Editing Massive Attack (section)

==History==
===The Wild Bunch and "Any Love" (1980s–1990)===
In the early 1980s, DJs [[Daddy G]] and [[Andrew Vowles|Mushroom]], and rappers [[Tricky (rapper)|Tricky]] and [[Robert Del Naja|3D]] met as members of partying collective [[The Wild Bunch (sound system)|the Wild Bunch]]. One of the first homegrown [[Sound system (DJ)|sound systems]] in the UK, the Wild Bunch became dominant on the Bristol club scene in the mid-1980s.<ref name="auto"/>

In 1988, Massive Attack was created as a spin-off quartet. Unsigned, the group (Mushroom, Daddy G, 3D and Tricky) 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|website=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)|access-date=22 May 2009}}</ref> It was co-produced by Bristol double-act [[Smith & Mighty]] and featured the [[falsetto]]-voiced singer-songwriter [[Carlton (singer)|Carlton McCarthy]]. In 1990, they committed to deliver six studio albums and a "best of" [[compilation album|compilation]] to Circa Records. This record label became a subsidiary of, and was later subsumed into, [[Virgin Records]], which in turn was acquired by [[EMI]].<ref name="allmusicbio">{{cite web |title=Massive Attack &#124; Biography & History |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/massive-attack-mn0000378288/biography |access-date=7 October 2019 |publisher=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref><ref name="timedigital">{{cite news |date=5 October 1998 |title=Cyber Elite&nbsp;– Massive Attack |url=http://www.time.com/time/digital/cyberelite/39.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327033621/http://www.time.com/time/digital/cyberelite/39.html |archive-date=27 March 2010 |access-date=20 May 2009 |publisher=Time Digital}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Henderson |first=Richard |date=5 September 1998 |title=Virgin Anniversary Salute: The U.S.: Co-presidents Cooper And Newton Are An Illustrious Pair Who Travel Well And Know Their Places |url=http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/miscellaneous-retail-retail-stores-not/4629212-1.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071127081054/http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/miscellaneous-retail-retail-stores-not/4629212-1.html |archive-date=27 November 2007 |access-date=26 May 2009 |magazine=Billboard (as found at allbusiness.com)}}</ref>

===''Blue Lines'' and "Unfinished Sympathy" (1991–1993)===
{{Main|Blue Lines}}
[[File:Robert Del Naja@Barcelone-crop.jpg|thumb|[[Robert Del Naja]] at Barcelona 2007]]
In 1989, 3D co-wrote [[Neneh Cherry]]'s [[Manchild (song)|''Manchild'']].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://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|access-date=22 May 2009|last=Taylor|first=Angus}}</ref> This working relationship continued with Cherry helping Massive Attack to record their first album ''[[Blue Lines]]''. Cherry's partner [[Cameron McVey]] was an executive producer of the album and became the group's first manager.<ref name="brandplayson">{{cite news |date=15 February 2003 |title=The brand plays on |url=https://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/02/14/1044927795994.html |access-date=20 May 2009 |newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Hart |first=Ron |date=30 January 2020 |title=Neneh Cherry Looks Back on Boundary-Busting 'Raw Like Sushi' Album |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/neneh-cherry-cameron-mcvey-raw-like-sushi-8549701/ |access-date=22 September 2024 |magazine=Billboard }}</ref> Cherry and McVey provided financial support, via the Cherry Bear organisation, and the album was partly recorded in their house.<ref>{{cite web |date=15 January 2007 |title=Interview with Cameron 'Booga Bear' McVey |url=http://67.222.54.247/33//2007/01/interview-with-cameron-booga-bear-mcvey.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110705234710/http://67.222.54.247/33//2007/01/interview-with-cameron-booga-bear-mcvey.html |archive-date=5 July 2011 |publisher=Reseize}}</ref> The band used guest vocalists, interspersed with their own ''[[sprechgesang]]'' stylings, on top of what became regarded as an essentially British creative sampling production; a trademark sound that fused [[hip-hop|hip hop]], [[soul music|soul]], [[reggae]] and other eclectic references, both musical and lyrical.<ref name="allmusicbio" /> The album used vocalists including [[Horace Andy]] and [[Shara Nelson]], a former Wild Bunch cohort.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://humag.co/features/massive-attack|title=Features|website=Humag.co|access-date=25 November 2020}}</ref> MC Willie Wee, also once part of the Wild Bunch, featured. Neneh Cherry sang backing vocals on environmentalist anthem, "Hymn of the Big Wheel".<ref name="AllMusic-bluelines" /> Co-production was also provided by [[Jonny Dollar]].

