, September 11|work=Hour|publisher=Communications Voir Inc.|date=7 September 2006|accessdate=26 May 2009|last=Tousignant|first=Isa}}</ref> ==Other projects== ==='Fire Sale' exhibition=== Del Naja's solo art show was held at the Lazarides gallery in central London, England, UK from 24 May to 22 June 2013. The show's content spanned a period of over twenty years and featured many of the art pieces that Del Naja created for Massive Attack. Each piece, reinterpreted especially for the exhibition, was hand-printed and finished. The show also featured three one-off 'digital infinity mirrors', two of which contained phrases supplied by Reprieve that were extracted from drone pilot dialogues. Del Naja performed as a DJ during the opening night on 23 May 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lazinc.com/exhibitions/582,3d-fire-sale|title=Exhibition 3D: Fire Sale|publisher=Lazarides|accessdate=26 October 2013}}</ref> ===Massive Attack vs Adam Curtis=== Del Naja conceived and designed an eight-night festival with filmmaker Adam Curtis&nbsp;—in collaboration with UVA ([[United Visual Artists]])— that premiered in Manchester, England, UK in July 2013. The festival featured Curtis's film, unofficially titled ''The Plan'', which was projected on a huge screen surrounding the audience, while music from Massive Attack was interweaved throughout the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://louderthanwar.com/an-open-letter-to-massive-attack-and-adam-curtis/|title=An Open Letter To Massive Attack And Adam Curtis|publisher=Louder Than War|accessdate=26 October 2013}}</ref> Del Naja, who orchestrated the film's soundtrack, described the experience as a “collective hallucination” and the film was also shown at the Manchester Festival in July 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weheart.co.uk/2013/07/09/massive-attack-v-adam-curtis-at-manchester-international-festival/|title=Sensory Overload: Massive Attack and Adam Curtis' audio/visual assault reimagines the 'gig' experience...|publisher=We Heart|accessdate=26 October 2013}}</ref> The show was performed at the Ruhr International Festival in Germany in August 2013 and the Park Avenue Armory in New York City in September 2013. ==Activism and politics== Del Naja has been critical of the government policies of the United Kingdom. He was strongly opposed to the 2003 war against [[Iraq]], and with fellow musician [[Damon Albarn]] personally paid for full page adverts in the [[NME]] magazine.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/7876770/Massive-Attack-the-beat-goes-on.html|title="Massive Attack: the beat goes on"|date=8 July 2010|work=Telegraph.co.uk|accessdate=17 September 2014}}</ref> In 2005 Del Naja organised and performed at a charity concert in [[Bristol]] for Tsunami Relief with Adrian Utley and [[Geoff Barrow]] of [[Portishead (band)|Portishead]]. The two-night event featured Massive Attack, Portishead, [[Robert Plant]], [[The Coral]] and Damon Albarn. Del Naja and Marshall performed three shows in 2005 in support of Hoping, an organisation that helps raise money, support projects for Palestinian youth in refugee camps in the Gaza strip and the west bank, Lebanon and Syria. Del Naja, musicians [[Damon Albarn]] and [[Brian Eno]], and [[United Visual Artists]] contributed to a demonstration against the renewal of the [[UK Trident programme]] that was held aboard the Arctic Sunrise on the River Thames in 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/media/press-releases/river-thames-to-host-protest|title=River Thames to host protest against Trident renewal |publisher=Greenpeace UK|accessdate=15 September 2012}}</ref> In 2008, Massive Attack curated the annual Meltdown festival on London's south bank. During the two weeks of live performance, cinema and art, they worked with human rights lawyer Clive Stafford Smith and his Reprieve organisation which uses the law to enforce the human rights of prisoners.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reprieve.org.uk/press/2008_07_07memoriesofmeltdown/|title=Reprieve—Memories of Meltdown|accessdate=15 September 2012}}</ref> In 2010, the video for shot by Oliver Chanarin and Adam Bloomberg for the song "Saturday come slow", featuring Damon Albarn, drew attention to the use of music in torture.