Blanck Mass: The Experimental Electronic Alias

Blanck Mass is the solo electronic project of Benjamin John Power, best known as one half of the influential UK noise duo Fuck Buttons. Hailing from England, Power has carved a distinct path with this alias, releasing critically acclaimed albums on labels like Sacred Bones and Rock Action Records that explore the outer limits of drone, ambient, and industrial music.

Early Career

The Blanck Mass project emerged in 2011, following the success of Fuck Buttons' first two albums. Benjamin John Power launched the alias as a vehicle for more personal and expansive electronic compositions, separate from his collaborative work. His self-titled debut album, Blanck Mass, was released that same year on the Mogwai-affiliated Rock Action Records, establishing a foundation of dense, textured soundscapes.

Breakthrough

Blanck Mass gained significant wider recognition with the 2015 album Dumb Flesh on Sacred Bones Records. This release marked a decisive turn towards more abrasive, corporeal, and rhythmically complex territory, using the fragility of the human body as its central theme. The album's intense fusion of melodic beauty and harsh noise structures cemented Power's reputation as a formidable solo force in experimental electronic music.

Key Tracks

Dead Format - This opening track from the 2017 album World Eater is a visceral statement of intent, building from a gentle pulse into a storm of distorted beats and screams.

Please - A key track from Dumb Flesh, it contrasts haunting, wordless vocals with grinding industrial rhythms, showcasing Power's skill at balancing light and dark.

No Dice - Featured on the 2019 album Animated Violence Mild, this song exemplifies the project's evolution into a more aggressive, almost metal-influenced electronic style.

Starstuff - From the 2021 album In Ferneaux, this lengthy, two-part composition represents a return to more ambient, journey-like structures, demonstrating the project's dynamic range.

Following World Eater, Blanck Mass continued to evolve, with 2019's Animated Violence Mild delivering a focused critique of consumerism through punishing electronics. The 2021 double-track album In Ferneaux presented a more reflective, travelogue-inspired side, proving the project's resistance to easy categorization. Beyond his solo work, Power has also produced notable film scores, including the soundtrack for the 2022 feature Calm With Horses.

Fans of Blanck Mass's textured and challenging sound may also appreciate the work of Fuck Buttons, Power's primary group known for its epic, noisy crescendos. The dense electronic landscapes of Forest Swords offer a similarly atmospheric and bass-heavy approach. For other UK-based artists pushing electronic music into abrasive territories, explore Oneohtrix Point Never though from the US, shares a similar interest in digital collage and hyper-edited sounds. The genre-defying experiments of Tim Hecker also operate in a comparable realm of transformative noise and melody.

The immersive and boundary-pushing music of Blanck Mass finds a natural home on dedicated experimental and electronic radio stations, where listeners seek out challenging and evolving sound design.

Explore the discography of Blanck Mass and experience his evolving sonic world through the radio stations available here.