''Blue Lines'' was released on 8 April 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]]|access-date=22 May 2009|last=Bush|first=John}}</ref> The album has been retrospectively considered the first of the "[[trip-hop]]" genre and received critical acclaim.

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=https://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".|access-date=22 May 2009}}</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=https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/soldonsong/whatson/unfinishedsympathy.shtml|title=Radio 2 – Sold on Song – Brits25 – 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|access-date=22 May 2009}}</ref> They returned to being "Massive Attack" for their next single, "[[Safe from Harm (song)|Safe from Harm]]".

===''Protection'' and Melankolic (1994–1997)===
{{Main|Protection (Massive Attack album)}}
For their second album, the band brought in [[Everything but the Girl]]'s [[Tracey Thorn]]<ref name="allmusicbio" /> and [[Nicolette (musician)|Nicolette]] as vocalists and released "Protection" on 26 September 1994.

With McVey out of the picture,{{clarify|reason=Why was McVey 'out of the picture'|date=September 2024}} Massive Attack enlisted the production talents of former 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 Awards|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|website=Newsfinder.org|access-date=22 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090605081654/http://www.newsfinder.org/site/more/massive_attack/|archive-date=5 June 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> The other collaborators on ''Protection'' were [[Marius de Vries]] and [[Craig Armstrong (composer)|Craig Armstrong]],<ref name="lynskey">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/feb/06/popandrock.features11|title=Massive Attack talk to Dorian Lynskey|work=The Guardian|date=6 February 2007|access-date=20 May 2009|last=Lynskey|first=Dorian| location=London}}</ref> a Scottish classical pianist.

In 1995, Tricky decided to end his involvement with the band in order to pursue a solo career.<ref name="allmusicbio" /> The crediting of Tricky's contribution for ''Blue Lines'' was also a source of friction.<ref>{{cite news |last1=O'Hagan |first1=Sean |last2=O’Hagan |first2=Sean |date=27 October 2012 |title=Blue Lines: Massive Attack's blueprint for UK pop's future |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/oct/28/massive-attack-blue-lines-remaster |access-date=22 September 2024 |work=The Observer |issn=0029-7712}}</ref> This was also the period of the release of Tricky's ''[[Maxinquaye]]'' and [[Portishead (band)|Portishead]]'s ''[[Dummy (album)|Dummy]]''. The term "trip hop" was coined and was referred to by the media as part of the "[[Bristol underground scene|Bristol scene]]".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://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|access-date=22 May 2009|last=Reynolds|first=Simon}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/maryannehobbs/bristol.shtml|title=Bristol: Rise Up|publisher=BBC|access-date=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 a number of other artists such as Horace Andy, [[Lewis Parker (band)|Lewis Parker]], [[Alpha (band)|Alpha]], [[Sunna (band)|Sunna]], and [[Day One (band)|Day One]]. The group 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 |access-date=22 May 2009|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20030210154818/http://melankolic.astralwerks.com/ |archive-date = 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=https://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/collective/A963542|title=BBC&nbsp;– collective&nbsp;– Massive Attack interview transcript part 3|publisher=BBC|access-date=22 May 2009}}</ref> a relatively unknown producer who had 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 magazine |last1=Humberstone |first1=Nigel |title=Neil Davidge: Recording 100th Window |url=https://www.soundonsound.com/people/neil-davidge-recording-100th-window |magazine=Sound on Sound |access-date=15 July 2018}}</ref>

The group 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 3D, increasingly filling the production vacuum, was taking the band.<ref name="bbcinterview" />

In 1997, the group contributed to the [[The Jackal (soundtrack)|film soundtrack]] of ''[[The Jackal (1997 film)|The Jackal]]'', recording "Superpredators (Metal Postcard)", a song containing a sample of [[Siouxsie and the Banshees]]' "[[Mittageisen]]"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inflightdata.com/superpredators.html|title=Massive Attack|website=Inflightdata.com|access-date=17 September 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713030438/http://www.inflightdata.com/superpredators.html|archive-date=13 July 2011}}</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]]|access-date=22 May 2009|last=Bush|first=John}}</ref>

