Current 93

lucifer_sam · 12-20-2009, 10:35 PM

I honestly don't know what took me so long to get into this band, it's some of the most wonderful experimental music I've heard. (There's no thread on this band, really? This shit is right up ca's alley.)

For those of you not in the loop, it's largely a fellow by the name of David Tibet and he's been doing this project forever (or at least since 1982). He's released music across all spectra of genre: from early nihilist tape-loop ramblings to neofolk to some hauntingly beautiful piano compositions. He's collaborated with Stephen Stapleton (

) a number of times, among other legends of the onerous and unusual. I suppose a good approximation of his music would be Sun City Girls meets Bauhaus, but his music broaches the accessible numerous times.

I'm probably not doing Current 93 nearly enough justice with this post, I've only digested a few of his albums so far, but already this guy is starting to grow on me. His discography is enormous, but here's a few of the records that have really grabbed me so far:

Dogs Blood Rising (1984)
Thunder Perfect Mind (1992)
Soft Black Stars (1999)
Black Ships Ate The Sky (2006)

Any other fans out there?

Astronomer · 12-21-2009, 01:09 AM

I have to admit I am not really that familiar with Current 93 but I do believe I've stumbled across a few collaborations with Nick Cave.

I especially love this for some reason, I think it's beautiful:

Like you said, the discography is enormous so I'll have to check out some of the albums that grabbed you... sounds like brilliantly experimental stuff.

4ZZZ · 12-21-2009, 05:58 AM

Got into Current 93 about 18 months ago via a blog that presented Calling For Vanished Faces.

Here is the allmusic review.

Quote:

This double-CD set is a fantastic compendium that chronicles 15 years of Current 93's work, with leader David Tibet selecting his picks from the group's extensive -- if considerably obscure -- back catalog. Hence, the double-CD set is vital to those who missed out on Current 93's ultra-limited LP and CD releases over the years, which have scarcely made it outside of the mail-order faction that surrounds the obscure British group. At over 140 minutes of music and with 15 songs on each CD, the collection gives a great overview of the group from its early industrial beginnings through the minimal "apocalyptic folk" of the late '90s. Listeners seeking an introduction to the expansive and diverse world of Current 93 should look no further, as there is an abundance of material here to aid in fathoming the extraordinary world of this underground group. Tibet has culled the choice cuts from the albums Dogs Blood Rising, Nature Unveiled, Lucifer Over London, Beauty Reaps the Blood of Solitude, Of Ruine or Some Blazing Starre, and All the Pretty Little Horses from the Current 93 catalog exclusively, with the exception of one outstanding track from the Spiral Insana collaboration with Nurse With Wound's Steve Stapleton. This awesome collection includes "The Starres Are Marching Sadly Home," sung by British folk legend Shirley Collins.

Fine stuff for those of us with an experimental bent.

jackhammer · 12-22-2009, 06:09 PM

It's a name I have seen bandied around a lot by Urban and lucifer himself. Reminds me of the band Death In June (not musically) in that they have been producing music for a long time without gaining any decent exposure.

When I'm through with my backlog of albums (when isn't there a backlog?) I will delve into them as well as Death In June.

Urban Hat€monger ? · 12-22-2009, 06:11 PM

Swastikas For Goddy is a good starting place as any.

I've been into this band about 5 years, I'm still only getting started.

cardboard adolescent · 12-31-2009, 12:14 AM

then kill ceasar!

clutnuckle · 01-30-2010, 09:02 PM

I have a special plan for this world.

dankrsta · 09-10-2010, 12:22 PM

I've listened to a few Current 93 albums before (Dogs Blood Rising, All the Pretty Little Horses, Swastikas for Noddy and Thunder Perfect Mind). I barely scratched the surface of that enormous discography. But, today, for the first time, I heard Nature Unveiled. Oh god...my head is still buzzing. It's one of those rare instances when music completely exhausts me. I mean it in a good way. Intense stuff.

bob. · 09-15-2010, 10:53 AM

have you read Les Chants de Maldoror?

if i remember right that book had a major influence on Nature Unveiled

edit* listening to the entire "Inmost Light Trilogy" is quite an experience also

~~James~~ · 09-15-2010, 11:43 AM

I love this band, they have loads of stuff out butn everything i've heard has been great. Which is quite an achievement.

