Tibet has been the only constant in the group, though Steven Stapleton (of 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 (using the name Stephen Intelligent), Boyd Rice, runologist Freya Aswynn , Nick Cave, Björk, Andrew W.K., Will Oldham, Ben Chasny, Rose McDowall, Tiny Tim, Tony Wakeford of Sol Invictus, Marc Almond, John Balance of Coil, Antony Hegarty of Antony and the Johnsons, Baby Dee and Ian Read of Fire + Ice 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 over twenty albums and many singles as well as having been a guest on many of the above listed artists' records. Tibet has also collaborated with Nature and Organisation and The Hafler Trio.
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 (Tibet borrowed the term "93 Current" from Crowley - the 93 Current being the current of Thelema or Agape), 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 identifies as a Christian.
Literary influences include Lautreamont's Les Chants de Maldoror, the Bible, The Poetic Edda, Hildegard von Bingen, John Dee, Heptarchia Mystica, The Thunder, Perfect Mind, William Blake, 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.
Musical influences include religious chants, traditional folk music, The Tam Lin ballad, The Incredible String Band, Sand, Comus, Blue Öyster Cult, Black Sabbath, Love, Shirley Collins, some progressive bands such as Yes, King Crimson, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, and the British composer Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji.
David Keenan's book England's Hidden Reverse - A Secret History of the Esoteric Underground (SAF Publishing 2003) extensively covers Tibet's musical evolution along with that of Coil, Stephen Stapleton, and others.
A Beginning
Current 93 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The lyrics of Current 93's song A Beginning are quite intriguing and open to interpretation. The opening line, "I went down to the forest to gather fine flowers," can be seen as a metaphorical journey of the singer seeking beauty and truth. Throughout the song, the singer seems to be searching for something that is unknown, yet holds great importance.
The line "the wind blew a hurricane of blossom" could be interpreted as a sudden burst of enlightenment or inspiration that overwhelms the singer. They seem to be in awe of what they have found, but also aware that it may not last forever. The use of natural imagery throughout the song gives it a sense of timelessness and is a reminder of the power and beauty of the world around us.
The final line "sing with me the song of the earth" is an invitation to the listener to join the singer on this journey of discovery. It implies that through connection with nature and embracing beauty, we can find a sense of purpose and understanding in our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
I went down to the forest to gather fine flowers
I ventured into the peaceful woods to collect the most exquisite blossoms that nature had to offer
But the forest was dark and the foliage was fierce
However, the woodland was obscure and the plants were thorny and wild
And the sickness of worry overtook me
As a result, I began to feel anxious and fearful
And the fever of the night grew upon me
The intensity of my distress intensified as the night wore on
And I wandered by black mud and heard the cries of the birds
As I meandered through murky swamps, I heard the forlorn calls of avian creatures
And I came to the brink of a chasm, and stood still
Eventually, I arrived at a precipice and halted my steps
And I looked down and saw nothing beneath me
Peering over the edge, I saw only a void below me
And the sickness of worry overtook me
My preexisting anxiety grew stronger and more overpowering
And the fever of the night grew upon me
My distress reached a boiling point as the night progressed
And the sickness of worry overtook me
Again, I was overwhelmed with concern and trepidation
And the fever of the night grew upon me
Once more, my distress intensified as the night carried on
And I thought that the world had ended
I had a feeling that the apocalypse had arrived
And I thought that the dead had risen from their graves
I imagined that the deceased had been awoken from their eternal slumber
And I was in confusion and agony
My state of being was one of disorientation and anguish
And I could not find my way back to the world
I couldn't discern the correct path to return to civilization
Contributed by Skyler K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.