===''Mezzanine'', "Teardrop", Vowles's departure and Marshall's absence (1997–2001)===
{{Main|Mezzanine (album)}}
In 1997, 3D became the band's main producer in the recording sessions that made ''Mezzanine'', Massive Attack's most commercially successful album,<ref name="dazeddigital.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/40387/1/massive-attack-mezzanine-20th-birthday-retrospective|title=Massive Attack's Mezzanine and the death of the multicultural dream|date=16 June 2018|website=Dazeddigital.com|access-date=25 November 2020}}</ref> selling nearly four million copies. It featured Neil Davidge as a sound engineer and co-producer, and Horace Andy and [[Elizabeth Fraser]] as the main guest vocalists. During recording, [[Angelo Bruschini]] became their permanent lead guitarist both in a session capacity and live.<ref name="AllMusic-mezzanine" />

The lead single, after "Risingson", was "[[Teardrop (song)|Teardrop]]", sung by Fraser of [[Cocteau Twins]]. The song was accompanied by a video directed by [[Walter Stern (director)|Walter Stern]], of an [[animatronic]] singing fetus. Horace Andy sang on three songs, including "[[Angel (Massive Attack song)|Angel]]". A track the band made for the film ''[[The Jackal (1997 film)|The Jackal]],'' "Dissolved Girl", sung by Sarah Jay, was remixed for inclusion on the record.

''Mezzanine'' went on to win a [[Q Awards|Q Award]] for Best Album<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.everyhit.com/awardq.html|title=The Q Awards|website=Everyhit.com|access-date=22 May 2009}}</ref> as well as being nominated for a [[Mercury Prize]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=NME|access-date=17 February 2019|title=MERCURY RISING: GOMEZ WIN '98 ALBUM PRIZE|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/gomez-46-1385994|date=17 August 1998|website=NME}}</ref>

Touring extensively, friction between Mushroom and the other band members came to a head. Mushroom was unhappy with the direction of the group and having to appear on tour. In 1999, Mushroom left the band.<ref name="sawyer">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/may/11/urbanmusic.culture|title=Massive Attack talk to Miranda Sawyer|work=The Observer|date=11 May 2008|access-date=20 May 2009|last=Sawyer|first=Miranda| location=London}}</ref>

Around this time, 3D, 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 session drummer and one of two live drummers) towards a fourth Massive Attack LP, taking things even further into a rock direction.<ref name="brandplayson" /> 2001 also saw the release of ''Eleven Promos,'' a DVD of 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]]|access-date=22 May 2009|last=Jurek|first=Thom}}</ref>

Despite having taken 3D's side after Mushroom's departure and participating in a webcast as a duo in 2000, Daddy G took a personal break from the band in 2001.

===''100th Window'', Marshall's return and ''Collected'' (2002–2006)===
{{Main|100th Window}}
[[File:Daddy g.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Daddy G|Grant Marshall]] at the [[Eurockéennes]] Festival 2008]]
With Daddy G temporarily no longer involved in the studio, Davidge and 3D 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]]|access-date=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=https://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/massiveattack/100thwindow?q=massive%20attack|title=100th Window|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=17 September 2014}}</ref> The group 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. ''100th Window'' sold over one million copies and was toured extensively (including Queen Square, Bristol—a one-off sell out concert set up in the city centre park, which was seen as a homecoming).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://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|access-date=20 May 2009}}</ref>

Also in 2003, 3D was arrested on allegations involving child pornography, which were reported widely in the media.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2003/feb/27/arts.childprotection|title=Police question musician over child porn|newspaper=The Guardian|date=27 February 2003|access-date=22 May 2009| location=London}}</ref> 3D was soon eliminated as a suspect<ref>{{cite web|url=https://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|access-date=22 May 2009|last1=Barnes|first1=Anthony|last2=Marshall|first2=Nina}}</ref> (although he was charged with [[Ecstasy (drug)|ecstasy]] possession and unable to get a U.S. visa for a while) with Daddy G and fans offering their support. The arrest affected the beginning of the ''100th Window'' tour schedule.

In 2005, 3D and Davidge agreed to an offer from director [[Louis Leterrier]] to score the entire soundtrack for ''[[Unleashed (2005 film)|Danny the Dog]]'', starring [[Jet Li]]. [[Dot Allison]], who had sung with the band on the ''100th Window'' tour, sang the end title track, "Aftersun". 3D and Davidge also scored the soundtrack for the ''[[Bullet Boy]]'' film, with 3D on the end title vocals.

