Opening with his version of ‘Idumea’ a hymn written by Charles Wesley and accompanied solely by the delicately plucked stings of a guitar courtesy of Michael Cashmore, Marc Almond delivers a heart-moving and deeply passionate rendition the track that sets the tone and atmosphere for what is perhaps the most important and evocative Current 93 recording to date. Four years in the making ‘Black Ships Ate the Sky’ has set high expectations for itself and from the subtle narrative flow of the album over it’s twenty-one tracks, it meets each and everyone of these and far surpasses what could ever be expected.

Based around a re-occurring dream of David Tibet, of blacks ships invading the sky and acting a catalyst for the coming of the Anti-Christ and the second coming of Christ. The album takes on a very personal and intense nature that is projected superbly through an array of lovingly structured tracks and vocals that pricks at the very essence of the listener. It finally seems that through sheer, unequivocal devotion and constant hard work David Tibet and the stunning array of talent artists that accompany him on the album, have managed to produce the definitive Current 93 album, that is not only superbly written and recorded but is presented perfectly. So much so that if this where to be, god forbid, the finally Current 93 album, the 25 long years Tibet has put into his project would have been worth every second, as every thing he’s set out to achieve with Current has come into fruition through this albums release. Initially seeming to take in it’s queue musically from the ‘folk-esque’ nature of ‘All the Pretty Little Horses’, it soon becomes evident that this is just the very tip of the iceberg as the layers of instrumentations, sounds and vocals contain a depth and almost organic nature that has only been touched upon by Current’s pervious work and is displayed with such compassion and vigour that it soon becomes evident that the four years spent on recording and releasing this album haven’t been in vain.

Dream-like in parts, haunting and reoccurring, ‘Black Ships..’ offers up a cavalcade of thought-proving and image drenched songs that fit together like pieces of a hand-crafted jigsaw. Each piece in fitting in place perfectly, complimenting the next and adding a vital element to the overall finished puzzle.
Although, the album does contain a very personal message and set of ideas the way that it is presented and the structures the individual tracks take, makes ‘Black Ship..’ unquestionably accessible and therefore open for interpretation by the listener, even if its not the same degree as that of Tibet. It’s this personal approach to Current’s work, which delivers such endearing qualities that are evident though out this album. The fact that you can draw something deeper and more provocative out of a musicians work not only proves invaluable to the listener but also demonstrates the prowess of the musician themselves and demonstrates that they posses a Sage-like skill that some many strive to master. Aside form the in-depth lyrical content ‘Black Ships..’ contains a remarkable composite of instruments to create a stimulating and heady array of backings that frame the vocals perfectly. Whether it be fragile acoustic guitar strums or superbly composed string arrangements, the music contained on this disc is as divine and faultless as you could imagine and a credit to the numerous musicians involved.

Utilizing a myriad of imagery and ides mealy touched upon in past Current releases, Tibet has honed his vision both musical and religiously into a place that he now feels completely at ease with. Almost like finally he has found his true self and this is project throughout the narrative nature of ‘Black Ships…’.

Featuring nine version of one track on any album could be contribute as somewhat of a risk, however the inclusion of nine versions of ‘Idumea’ each sung by an array of hugely talent individuals including the Antony, Baby Dee, Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, Pantaleimon, Shirley Collins and the afore mentioned Marc Almond. By opening this hymn up for personal interpretation by the individual artists that recorded tracks takes on a very personal and individual sound and feel, that reflects the singers thoughts on the lyrics contained within it. By allowing each artist the freedom to do this the track takes on it s own personally and sound on each occasion and therefore loses the reparative nature you’d expect it to take and instead reimmerges only as an anchor to hold to album firmly in place.

Aided by an impressive array of artists and musicians including long time Current 93 members Michael Cashmore and Steven Stapleton as well as Ben Chesny Colin Potter, William Breeze, Chris Carter and Cosey Fanni Tutti and those who contributed vocals to ‘Idumea’, Current 93 as a collective has never seemed so complete and family-like. With each of the artists contributing not only their musical skills but also a remarkable amount of passion to the proceedings it becomes incredibly evident why Tibet was able to mould ‘Black ships.. into the truly remarkable and unique album is it.

How Tibet will choose to follow ‘Black Ships… is anyone’s guess but even if it takes another 4 years and only has half the passion, skill and beauty contained with in this album when it will be a be a truly remarkable and moving album which will be well worth the wait. As for ‘Black Ships Ate the Sky’ what more can I say aside from it is one of the most impressively alluring and compelling musical releases that I’ve had the pleasure to indulge myself in time and time again and shows the true passion of Tibet’s convictions with each and every note.

Accompanied by a stunningly 56 page booklet containing notes on the album and its recording, full lyrics, web links and photos of those involved and housed in a beautifully designed slipcase, with an individual digi-pack which holds the CD, ‘Black Ships..’ is not only a feast of sounds but also a feast of sights as well making the album as a whole quite simply breath-taking and as near to perfect as release can be.
Simply remarkable, simply beautiful, simply outstanding.

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