Sol Invictus were a British neofolk band formed by Tony Wakeford in 1987. Wakeford had been the sole constant member of the group since its inception, although numerous musicians have contributed and collaborated with him under the Sol Invictus name over the years.
History
Prior to forming Sol Invictus, Tony Wakeford had co-founded the band Death in June. In early 1984, Wakeford had been a supporter of the National Front (UK), and was fired from Death in June for "bringing his 'right-wing leanings into the group'. Subsequently, he formed Above the Ruins, a post-punk band which became controversial due to its association with right-wing politics. In 1990, Wakeford formed his own record label, Tursa. With distribution by World Serpent Distribution, Tursa released numerous albums by Sol Invictus, starting with Trees in Winter. Wakeford initially denied ever having been a member of the National Front or Above the Ruins, but later admitted to having been a member of both.
Musical style
According to AllMusic biographer Paul Simpson, "Sol Invictus is one of the most prolific and influential bands associated with neo-folk or apocalyptic folk". The band's music combines acoustic guitar playing and "neo-classical instrumentation" with elements of industrial music. The band's lyrics display a pessimistic, apathetic view towards modern society.