Mezzanine is the title of the third full-length album from Bristol-based trip-hop innovators Massive Attack. Released in 1998, it marked the moment when the dark undercurrents which had always been present in the collective's music came to the fore. Overall, the album was highly acclaimed by many critics. Discordant rock guitars are featured on several tracks, allegedly against the wishes of founding member Andrew Vowles (aka Mushroom), who left the band shortly after the album's release, citing creative differences.

Portishead is the second album from the band of the same name, released on September 30,1997 on Go! Discs Records. It presents a darker, grainier sound than their previous record. It received less attention from the media but managed to reach #2 on the UK Album Chart and #21 on the Billboard 200 chart. It is the longest of the band's three albums. The album's sound differed from Dummy, the main differences being that much of the music was composed and recorded by the band, then pressed to vinyl.