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, 3D 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'' (2007–2011)===
{{Main|Heligoland (album)}}
In 2007, 3D 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 [[State of Palestine|Palestinian]] children. 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=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/feb/15/news.uk|title=Meltdown launches Massive Attack as festival curators|work=The Guardian|date=15 February 2008|access-date=22 May 2009|last=Gibson|first=Owen|location=London}}</ref>

Later that year, 3D 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, 3D completed the score for ''[[44 Inch Chest]]'' with the Insects and [[Angelo Badalamenti]].

Davidge and 3D 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,<ref>{{cite news|title=Kraftwork, Massive Attack to Headline Bestival|url=http://www.gigwise.com/news/49591/kraftwerk-massive-attack-to-headline-bestival|publisher=Gigwise|access-date=13 September 2016}}</ref> and soon after that they were to tour the UK and Europe. In May, 3D's instrumental "Herculaneum", featured in the film ''[[Gomorra (film)|Gomorra]]'', won an Italian award for Best Song. Later that month, 3D and Daddy G picked up a special [[Ivor Novello Awards|Ivor Novello award]] for Outstanding Contribution to British Music.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/268565/massive-attack-to-return-with-huge-world-tour|title=Massive Attack to Return with Huge World Tour|magazine=Billboard|date=21 May 2009|access-date=25 May 2009}}</ref>

On 29 May 2009, Jonny Dollar died of cancer aged 45, survived by his wife and four 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 in "Unfinished Sympathy".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=1037855&c=1|title=Blue Lines producer dies|work=Music Week|access-date=3 June 2009}}</ref>

On 25 August 2009 their new EP, ''[[Splitting the Atom]],'' was announced. The other new tracks on the EP were [[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 album versions.

The fifth album was released on 12 November 2009, called ''[[Heligoland (album)|Heligoland]],'' after the German [[archipelago]] of [[Heligoland]], after a previous project called "Weather Underground" was abandoned.<ref name="auto"/> 3D 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|website=Suicidegirls.com|access-date=10 March 2010}}</ref> The opening track, "Pray For Rain" featured guest vocals of [[TV on the Radio]]'s Tunde Adebimpe. Damon Albarn, Martina Topley-Bird and [[Mazzy Star]] frontwoman [[Hope Sandoval]] also provide guest vocals on the album. 3D said in October 2010, to the Spinner website, that his plans were now for "unorthodox" releases of several EPs in 2011, rather than an album.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bellinger |first=Candy |url=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 |website=Spinnermusic.co.uk |date=30 May 2011 |access-date=21 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728100944/http://www.spinnermusic.co.uk/2010/10/14/massive-attack-north-american-tour/ |archive-date=28 July 2011 }}</ref>

===''Ritual Spirit'' EP and working with Tricky again (2013–2019)===
In a 2013 interview for his first solo art show since 2008, 3D confirmed that not only was new Massive Attack material in the works, but that rumours of a reunion with Tricky were 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 |date=23 May 2013 |publisher=Metro |access-date=2 March 2014}}</ref> Tricky had not been featured on a Massive Attack album since 1994's ''Protection.''

{{blockquote|"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 – but that was fun. They should be on the next album." |sign= Robert "3D" 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]] in 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 |access-date=2 March 2014 |archive-date=1 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140901183322/http://www.newsoficeland.com/entertainment/music/item/319-massive-attack-will-perform-at-secret-solstice-in-iceland-next-summer |url-status=dead }}</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://www.facebook.com/massiveattack/photos/a.163928704256.143181.19159654256/10153121358429257/?type=1&theater |title=Massive Attack announce collaboration with Run the Jewels | publisher=Massive Attack |access-date=21 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Peters|first1=Mitchell|title=Run the Jewels in the Studio With Massive Attack|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/6480213/run-the-jewels-in-the-studio-with-massive-attack|magazine=Billboard|access-date=27 February 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Britton|first1=Luke Morgan|title=Run The Jewels working in studio with Massive Attack|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/run-the-jewels-58-1222041|access-date=27 February 2018|work=NME|date=21 February 2015}}</ref>

On 21 January 2016, the iPhone application "Fantom" was released. The application was developed by a team including 3D and let users hear parts of four new songs by remixing them in real time, using the phone's location, movement, clock, heartbeat, and camera.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}

On 28 January 2016, Massive Attack released a new EP, ''[[Ritual Spirit]]'', which includes the four songs released on Fantom. The EP was written and produced by 3D and new collaborator, Euan Dickinson.

