Natural History is a compilation album by The March Violets, originally released in October 1984, collecting their early singles and BBC Peel Session tracks. Well, thanks to Jungle, it’s once again available on lovely Violet wax (Obvs) for RSD 2026. It also comes with an insert of a one zillion-dollar note.

The band has reformed and is playing dates in 2026, so why not get this out there to help people reacquaint themselves with their post-punk drum machine adjit noise. Sounding like the forerunner to New Order’s Blue Monday on the album’s opener ‘Religious As Hell’, the thick bass lines are certainly of their time as is the punchy drum machine, but that caustic, abrasive guitar tone is majestic, layering the vocals that sound like they were recorded in a big fuckin cave (prob were).

It’s no surprise they were label mates with fellow Leeds noise niks The Sisters Of Mercy and Jungle put out their early singles last year as a very much sought-after set, and there’s no reason to think this won’t have as wide an appeal. Whilst it does sound of its time, the production sounds great sparce yet huge, and that bass thump is excellent ‘Groovin In Green’ is particularly jarring and an epic trip. Imagine the sisters and Bauhaus never happened, March Violets would have been huge. Eleven tracks for your buck so if you want to take a chance then might I suggest getting this in your greasy mitts come RSD.

As a side note if jungle wants to continue this rich vein of form for RSD, can I request some Creaming Jesus for next year please.

Author: Dom Daley