REVIEW: Doctor Who Serpent Crest vinyl box set

With the invent of another Dr Who release via Demon Music Group, the already tried and tested routine of lovingly creative immaculate artwork along with visionary packaging leap years ahead of the game with audio taken directly from the original sources, fans and new followers of the timelord will be jumping for joy. Multi vinyl coloured hefty box set comes with a commentary booklet with deftly drawn pictures, personally signed insert with each piece of vinyl carefully wrapped individually.

Second in the series from the Nest Cottage audio is Tom Bakers adventures via Serpent Crest. Written by Paul Magrs we travel to early Christmas Eve Mrs Wibbsey and the Doctor are captured by SERVO robot soldiers, the now classic Delia Derbyshire theme ringing around the vinyl the hairs on your neck stand on end listening as the opening dramatically goes back to the duo quest to free themselves from the ills of alien mismanagement.

As with any Doctor Who adventure there an abundance of humanoid robots along with other dangerous creatures and inhabitants including Skishtari Mohership who have come hunting for a missing egg. The BBC Radiophonic Workshop produce some of my favourite sound pieces across this vinyl, alluring and spine tingling, the majesty of the sounds are matched by the actors inviting character depictions.

Following the initial introductions four stores unveil themselves featuring the supreme vocal expertise of David Troughton, Michael Jayston, Simon Shepherd, Terrence Hardiman, Joanna David, Sophie Ward, Andrew Sachs, Nerys Hughes and Richard Franklin. The Broken Crown, Aladdin Time and The Hexford Invasion each have their own atmospheric haunting qualities, keeping the listener firmly on the edge of their seats, behind the sofa or running for cover as tales of Orphans, dragons being unleashed whist chaos reigns, with the missing egg making a reappearance, Tom Baker throughout all the numberless debacles stays calm, focused which a smattering of humour, just as you would expect any timelord to do.

My hat is doffed towards this latest sensational release, an absolute must for any budding time traveller.

Serpent Crest can be purchased via the following link