Above the Ruins
History
This was a studio-project band created by Tony Wakeford in 1984. Previously Tony Wakeford was known for being a member of the band Death in June from who he was fired for his support of the National Front. After Above The Ruins Tony went on to form Sol Invictus in 1987 and distanced himself away from nationalist politics. Later he denied he had ever been a member of the National Front (NF).
Tony Wakeford was the lead vocals, guitar and bass and although the band members were never listed other members included Mark Sutherland (Skrewdriver) on drums, Ian Read, Gary Smith (No Remorse) and Liz Grey.
The band name derived from the Italian fascist philosopher Julius Evola’s book “Men Among The Ruins”. The musical sound wasn’t Oi! and wasn’t Rock Against Communism (RAC) either but was part of the 1980’s pro-White / Nationalist punk music scene developing alongside nationalist politics of the National Front and splinter groups.
Their album ‘Songs Of The Wolf’ was recorded in 1984 and distributed by PO box and via the National Front bookshop in Croydon, London. It was also unofficially released twice. First by First Floor Records which was a child label of Rock-O-Rama Records then secondly by World Serpent Records. The latter is seen as more of an official release by some but still misses out track 02 – Storm Clouds Over Europe.
There are rumors that Ian Stuart was somehow involved with the recording but Tony Wakeford has always denied this. But given Mark Sutherland is listed as being involved with the band and was a music producer then it could be more than likely Ian Stuart may have been involved.
Discography
Official Productions
1984 – Songs of The Wolf – Grimnir – GR1 – UK – Cassette
Bootlegs
1988 – Songs of The Wolf – First Floor Records – FF8 – Germany – LP vinyl
1995 – Songs of The Wolf – World Serpent Records – ATR1 – UK – CD
1995 – Storm Clouds Over Europe – Anthropophagus Records – AR002 – USA – LP vinyl
2018 – Songs of The Wolf – Infinite Fog Productions – IF85 – Russia – CD and vinyl LP.
Samplers
1985 – No Surrender! – Rock-O-Rama Records – RRR52 – Germany – LP vinyl – (Killing Zone)
1991 – No Surrender! Volume 1 & 2 – Rock-O-Rama Records – RCD123 – Germany – CD – (Killing Zone)
Track Lists
1984 – Songs Of The Wolf
01 Waiting
02 Stormclouds Over Europe
03 Roses
04 Last Rite
05 Under Western Skies
06 Song Of The Wolf
07 100 Flags
08 Progress
09 Make Us Strong
1995 – Songs Of The Wolf
01 Waiting
02 Roses
03 Last Rite
04 Under Western Skies
05 Song Of The Wolf
06 100 Flags
07 Progress
08 Make Us Strong
Note the unofficial CD and vinyl both miss out track 02. Stormclouds Over Europe.
1995 – Storm Clouds Over Europe
01. Waiting
02. Roses
03. Last Rite
04. Under Western Skies
05. Song of the Wolf
06. Hundred Flags
07. Progress
08. Make Us Strong
09. Killing Zone
10. Where the Crosses Grow
11. The Stones
12. Believe Me
Tracks 10,11 and 12 are listed as Sol Invictus.