The members of influential Bristol trip-hop group Massive Attack have dwindled in numbers throughout the years, with core members Andrew “Mushroom” Vowles and Grant “Daddy G” Marshall dropping away from the project, leaving it solely in the hands of Robert “3D” del Naja. In fact, after a marginally received soundtrack project, Danny the Dog (Virgin, 2004), it seemed to much of the world that the Wild Bunch would probably be calling it quits and going out with a whimper instead of a bang.

But del Naja obviously has other plans and is working on Massive Attack's fifth proper studio album in 2006. Describing it as a “gothic soul” album to fans on www.massiveattack.com, del Naja says that the as-yet-untitled record will feature contributions from Massive's usual cast of characters, including Horace Andy, Liz Fraser, Beth Orton and Terry Callier. “We have recorded about five tracks and have vocals to put down on about 15 by Christmas,” del Naja wrote. “And thinking ahead to the tour, [we] will be making changes, as every other supergroup has bitten the hell out of the 100th Window experience.”