Current 93 is an eclectic British experimental music group, working since the early 1980s in folk-based musical forms. The band was founded in 1982 by David Tibet.
Tibet has been the only constant in the group, though Steven Stapleton (Nurse with Wound) has appeared on nearly every Current 93 release. Michael Cashmore has also been a constant contributor since Thunder Perfect Mind.
Douglas P. of Death In June has played on well over a dozen Current 93 releases, and Steve Ignorant of Crass, Nick Cave, Björk, Andrew W.K., Will Oldham, Ben Chasny, Rose McDowall, Tiny Tim, Marc Almond and John Balance of Coil have also lent their talents over the years.
Tibet is fond of the works of American writer Thomas Ligotti, and invited him to collaborate with Current 93. Current 93 have released some twenty albums, and many singles, as well as having been a guest on many of the above listed artists’ records, and others’ such as Nature and Organisation and The Hafler Trio.
Current 93 | Since Yesterday
httpv://https://youtube.com/watch?v=481DlxGYph4
Much of Current 93’s early work was similar to late 1970s and early 1980s industrial music: abrasive tape loops, droning synthesizer noises and Tibet’s distorted, excoriating vocals. This early work became influential with the goth scene. Later works found Tibet mostly casting off such trappings in favor of a more organic sound, labeled by some as “apocalyptic folk” music, occasionally featuring his sinister nursery rhyme-influenced singing and primarily acoustic folk-styled music.
Tibet’s lyrics have been fairly consistent, regardless of delivery: The earlier recordings reflect his preoccupation with death, Christ, mysticism, Aleister Crowley, Tibetan Buddhism, Gnosticism, runes, swastikas, Noddy, The Wicker Man, and a variety of occult notions. The later to present-day period of Current 93’s recordings increasingly reflect Tibet’s interest in Christian mysticism. Tibet has stated that he now identifies as a Christian.
Literary influences include Lautreamont’s Les Chants de Maldoror, the Bible, The Poetic Eddas, Francis Parker Yockey’s Imperium, Hildegard von Bingen, John Dee, Heptarchia Mystica, The Thunder, Perfect Mind, William Blake.
Others are Louis Wain, writer Thomas Ligotti, occult British author Arthur Machen (originator of the title “The Inmost Light”), M.R. James’s various ghost stories, The Cloud of Unknowing, Count Eric Stenbock, and Russell Hoban’s Riddley Walker.
Digital in Berlin highly recommended! Win 2×2 Tickets for the Concert! Just send a mail to win@digitalinberlin.de
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Current 93 LIVE
presented by Digital in Berlin
Monday, 09 April 2012 | 20:00 CET
Volksbühne | Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz | 10178 Berlin/Mitte
brainwashed.com/c93 | volksbuehne-berlin.de
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