The Great Escape – Blanck Mass

When you imagine one half of progressive electro titans F**k Buttons performing late on a Friday, you’d assume a multi-layered, ear-drum destroying dance blitz to really get the night started. Instead, Ben Power’s new pseudonym is a much more subdued affair. Taking the sonic creativity and slow build-up that makes his more famous project so unique, Blanck Mass proved to be an unlikely choice at this time. Quiet soundscapes building to beautifully billowing ambient drones sounded too much like the 6am chill-out room act. A static, laptop-bound stage presence and too intricate (albeit sometimes striking) beats left a quiet crowd clapping politely rather than dancing.

Pavilion Theatre, Brighton Dome, 11 May 2012
Rating:
Nick Aldwinckle