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reprieve.org.uk/blog/2010_03_18massive_attack_speaks_out_music_torture/|title=Reprieve—Massive Attack speak out against music torture|accessdate=15 September 2012}}</ref> In 2010, Massive Attack donated the income from a Lincoln car commercial to the clean up campaign after the BP oil spill disaster.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://saveourgulf.org/updates/massive-attack-donate-proceeds-lincoln-car-commercial-clean-ef|title=Massive Attack Donate Proceeds of Lincoln Car Commercial To Clean-Up Efforts in the Gulf of Mexico | publisher=Save Our Gulf|accessdate=15 September 2012}}</ref> Massive Attack donated all proceeds from their 2010 EP Atlas Air this week for War Child, a charity the band previously supported when they contributed to the HELP album.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/news/231110_massiveattack.shtml|title=BBC&nbsp;– 6Music News&nbsp;– Massive Attack for War Child|publisher=[[BBC]]|accessdate=15 September 2012}}</ref> Massive Attack have previously played two shows in Israel, but have declined recent offers. They have described this "not an action of aggression towards the Israeli people" but "towards the [Israeli] government and its policies", arguing that "the Palestinians [in Gaza and the west bank] have no access to the same fundamental benefits that the Israelis do."<ref name=NS>{{cite news|last=Parry|first=William|title=The silent treatment|url=http://www.newstatesman.com/music/2010/09/israel-interview-boycott-naja|accessdate=8 May 2013|newspaper=New Statesman|date=3 September 2010}}</ref> Del Naja and Thom Yorke of Radiohead threw an unofficial party at the occupied [[UBS]] building in the city of London in December 2011, in support for the international Occupy movement.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dazeddigital.com/artsandculture/article/12575/1/occupy-2012|title=Dazed Digital | publisher=Occupy 2012|accessdate=15 September 2012}}</ref> On 14 November 2012, on the eve of the Bristol Mayor election the band caused some surprise by endorsing independent millionaire and former LibDem George Ferguson, citing the need for a mayor who would help facilitate creative projects to the city, and wasn't simply following a party political agenda.<ref name=24-7>{{cite news|last=Brown|first=Christopher|title=Bristol mayor: Massive Attack give vocal backing for Ferguson|url=http://www.bristol247.com/2012/11/14/bristol-mayor-massive-attack-give-vocal-backing-for-ferguson-25128/|accessdate=8 May 2013|newspaper=Bristol 24–7|date=14 November 2012}}</ref> Previously, Del Naja had openly criticised Ferguson for being a member of the [[Society of Merchant Venturers]],<ref name=post01>{{cite news|last=Staff|title=Massive Attack star criticises Bristol Mayor candidate George Ferguson|url=http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Massive-Attack-star-criticises-Bristol-Mayor/story-17054830-detail/story.html#axzz2Shn0uOq5|accessdate=8 May 2013|newspaper=This Is Bristol|date=9 October 2012}}</ref> an organisation dating back to the 16th century which had many connections with the [[Bristol slave trade]].<ref name=Nash>{{cite web|last=Nash|first=Andrew|url=http://www.flocs.com/websites/bristolslavery/people/merchantventurers.htm|title=The Society of Merchant Venturers|work=Bristol Slavery|publisher=Andrew Nash|accessdate=22 March 2015}}</ref> During their concert at [[Istanbul]], Massive Attack named those who died in [[2013–14 protests in Turkey|anti-government protests]] on the outdoor screen at their back with following sentences, ''Their killers are still out there'' and ''We won't forget [[Soma mine disaster|Soma]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radikal.com.tr/hayat/massive_attack_soma_ve_geziyi_unutmadi-1196119|title=Massive Attack Soma ve Gezi'yi unutmadı&nbsp;— Hayat Haberleri&nbsp;— Radikal|date=6 August 2014|work=Radikal|accessdate=17 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gercekgundem.com/kultur-sanat/49167/massive-attackten-soma-ve-gezi-mesaji|title=Massive Attack'ten Soma ve Gezi mesajı&nbsp;— Gerçek Gündem|work=Gerçek Gündem|accessdate=17 September 2014}}</ref> In July Del Naja and Marshall visited the Bourge-El Barajneh refugee camp in Lebanon to meet with Palestinian volunteers at an educational centre. The band's profit from the show in in Byblos was donated to the centre.