12-20-2009, 10:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
lucifer_sam Unrepentant Ass-Mod Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 3,921	Current 93 I honestly don't know what took me so long to get into this band, it's some of the most wonderful experimental music I've heard. (There's no thread on this band, really? This shit is right up ca's alley.) For those of you not in the loop, it's largely a fellow by the name of David Tibet and he's been doing this project forever (or at least since 1982). He's released music across all spectra of genre: from early nihilist tape-loop ramblings to neofolk to some hauntingly beautiful piano compositions. He's collaborated with Stephen Stapleton () a number of times, among other legends of the onerous and unusual. I suppose a good approximation of his music would be Sun City Girls meets Bauhaus, but his music broaches the accessible numerous times. I'm probably not doing Current 93 nearly enough justice with this post, I've only digested a few of his albums so far, but already this guy is starting to grow on me. His discography is enormous, but here's a few of the records that have really grabbed me so far: Dogs Blood Rising (1984) Thunder Perfect Mind (1992) Soft Black Stars (1999) Black Ships Ate The Sky (2006) Any other fans out there? __________________ first.am

12-21-2009, 01:09 AM	#2 (permalink)
Astronomer we are stardust Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 2,894	I have to admit I am not really that familiar with Current 93 but I do believe I've stumbled across a few collaborations with Nick Cave. I especially love this for some reason, I think it's beautiful: Like you said, the discography is enormous so I'll have to check out some of the albums that grabbed you... sounds like brilliantly experimental stuff. __________________

12-22-2009, 06:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
jackhammer Ba and Be. Join Date: May 2007 Location: This Is England Posts: 17,331	It's a name I have seen bandied around a lot by Urban and lucifer himself. Reminds me of the band Death In June (not musically) in that they have been producing music for a long time without gaining any decent exposure. When I'm through with my backlog of albums (when isn't there a backlog?) I will delve into them as well as Death In June. __________________ It be my music and film collection. “A cynic by experience, a romantic by inclination and now a hero by necessity.”

12-22-2009, 06:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
Urban Hat€monger ? The Sexual Intellectual Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Somewhere cooler than you Posts: 18,605	Swastikas For Goddy is a good starting place as any. I've been into this band about 5 years, I'm still only getting started. __________________ Urb's RYM Stuff Most people sell their soul to the devil, but the devil sells his soul to Nick Cave.

09-10-2010, 12:22 PM	#8 (permalink)
dankrsta ... Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 1,776	I've listened to a few Current 93 albums before (Dogs Blood Rising, All the Pretty Little Horses, Swastikas for Noddy and Thunder Perfect Mind). I barely scratched the surface of that enormous discography. But, today, for the first time, I heard Nature Unveiled. Oh god...my head is still buzzing. It's one of those rare instances when music completely exhausts me. I mean it in a good way. Intense stuff. __________________ Last.fm

12-31-2009, 12:14 AM	#6 (permalink)
cardboard adolescent ;) Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: CA Posts: 3,503	then kill ceasar!

01-30-2010, 09:02 PM	#7 (permalink)
clutnuckle Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: -_-_-_-_~__~-~_-`_`-~_-`-~-~ Posts: 1,276	I have a special plan for this world.

09-15-2010, 10:53 AM	#9 (permalink)
bob. Still sends his reguards. Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Trying to get out of the cat town.... Posts: 5,039	have you read Les Chants de Maldoror? if i remember right that book had a major influence on Nature Unveiled edit* listening to the entire "Inmost Light Trilogy" is quite an experience also __________________ A kiss is the beginning of cannibalism. Reach out, pierce the fine fabric of the sheltering sky, take repose.

09-15-2010, 11:43 AM	#10 (permalink)
~~James~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Scotland Posts: 4,483	I love this band, they have loads of stuff out butn everything i've heard has been great. Which is quite an achievement.