The repetitive, droning, mostly electronic music of Newcastle natives :zoviet*france: often flirted with ambient and industrial textures in a low-budget atmosphere, and was often laden with effects. The majority of the group's extensive discography was recorded for the British label Red Rhino; most of its LPs featured packaging even stranger than the music inside.

:zoviet*france: debuted in 1982 with the 12" Hessians and recorded steadily up to 1990; highlights of this period include Norsch (1983), the retrospective Popular Soviet Songs and Youth Music (1985), Misfits, Loony Tunes and Squalid Criminals (1986), A Flock of Rotations (1987), and Shouting at the Ground (1988). A long hiatus preceded the release of 1995's Collusion, although :zoviet*france: remained prolific throughout the latter half of the decade. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide