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A person wears a respirator mask and dark sunglasses, holding a spray paint can. They stand in front of a wall covered in graffiti.

Publication: A book documenting the epic visual history of Massive Attack

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Date
4 November 2013

Apart from giving the early morning dancers of the 90s something to dance along to while they gnawed their own faces off, Massive Attack also had a super-big impact on the art world. This hefty (400 page) new publication produced by the Vinyl Factory documents the visual history of the band through the artwork of Massive Attack founder, Robert del Naja. Robert’s artwork and time spent with notorious Bristol art collective and sound system The Wild Bunch was a stepping stone in 90s counter-culture, and to see his importance reflected in such an enthralling book is a true honour. Typically, The Vinyl Factory have also released a special version of this book which is kind of a must-have for any Massive Attack fan, or even anyone who was in their early 20s in the 90s and can actually remember it.

Three cassette tapes are stacked vertically against a plain grey background. Each tape has a handwritten title in a graffiti style: “HIP HOP”, “AFRIKA ISLAM” and “UNDERGROUND”.
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The Vinyl Factory: 3D and the art of Massive Attack

A circular red and white sticker features a 3D typographic logo for “The Dug Out Club”. The outer red border reads “I DON’T DRINK & DRIVE I CATCH THE COURTESY BUS”.
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The Vinyl Factory: 3D and the art of Massive Attack

A painting of two stylised figures against a bright yellow background. One figure is black with white eyes, and the other is white with black eyes and an open mouth.
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The Vinyl Factory: 3D and the art of Massive Attack

A graphic poster on an olive green background featuring a black diamond shape. Inside the diamond is a flame icon above the number “3”, with the word “attack” written in bold lowercase letters across the centre.
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The Vinyl Factory: 3D and the art of Massive Attack

A grey Maxell floppy disk against a plain white background. Handwritten in red ink on the label is the text “RISING SUN V2”.
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The Vinyl Factory: 3D and the art of Massive Attack

A person in overalls paints a large, abstract mural on a weathered city wall. To the right, a nun walks past a shop with a “Fish & Chips” and “Coca-Cola” sign.
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The Vinyl Factory: 3D and the art of Massive Attack

Four people sit and stand outside a brick building, holding spray paint cans. They wear casual 1980s-style clothing, including oversized sweatshirts and a black hat with sunglasses.
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The Vinyl Factory: 3D and the art of Massive Attack

A DJ in a checked shirt and beanie stands behind two turntables, headphones around their neck. They are surrounded by a group of people in a dimly lit room.
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The Vinyl Factory: 3D and the art of Massive Attack

A design proof for a Massive Attack album cover featuring a symmetrical black ink blot on a pale background. The band name “Massive Attack” is printed across the centre in bold red capitals. Handwritten production notes in the margin specify colours such as “dirty white” and “dirty red”. A reference number “Ref: 18631” is printed in the bottom right corner.
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The Vinyl Factory: 3D and the art of Massive Attack

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About the Author

Liv Siddall

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Liv joined It’s Nice That as an intern in 2011 and worked across online, print and events, and was latterly Features Editor before leaving in May 2015.

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