Current 93
As the World Disappears...

"As the World Disappears" stands as the ultimate example of the mastery of Current 93, an enchanting album (recorded in Amiens, France) that captures the essence of a magical moment in their artistic evolution. In my opinion, it remains their best album of their apocalyptic folk phase, even superior to the studio records.

The six strings of the new member Michael Cashmore possess a timeless melancholic touch, carrying a profound nostalgia, imbued with an atmosphere that transcends temporal limitations. The sounds of his guitar intertwine with Joolie Wood's violin and James Malindaine-Lafayette's harp to weave a delicate fabric that elevates David Tibet's song-poems.

The tracks come from "Imperium," "Horsey," "Earth Covers Earth." We also find early versions of "Island" and "Thunder Perfect Mind," along with rarities like "They Returned to their Earth (For My Christ Thorn)." Particularly fascinating are the passionate performances of "A Song For Douglas After He's Dead," a tribute to Douglas P. of Death In June, at the time (before the fallout) Tibet's art companion. Despite Douglas P.'s absence at the concert, this gap is not a disadvantage but highlights how quickly Cashmore's guitar style became fundamental to the music of Current 93. This concert proves to be a sublime prelude to a series of remarkable future releases, with Cashmore participating in masterpieces such as "Thunder Perfect Mind" by Current 93, "But What Ends When the Symbols Shatter?" by Death In June, and "Beauty Reaps the Blood of Solitude" from his project Nature & Organisation.

Amidst a frankly excessive production, I highly recommend this album.