The Trial of John Africa

The Trial of John Africa was released on 13th May 2025, 40 years after the killing of John Africa, together with members of his extended family.

The track is driven by a distorted bass and synth riff over a constantly shifting rhythm, punctuated by Carlo’s insistent refrain of “shut down” over a shotgun blast of snare. This is a pounding electroclash-inspired track perfect for darker dancefloors and DJ sets, culminating in a wall of howling guitar feedback and sampled breathing.

John Africa was the leader of MOVE, a revolutionary organisation, inspired by principles and practices based in the anarchist and primitivist tradition and dedicated to resisting racism. The Africa family were killed on 13th May 1985 when bombs were dropped on their home.