It was their first release since the 2011 ''[[Four Walls / Paradise Circus]]'' collaboration with [[Burial (musician)|Burial]], and the first time since 1994 that Tricky had been featured on Massive Attack content. Scottish hip-hop group [[Young Fathers]], London rapper [[Roots Manuva]] and singer [[Azekel]] also featured on the EP.<ref name="consquenceofsound_2016">{{cite web | url=https://consequence.net/2016/01/stream-massive-attacks-new-ep-ritual-spirit/ | title=Stream: Massive Attack's new EP Ritual Spirit | work=[[Consequence of Sound]] | date=28 January 2016 | access-date=28 January 2016 | author=Young, Alex}}</ref>

On 26 July 2016, Massive Attack previewed three new songs: "Come Near Me", "The Spoils", and "Dear Friend" on the Fantom iPhone application on which they previously previewed the four songs from the ''Ritual Spirit'' EP.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/67078-massive-attack-share-two-new-songs-via-app-listen/ |title=Massive Attack Release New Songs "Come Near Me," "The Spoils," and "Dear Friend" | website=Pitchfork |first=Jazz |last=Monroe |date=26 July 2016 |access-date=26 July 2016}}</ref>

On 29 July 2016, they released a new EP, "[[The Spoils (song)|The Spoils]]", which includes "The Spoils" and "Come Near Me", both previewed on Fantom. The EP was written and produced by Daddy G, without 3D's involvement. "The Spoils" features vocals from American singer-songwriter [[Hope Sandoval]], and "Come Near Me" features British vocalist [[Ghostpoet]]. A music video for "Come Near Me", directed by Ed Morris, and featuring Kosovan actress [[Arta Dobroshi]], was released the same day as the single.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://pitchfork.com/news/67161-watch-massive-attack-and-ghostpoets-new-video-come-near-me/ | title=Massive Attack Release 'Come Near Me' New Video, Plus Hope Sandoval Collaboration | work=Pitchfork | date=29 July 2016 | access-date=29 July 2016}}</ref> The video for "The Spoils", featuring [[Cate Blanchett]] and directed by Australian director [[John Hillcoat]], was released on 9 August 2016.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cate Blanchett stars in Massive Attack's new music video|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/cate-blanchett-stars-in-massive-attacks-new-music-video-for-the-spoils-a7181016.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220512/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/cate-blanchett-stars-in-massive-attacks-new-music-video-for-the-spoils-a7181016.html |archive-date=12 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|newspaper=The Independent|access-date=9 August 2016}}</ref>

On 13 July 2018, Massive Attack cancelled their appearance at the [[Mad Cool]] festival in [[Madrid]] because of sound bleed from [[Franz Ferdinand (band)|Franz Ferdinand]] on a neighbouring stage. The festival offered several solutions to accommodate the band, but Massive Attack rejected them all.<ref>{{cite web |last=Navarro |first=Fernando |date=16 July 2018 |title=The behind-the-scenes story of Massive Attack canceling their Mad Cool gig |url=https://english.elpais.com/elpais/2018/07/16/inenglish/1531739617_522079.html |access-date=25 July 2024 |website=EL PAÍS English }}</ref>

In 2019, Massive Attack went on tour to promote the 20th anniversary rerelease of ''Mezzanine'', billed as "Mezzanine XX1". The American tour dates, originally scheduled for April, were postponed to September due to illness in the band.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Mims |first=Taylor |date=8 March 2019 |title=Massive Attack Postpones 'Mezzanine' Anniversary Shows Due to Illness |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/massive-attack-postpones-mezzanine-anniversary-shows-illness/ |access-date=25 July 2024 |magazine=Billboard }}</ref>

