This film itself is a Luc Besson martial arts thriller starring Jet Li, Bob Hoskins and Morgan Freeman. The Bristol-based band, currently comprising sole original member Robert Del Naja along with Neil Davidge, were personally invited by Besson and the movie’s director Louis Leterrier to record the soundtrack. Which they duly did, over an 11-week period. 

Edgier (as ever) than a dodecahedron, Del Naja and Davidge manage to convey the brooding intensity of the film. Jet Li plays the Danny of the title, a slave since childhood who has been trained to fight in illegal gladiator-esque contests. (Mis)Treated as a dog by owner Bart, as depicted by Bob Hoskins, Danny is even forced to wear a collar.

On 'Atta Boy', the duo invokes the music of Nine Inch Nails whilst 'I Am Home' is the sound of The Prodigy at their kick-ass liveliest. Overall, the tenor is as dark as anything released by Björk or Tricky. It’s certainly a return to form for Massive Attack, following the lukewarm reception afforded to last album 100th Window.

21 songs and 52 minutes 37 seconds long, this soundtrack represents a second masterpiece for Robert Del Naja and co, 13 years after the band’s first, debut Blue Lines. Danny The Dog? Nothing less than the hound’s gonads.

(4½/5)

Release Date: 11 October 2004

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Danny The Dog