:zoviet*france: is an idiosyncratic collective of anonymous postindustrialists, dronologists, and pseudo-ethnomusicologists. Their investigations have taken them into semi-fictional cultures where reality is not easily located - although oft-forgotten historical markers, such as beachhead bunkers, occasionally punctuate their cover artwork - and often slips into the realm of the waking dream. Having secluded themselves in Newcastle, England since their inception in 1982, :Zoviet*France: have developed a radical relationship with the cheap technologies of old-fashioned tape recorders, homemade acoustic instruments, primitive looping and sampling devices, and basic dub trickery. From these machines, the collective has crafted a distinctly unique vocabulary of postindustrial sonic hypnosis. Just as :Zoviet*France:'s sound was alchemic reconfigurations of inexpensive technologies, their vinyl packaging literally covered their sounds with aluminum, roofing shingles, and porcelain. Adding to their mystery, linear notes are precious few and hard to find, to the point of 6-point typeface printed on the spine of Rorschach-like fold-out illustrations. In fact, during the pre-CD era their vinyl packaging usually evoked as much mystery and fascination as the music itself.

In spite of the digital polish resulting from their usage of hard disk editing on their latest records, :Zoviet*France: has continuously fashioned a beautiful eeriness with unplaced signifiers, sonorous echoes, and hazy driftscapes. There are no political, social or psycho-acoustic attributions to be found on a :Zoviet*France: product, which differentiates them from the sometimes didactic authorings by ambio-noise mates The Hafler Trio, Muslimgause, Esplendor Geometrico and others. Perhaps the most fulfilling aspect of purchasing a :Zoviet*France: recording is its very absence of anything to latch your brain on to. One is left to his/her own mental formations as the artwork and music engage one to explore, sans reference, those pre-logical meanderings so much of this genre of music is all about.

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