are an eclectic (né David Michael Bunting, renamed 'Tibet' by
Genesis P-Orridge sometime prior to forming the group).
Tibet has been the only constant in the group, though ,
Björk ,
Rose McDowall ,
Tiny Tim ,
Tony Wakeford of
Sol Invictus ,
Marc Almond ,
John Balance of
Coil 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 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 .
Much of Current 93's early work was similar to late s, droning
Synthesizer noises and Tibet's distorted, ranting 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.
The later 1990's music has shifted from the sound to more complex and orchestated sound
Tibet's lyrics have been fairly consistent, regardless of delivery: The earlier recordings reflect his preoccupation with or
Agape ),
Tibetan Buddhism ,
Gnosticism ,
Runes ,
Swastika s,
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.
{Link without Title} .
Literary influences include ,
Hildegard Von Bingen ,
John Dee ,
Heptarchia Mystica ,
The Thunder, Perfect Mind ,
William Blake ,
Louis Wain ,
Writer Thomas Ligotti ,
M.R. James 's various
Ghost Stories , ''
The Cloud Of Unknowing '', and Count
Eric Stenbock .
Musical influences include religious chants, traditional
Folk Music , The
Tam Lin ballad, The
Incredible String Band ,
Sand ,
Comus ,
Blue Öyster Cult ,
Love ,
Shirley Collins , and the Parsi composer
Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji
Recommended further reading:
England's Hidden Reverse - A Secret History Of The Esoteric Underground by
David Keenan (
SAF Publishing 2003)
- "Black Ships Ate The Sky (Alternate Mix)" on '' Brainwaves '' (2006)