===''Eutopia'' EP and audiovisual releases (2020–present)===
In July 2020, Massive Attack released a political audiovisual EP called ''[[Eutopia (extended play)|Eutopia]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/massive-attack-tease-new-eutopia-ep-with-mysterious-instagram-posts-2704269|title=Massive Attack debut stunning audio-visual EP 'Eutopia'|website=NME|date=10 July 2020|access-date=25 November 2020}}</ref> The three-track fusion was created across five cities during the [[COVID-19]] global lockdown period, and was partly formed by generative algorithmic visuals from AI art pioneer [[Mario Klingemann]] and collaborations with [[Algiers (band)|Algiers]], [[Young Fathers]] and US poet [[Saul Williams]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.publicpressure.org/massive-attacks-eutopia-addresses-our-need-for-a-radical-global-change/|title=Massive Attack's Eutopia addresses our need for a radical global change &#124; Public Pressure|website=Publicpressure.org|date=17 July 2020|access-date=25 November 2020}}</ref> The conceptual project, co-written and produced by 3D and documentary filmmaker [[Mark Donne]], featured strong arguments for global system change from UN Paris Climate Agreement author [[Christiana Figueres]], founder of the [[Universal Basic Income]] Principle Professor [[Guy Standing (economist)|Guy Standing]] and inventor of the US "Wealth Tax" policy Professor [[Gabriel Zucman]]. Each video ends with a quote from Thomas More's ''[[Utopia (More book)|Utopia]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Massive Attack Release New Audiovisual EP Eutopia: Watch |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/massive-attack-release-new-audiovisual-ep-eutopia-watch/ |website=Pitchfork|date=10 July 2020 |access-date=10 July 2020}}</ref>

Massive Attack were scheduled to headline the 2022 edition of the [[Primavera Sound]] music festival in [[Barcelona]], [[Spain]], but an unnamed band member's serious illness forced the band to cancel its appearance with the rest of its European tour.<ref>{{cite web |last=Pearis |first=Bill|title=Massive Attack cancel all 2022 live dates as member recovers from "serious illness" |url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/massive-attack-cancel-all-2022-live-dates-as-member-recovers-from-serious-illness/ |access-date=29 May 2022 |website=BrooklynVegan |date=25 March 2022 }}</ref> [[Angelo Bruschini]], who played guitar on ''Mezzanine'' and ''100th Window'' and had toured with the band since 1995, died of lung cancer on 23 October 2023.<ref>{{cite web |date=24 October 2023 |title=Massive Attack Guitarist Angelo Bruschini Has Died |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2240225/massive-attack-guitarist-angelo-bruschini-has-died/news/ |access-date=24 October 2023 |publisher=Stereogum }}</ref>

The group played their first show in five years on 5 June 2024 in [[Gothenburg]], Sweden, joined by guests [[Elizabeth Fraser]], [[Horace Andy]] and [[Young Fathers]], who all toured with the band during their European shows that summer.<ref>{{cite web |date=6 June 2024 |title=Watch Massive Attack Play Their First Show in Five Years With Special Guests Elizabeth Fraser And Horace Andy |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2266713/watch-massive-attack-play-their-first-show-in-five-years-with-special-guests-elizabeth-fraser-and-horace-andy/news/ |access-date=20 June 2024 |publisher=Stereogum }}</ref> The same line-up played Bristol in August. Billed as a 'Climate Action Accelerator' gig, the group worked with local businesses to reduce the event's [[Environmental issues|environmental impact]].<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Griffith |first=Elfyn |date=2024-08-29 |title=Massive Attack: Act 1.5 Climate Action Accelerator, Bristol – Live Review |url=https://louderthanwar.com/massive-attack-act-1-5-climate-action-accelerator-bristol-live-review/ |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=Louder Than War |language=en-GB}}</ref> Around this time, Massive Attack announced their first American tour since 2019; again to feature Fraser, Andy and Young Fathers.  However, on 11 October 2024, the group cancelled all the US dates less than a week before. They cited "unforeseen circumstances" as the reason.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pearis |first=Bill |date=2024-09-25 |title=Cocteau Twins' Elizabeth Fraser confirmed for Massive Attack's US tour (so are Horace Andy & Young Fathers) |url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/cocteau-twins-elizabeth-fraser-confirmed-for-massive-attacks-north-american-tour-so-are-horace-andy-young-fathers/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-11 |title=Massive Attack Cancel US Shows |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2283741/massive-attack-cancel-us-shows/news/ |access-date=2024-10-11 |publisher=Stereogum |language=en}}</ref>

In a December 2024 interview with ''[[NME]]'', 3D revealed plans to release new music next year that had been ready since 2020 but was held up by record label disputes. He also said the band rejected an offer to play [[Coachella]] 2025 because of its environmental impact.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cochrane |first=Greg |date=2024-12-17 |title=Massive Attack tell us about tackling the climate crisis and new music incoming for 2025 |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/massive-attack-interview-climate-act-1-5-new-music-album-2025-billie-eilish-3823058 |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref>