Current 93- At Sunset Black Ships Ate the Sky

Artist: Current 93
CD Title: At Sunset Black Ships Ate the Sky
Label: Jnana Records
Reviewer: Matthew Johnson
Date: 12-4-05

Released as an enigmatic limited edition at the Current 93 concerts in Toronto earlier this year, this two-song single is the first preview of the band’s next long-awaited full-length. The first song takes Current 93 back to their most popular period, full of intricately picked acoustic guitars and the apocalyptic musings of David Michael (the artist has recently dropped “Tibet” from his name). It’s gorgeous stuff, with a full sound made even fuller by the addition of cello to the mix, and should come as a relief to fans of Current 93’s dark folk period who may have been turned off by the ambient noise of the project’s most recent albums. The second track is even more interesting, with a droning rhythm provided by a single distorted guitar chord and David Michael’s vocal work taking on a frantic tempo. The instrumental work is a lot noisier, as well, with feedback squeals replacing the expected folksy strums, and betray the influence of David Michael’s interest in such contemporary psychedelic and stoner rock artists as Om and Six Organs of Admittance, whose founder Ben Chasny has recently been collaborating as a member of the band. If these songs are any indication, the forthcoming album will combine the prettiness of “Thunder Perfect Mind” with the hypnotic tension of “Imperium,” which should please Current 93’s devoted fans indeed.

Visit David Michael online at www.durtro.com for more information.