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/massive-attack-visit-palestinian-refugees-in-lebanon-all-of-them-have-a-right-to-a-life-of-dignity-and-beauty-9635645.html|title=Massive Attack visit Palestinian refugees in Lebanon: 'All of them have a right to a life of dignity and beauty' - People&nbsp;— News&nbsp;— The Independent|work=The Independent|accessdate=17 September 2014}}</ref> ==Discography== {{Main|Massive Attack discography}} * ''[[Blue Lines]]'' (1991) * ''[[Protection (album)|Protection]]'' (1994) * ''[[Mezzanine (album)|Mezzanine]]'' (1998) * ''[[100th Window]]'' (2003) * ''[[Heligoland (album)|Heligoland]]'' (2010) ==Awards and nominations== ===MTV Europe Music Awards=== The [[MTV Europe Music Awards]] were established in 1994 by MTV Europe to celebrate the most popular music videos in Europe. Massive Attack has received two awards from three nominations. {{awards table}} |- | [[1995 MTV Europe Music Awards|1995]] || "[[Protection (Massive Attack song)|Protection]]" || Best Video || {{won}} |- | rowspan="2"| [[1998 MTV Europe Music Awards|1998]] || "[[Teardrop (song)|Teardrop]]" || Best Video ||{{won}} |- | "[[Mezzanine (album)|Mezzanine]]" || Best Album || {{nom}} |- {{end}} ===Q Awards=== The [[Q Awards]] is the UK's annual music awards held by music magazine ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]'' for excellence in music. Massive Attack has received two awards from two nominations. {{awards table}} |- |rowspan="1"| 1998 || "[[Mezzanine (album)|Mezzanine]]" || Best Album<ref>{{ cite web | url=http://www.everyhit.com/awardq.html | title=The Q Awards 1990-2004 Results|publisher=Everyhit.com|accessdate=17 September 2014}}</ref> || {{won}} |- |rowspan="1"| [[Q Awards#2008|2008]] || Massive Attack || Innovation in Sound Award || {{won}} |- {{end}} ===Brit Awards=== [[The Brit Awards]] are the [[British Phonographic Industry]]'s annual pop music awards. {{awards table}} |- |rowspan="2"| [[1996 BRIT Awards|1996]] || "[[Protection (Massive Attack song)|Protection]]" ||Best British Video || {{nom}} |- | Massive Attack || Best British Dance Act || {{won}} |- |rowspan="5"| [[1999 BRIT Awards|1999]] || "[[Mezzanine (album)|Mezzanine]]" || MasterCard British Album || {{nom}} |- |rowspan="2"| "[[Teardrop (song)|Teardrop]]" || Best British Single || {{nom}} |- | Best British Video || {{nom}} |- |rowspan="2"| Massive Attack || Best British Group || {{nom}} |- | Best British Dance Act || {{nom}} |- {{end}} ===UK Music Video Awards=== The '''UK Music Video Awards''' is an annual celebration of [[creativity]], technical excellence and [[innovation]] in [[music video]] and moving image for music. {{awards table}} |- |rowspan="3"| 2010 || "[[Four Walls / Paradise Circus|Paradise Circus]]" || rowspan="2"| Best Dance Video || {{nom}} |- |rowspan="2"| "[[Splitting the Atom]]" || {{nom}} |- | Best Animation In A Video || {{nom}} |- |rowspan="2"| 2011 || rowspan="2"| "Atlas Air" || Best Animation In A Video || {{nom}} |- | Best Visual Effects In A Video || {{nom}} |- {{end}} ==References== {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}} ==External links== {{commons|Massive Attack}} *[http://www.massiveattack.co.uk/ Official website] *[http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=17093791 Massive Attack on NPR Music] *[http://www.radiolive.co.nz/HILL--Grant-Marshall-of-hugely-influential-Bristol-bandproject-Massive-Attack/tabid/506/articleID/12492/Default.aspx Audio interview with Grant Marshall, March 2010] *[http://www.3news.co.nz/Full-interview-with-Massive-Attack/tabid/368/articleID/148194/Default.aspx Video interview with 3D and Daddy G before Auckland show 2010] * {{discogs artist}} {{Massive Attack}} {{Shara Nelson}} {{Authority control}} [[Category:Alternative hip hop groups]] [[Category:Brit Award winners]] [[Category:English musical duos]] [[Category:Electronic music duos]] [[Category:English electronic music groups]] [[Category:Experimental rock groups]] [[Category:Music in Bristol]] [[Category:Musical groups established in 1988]] [[Category:Trip hop groups]] [[Category:Virgin Records artists]] [[Category:Women in electronic music]]'