It is a pleasure to receive TEST DEPT at thy altar.
From the outset, Test Dept were lauded for their innovative use of found objects, scrap metal and industrial detritus as instruments. The group’s unique blend of aggressive percussion, noise, distorted samples and experimental soundscapes also reflected their commitment to challenging the status quo, most famously in 1984 when they ventured into the industrial communities of Britain to perform live with the South Wales Striking Miner’s Choir, raising money and awareness for that cause.
Envisioning themselves as part of a broader cultural movement exploring the intersection of art and social change, their collaborative instinct led to the formation of The Ministry of Power, an umbrella organisation for working collectively on multidisciplinary projects that integrated music, movement, theatre, film and political activism. This led to large scale multi-media productions in disused industrial spaces and unusual environments.
2015 saw the publication of an extensive book entitled ‘Total State Machine’ that chronicled Test Dept’s history, philosophy and work, while the ‘Disturbance’ album issued in 2019 incorporated expansive electronic production. In 2023 the group was commissioned by the arts organisation A/POLITICAL to create the new large-scale work ‘Furnace’ in an old iron foundry in southern France.
2025 was a pivotal year, as they linked-up with Canadian label Artoffact Records to commence an extensive back catalogue reissue campaign, the first fruits of which was the 4CD set “Industrial Overture” covering their earliest material and included rare and unreleased recordings including 2 John Peel sessions.
They also re-emerged with a new approach to live performances: an electronically-focussed set which, with its incorporation of film and acoustic and percussive instrumentation, loses none of the power and impact that is synonymous with Test Dept.
A new album is currently being worked on during 2026 with further reissues and live appearances planned.
For live booking inquiries and offerings worldwide, please contact [email protected]. Thank you.
@test_dept_official@artoffact_records #altaragency
OLIVER HO ARCHIVES VOL.3 - THE TRIBAL YEARS. Available exclusively from my Bandcamp page now. A compilation of tribal heavy hitters from the 90s and early 2000s mainly from the META label. Go to link in bio !! #techno #oliverho For bookings contact @altaragency
A big thank you to everyone who came down early to catch me during the Ireland and UK tour dates.
Big love to @deathinvegasmusic and @chalkband . It was an honour to be invited.
And of course, a special thank you to @altaragency for all the hard work and patience.
Next up:
24/05 - LIVE - @eruptionsfutures , Clermont-Ferrand
29/05 - LIVE - @magasin4.be , Brussels
Madrid 19-06: @oliverho.brokenenglish.club@studio76_club
Oliver Ho es uno de esos artistas que no necesita presentación.
Solo deciros que viene con la excavadora a demostrar quién manda.
Su puño de hierro promete ir sacando tu parte más primitiva hasta que te entregues por completo al frenesí del baile.
¿Te lo vas a perder?
❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥 Tickets link in bio ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
LIVE action taken from London - November 2025 for @kaoslondon • I’ll be performing for Lee again on Saturday evening in Athens at @astronclub
Worldwide bookings contact Antonia @altaragency
Video by @7.62.34
Another video of my OLIVER HO HYBRID set at the amazing Freedom Festival in Medellin. This video features an old Meta track ‘Sculpture’ Currently booking shows for South America, 2nd and 3rd weekends of December. For all bookings contact @altaragency
This Saturday Samuel Kerridge returns to KAOS x ASTRON to perform his brilliant new album Memoir of Disintegration live.
Across eleven tracks, Kerridge entwines complex polyrhythmic sequences, erects vast industrial textures of tangible roughness, and applies granular sound treatments that flirt with the territories of noise.
All of this framed within a corrosive atmosphere of oppressive and hypnotic beauty.
