This site uses two first-party cookies: one to keep you signed in, and one that remembers how you first arrived here (for our own basic stats, never shared with anyone else). No third-party tracking or advertising cookies.
The group was formed in New Cross, south-east London in late 1981. All unemployed, and with listening tastes ranging from soul to classical music, they searched out whatever they could find to make music with, and for the most part this consisted of scrap metal salvaged from waste ground and derelict factories. The reason had as much to do with lack of money as it had to do with a dislike for… Read moreconventional rock instruments. Originally, they used bass guitars and other conventional instruments, but these were fairly rapidly dropped as they obtained more industrial percussion, and found that these created a stronger and more consistent sound. Conceptually they made a stand against Thatcherism, Totalism and reactionary forces, prominently supporting the Miners' Strike in 1984 for example.
Besides using unconventional tools demanding physical and psychical strength from audience and performers alike they used more and more unconventional settings and presentations. Under the banner of Test Department Productions they staged various impressing and large scale events with befriended artists like 'The Unacceptable Face Of Freedom' or 'Goddodin'. In 1992 an offshot - NVA - was formed in Glasgow focusing on staged productions while the remaining core started to focus on music. In 2015 the archive documentary 'Total State Machine' as Book with CD / DVD was releaseed.
With 'A Good Night Out' they parted ways with Some Bizarre in late 1987 but kept their Ministry Of Power label, afterwards partly distributed by Jungle.
The rights for some of their music and can been seen listed as copyright holders be seen on the Test Dept. page.
The whole trance scene, connected. Real artists, no AI music.
Catalogue data provided by Discogs. This application uses the Discogs API but is not affiliated with, sponsored or endorsed by Discogs. “Discogs” is a trademark of Zink Media, LLC. Additional catalogue data from MusicBrainz.
Chart and release information referencing Beatport is shown for reference only; this application is not affiliated with, sponsored or endorsed by Beatport LLC, and “Beatport” is a trademark of its respective owner. Cover art and track matching also draw on the Spotify platform; this application is not affiliated with, sponsored or endorsed by Spotify AB, and “Spotify” is a trademark of its respective owner.
Get the appScan with your phone camera to put TranceHQ on your home screenHow it works →
TranceHQ on your phoneFree, no app store needed
We use cookies to keep you signed in and, if you accept, to see which parts of TranceHQ people use so we can make it better. Never sold, never used for ads.
