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.
North
Current 93 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I call Thee forth
O mighty Odin
Lord of the spear
Fettered by fear
Curse all those
Who do oppose our fight
Victory is near
The lyrics of "North" by Current 93 and Death in June are a direct invocation to the Norse god Odin. The singer invokes him, calling him forth from the north, and declares him the lord of the spear, a common symbol of war and battle. The singer then proclaims the presence of fear but swears that all those who oppose them will be cursed. The song ultimately ends on a note of triumph with the declaration that victory is near.
The language in "North" draws heavily on Nordic mythology and symbolism. Odin is often associated with aspects of both war and knowledge, reflecting his dual nature as a god of both wisdom and conflict. The use of a spear as a symbol of Odin's power is also consistent with the mythology surrounding him, as he is often depicted carrying a spear in depictions from the Norse sagas. Despite its specific references to Norse imagery, the song's message of defiance against opposition and the promise of an impending victory have a universal quality that could resonate with listeners outside of any particular culture or tradition.
Line by Line Meaning
From the North
I invoke you from the direction of the North, where you reside in myth and legend.
I call Thee forth
I summon you with this ritualistic incantation to make your presence known.
O mighty Odin
Oh great and powerful Odin, ruler of the Nordic gods and master of the runes.
Lord of the spear
You are the god of war and the weapon most associated with you is the spear.
Fettered by fear
We are bound and confined by our own fears and anxieties, which keep us from achieving our goals.
Curse all those
We ask for your divine intervention to place a curse upon those who stand against us and our cause.
Who do oppose our fight
Anyone who doesn't support us in our fight for victory and justice is considered an enemy.
Victory is near
With your presence and blessings, we feel confident and reassured that our victory is imminent.
Victory is near
Repeating this phrase instills us with hope and encourages us to keep striving towards our goal.
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
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