One of the most innovative and influential bands of their generation, Massive Attack is a dark and sensual blend of hip hop rhythms, soulful melodies and dubstep.
Carier start
The beginning of their career can be called 1983, when the Wild Bunch team was formed. Known for integrating a wide range of musical styles from punk to reggae to R&B, the band's performances quickly became a desirable pastime for Bristol's youth.
Then two Wild Bunch members Andrew Mushroom Voles and Grant Daddy G Marshall teamed up with a local graffiti artist (born Robert del Naja) to form the band Massive Attack in 1987.
Another Wild Bunch member, Nellie Hooper, split his time between the new band and his other project, Soul II Soul.
Massive Attack's first hits
The group's first single, Daydreaming, appeared in 1990, featuring sultry vocals from singer Shara Nelson and rapper Tricky, another former Wild Bunch collaborator.
It was followed by the composition Unfinished Sympathy.
Although the album was by no means a huge commercial success, the record was warmly received by most critics and became an instant classic in many circles.
Shara Nelson, who featured on many of the album's most memorable tracks, decided to pursue a solo career shortly thereafter.
The band then changed their name to Massive to avoid any repercussions from US policy towards Iraq.
Back on stage
After a three-year hiatus, Massive Attack (full name now restored) is back again with Protection.
Working again with Hooper and Tricky, they also found a new singer, Nicolette.
Three singles: Karmacoma, Sly and the title track were released on an LP, which was also completely remixed by Mad Professor and released under the name No Protection.
A lengthy tour followed, and for the next few years, Massive Attack's solo work was mostly limited to remixes for various artists, including Garbage.
They also worked with Madonna on a track for the Marvin Gaye tribute album. Finally, to promote their performance at the annual Glastonbury Music Festival, the band released the Risingson EP in the summer of 1997.
Massive Attack's third full-length album, Mezzanine, appeared in mid-1998.
Mezzanine became a critical hit and included successful singles such as Teardrop and Inertia Creeps.
The album topped the UK charts and entered the Top 60 on the Billboard 200 in the US. An American and European tour followed, but Woles left the band after disagreeing with the artistic direction of the recording of Mezzanine.
Del Naja and Marshall continued as a duo, later working with the likes of David Bowie and Dandy Warhols.
But Marshall later left briefly to take time for his family.
In February 2003, after a five-year wait, Massive Attack released their fourth album, 100th Window, featuring collaborations with lead artist Horace Andy, as well as Sinead O'Connor.
The song Danny the Dog, released in 2004, marked the band's entry into film music work and, unsurprisingly, often sounded more like background music.
Massive Attack's fifth album Heligoland, released in 2010, featured Horace Andy, radio broadcaster Tunde Adebimpe, Elbow's Guy Garvey and Martina Topley-Bird. Burial remixed the album Paradise Circus and the unreleased Four Walls.
The band returned in 2016 with the 4-track EP Ritual Spirit, joined by Tricky and Roots Manuva.
