Artist Cancellation Notice:
“I regret to announce that due to visa delays I am unable to perform at Songbyrd, Washington, DC on 6th September. All the other US tour dates scheduled remain on sale. I hope to reschedule the Washington show as soon as I can.”
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Songbyrd Presents
Blanck Mass
Wednesday September 6, 2017
D: 7:00 // S: 8:00 PM
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2016 was a beast of a year, from musical behemoths dying at a rapid rate to a period of such political turmoil that such realities we now face would have seemed like an obscene joke only a few years ago. If a beast has been awoken then it is wild and untamed, chewing and gnawing at civilisation, compassion and progression.
In “World Eater” Benjamin John Power – one half of Fuck Buttons – through his third album as Blanck Mass has made a reactionary and representative record of a year teeming with anger, violence, confusion and frustration. “World Eater” is a reference to both the inner beast inside human beings that when grouped en-masse stops us from moving forward towards good, and a reference to human beings themselves and their place on the planet.” He says of the inner and outward consuming beast. “The beast is highly territorial and violent. It is very clear to me that the beast remains an ever-growing presence and threat. We have to understand and control the beast before we turn the world inside out and destroy it.”
“World Eater” is a record that is thoroughly alive, bubbling, gnarling and biting. Yet whilst musically it captures an anger and intensity through a progression of hissing electronics and furious beats, it also too possesses a tender side and amongst the rage lays actual love songs. “It’s a cliché to say, but there is a fine line between love and hate.” Power says of the record’s dichotomous existence. “Being surrounded by so much hate in the world right now throws a whole new light on the importance of love. I have never set out to make a protest record. I’ve never set out to make any kind of record really, but during the creative process for this and any of my past releases I start to form a bond with the project as we grow together. World Eater is highly reactionary, I think the love restored a personal balance.”
