FLUXEUROPA: WORLD SERPENT DISTRIBUTION

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FluxEuropa has suspended active publication and no longer requires items for review. The site is, however, being maintained as an archive and you can still post to the Gigboard and order Amazon products which helps to subsidise its continuation.

WORLD SERPENT DISTRIBUTION

UPDATE

Terra Serpentes is WSD's first compilation album. GREG BEAR writes: It seems I have been writing myself hoarse extolling the virtues of this fabulous British record label when I could merely have sat back and waited for this incredible release! 26 artists of considerable and varied talents are represented here in order to help you make your acquaintance with World Serpent.

Some names ought to be familiar: Chris and Cosey, Coil, Current 93, Nurse With Wound, Sol Invictus and even the inimitable Tiny Tim are pretty much part of the contemporary musicologist's psyche.

Other artist's whose presence is included for those who have delved a little include: Martyn Bates, Elijah's Mantle, Lemon Kittens, Boyd Rice and the inevitable Death In June/Current 93/Sol Invictus associates: Kapo!, Nature And Organisation, Scorpion Wind, Somewhere in Europe and Strength Through Joy.

Some of the remainder of the bands inhabit the arcane end of the musical spectrum, and, as such are a learning experience for this journalist: Arkkon (an exercise in drones), Bryin Dall (an acoustic piece of moribund beauty), Roger Doyle (a collage of quiet noises) et al.

As all the tracks are "previously unheard and unreleased" completists will simply have to own Coil's excellent 'Heartworms', Current 93's sublime 'Frolicking' or the Shock Headed Peters' 'Oblivion Extract', with its unrepentant boisterous rockism.

Rik - 26 June 1997

WSD have also issued a 29-track album of traditional English folk songs recorded by Dave and Toni Arthur in the late 1960s. Stalwarts of the folk revival, the duo specialised in "strange and magical tales". Besides unaccompanied singing, Dave plays melodeon, Toni concertina, and they are joined by Barry Dransfield on fiddle.

Rik - 10 June 1997

WORLD SERPENT DISTRIBUTION was formed in the late 80s and is co-owned by David Gibson, Alan Trench and Alison Webster. It began operation by distributing Current 93, Death In June, Nurse With Wound and Sol Invictus. The music press once described Sol as drinking from the same "poisoned chalice" as C93 and DIJ, and at one time WSD was more or less synonymous with this 'apocalyptic folk' genre. Although there are now many more artists, labels and distributors in this field, World Serpent remains its pivotal focus.

Contrary to its previously luddite reputation, the company now has its own Website.

Rik - 1995. Last amended 10 November 1999.

SERPENT RADIO

Now broadcasting 24 hours a day/7 days a week, Serpent Radio contains a randomly programmed stream of all current World Serpent Artists from the catalogue. It's great for tuning in at work or at home while on the computer, for those who are already fans of the roster or curious as where to start. The radio station is available for streams both using Win Amp and Real Player. http://www.live365.com/cgi-bin/directory.cgi?autostart=worldserpent