Sol Invictus (band)
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| Sol Invictus | |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | England |
| Genre(s) | Folk Progressive rock Neofolk Post-industrial |
| Years active | 1987–present |
| Label(s) | Tursa Records |
| Associated acts | Orchestra Noir The Triple Tree The Wardrobe |
| Website | www.tursa.com |
| Members | |
| Tony Wakeford Renee Rosen Andrew King Caroline Jago Lesley Malone Guy Harries M |
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Sol Invictus is an English neofolk and neoclassical group fronted by Tony Wakeford. Beginning with electronic experimentation combined with folk-influenced guitar work, the sound of Sol Invictus has become considerably more neoclassical over the years and has had a large amount of influence on the development of neofolk music. Wakeford has been the sole constant member of the group since its inception, although numerous musicians have contributed and collaborated with Wakeford under the Sol Invictus moniker over the years. The most recent line up has seen a return to a more percussive folk sound and with the new addition of laptop-generated loops. Wakeford is married to his American violinist Renee Rosen.
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[edit] Overview
Wakeford was an original member of the English political punk band Crisis from 1977 until the band's termination in 1980. Crisis played many concerts for Rock Against Racism and The Anti-Nazi League reflecting his then membership of the International Socialists and later The Socialist Workers Party. He then formed Death In June with fellow Crisis founder Douglas P. He was asked to leave Death In June because of musical differences and his membership, at the time, of the British National Front. Wakeford has had no connection or interest in such ideas for 20 or more years, and has described his membership as probably the worst decision of his life.[1]
Wakeford then recorded one album as Above the Ruins, showcasing a post-punk and dark rock sound influenced by his previous work with Death In June. After taking a few years off, he returned to music and formed Sol Invictus in 1987, working with Ian Read and Karl Blake.
Wakeford formed his own label, Tursa, to release his material and the music of other artists. The World Serpent Distribution Company previously distributed this material worldwide. Tursa is now distributed in Europe by Dark Vinyl, and in North America by Strange Fortune. In July 2007 the label was re-launched as a partnership with Israeli/USA producer and musician Reeve Malka. The labels roster includes Sol Invictus, Orchestra Noir, The Triple Tree, The Wardrobe,Zunroyz, Andrew King, and Tony's solo work.
Wakeford has described Sol Invictus as a "cabaret band from Hell for the fin-de-siècle" and has referred to his work as folk noir. Beginning with a rough, bleak, primitive sound, the band's music gradually evolved toward a lush, refined style, picking up classically-trained players such as Eric Roger, Matt Howden, and Sally Doherty. In the mid-1990s, Sol Invictus spun off a side project called l'Orchestre Noir to explore an even more classically influenced direction. In 2006 Wakeford changed the name to Orchestra Noir with a new line up and musical direction.
[edit] Etymology
The name Sol Invictus derives from the pre-Christian Rome-based cult of the same name. Wakeford chose the name, which is Latin for 'the unconquerable Sun', because "The sun has always been an important symbol and as the cult of Sol Invictus nearly defeated Christianity at one point it seemed a good name to use. I also love the sound of Latin."
[edit] Imagery
The band's imagery and lyrical content, in its early days, was influenced by traditionalism and antipathy towards the modern world and materialism. A superficial interest was the Italian philosopher Julius Evola who Wakeford admits to "shamelessly stealing from" for song titles even though he found his books "unreadable". A more serous influence was the poet Ezra Pound, "despite, not because of, his anti-Semitism". The band also had considerable interest in heathen and Mithraist themes, often reflecting an explicit antipathy to Christianity: the 1997 album The Blade incorporates an Odinic chant, Gealdor, into its varied laments. Wakeford tended to write from a melancholic position of doomed Romanticism, which lamented the loss of beauty, love, and culture. He saw the American influence on global culture as very damaging to Europe, something he expresses with black humour in the song "Death of the West", from the album of the same name. The later albums have seen a turn to a more personal writing style, as interest in, what Wakeford calls "knee-jerk anti-Americanism and anti-Christianity" has been rejected.
Sol Invictus album artwork has often showcased the expressionist paintings of American artist, musician and friend Tor Lundvall.
[edit] Discography
| Year | Title | Format, Special Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Against the Modern World | Mini-EP |
| 1989 | In the Jaws of the Serpent | Live LP |
| 1989 | Lex Talionis | Part of box set with Current 93 and Nurse With Wound |
| 1989 | Fields | 12" with Current 93 and Nurse With Wound |
| 1990 | Sol Veritas Lux | CD |
| 1990 | Abattoirs of Love | 7" |
| 1990 | Lex Talionis | CD |
| 1990 | Trees in Winter | CD/LP |
| 1991 | The Killing Tide | CD/LP |
| 1992 | Death In June/Current 93/Sol Invictus | Live CD with Death In June and Current 93 |
| 1992 | Looking for Europe | 7" |
| 1992 | The Lamp of the Invisible Light | 7" compilation track |
| 1992 | Somewhere in Europe/See the Dove Fall | 7" |
| 1992 | Let Us Prey | Live CD |
| 1992 | King & Queen | CD |
| 1994 | The Death of the West | CD |
| 1995 | In the Rain | CD |
| 1997 | The Blade | CD |
| 1998 | In Europa | CD |
| 1998 | All Things Strange and Rare | Compilation CD |
| 1999 | In a Garden Green | CD |
| 2000 | Trieste | CD |
| 2000 | The Hill of Crosses | CD |
| 2000 | Eve | 7" |
| 2001 | Brugge | Live concert, 1996-02-03 |
| 2002 | Thrones | CD |
| 2003 | The Giddy Whirls of Centuries | Compilation CD |
| 2004 | The Angel | Compilation CD |
| 2005 | The Devil's Steed | CD |
| 2007 | In The Rain | CD |
