Crowleymass

418CD, 1997, Running time: 25:29

  1. Crowleymass - 04:21
  2. As for the Other Side (Christmassacre) - 02:20
  3. Crowleymass (Mix Mix Mix) - 07:10
  4. Arise - 11:38

This EP is a collaboration between Current 93 and Islandic composer Hilmar Orn Hilmarsson, and was originally released in 1987 on Crowley's birthday. For me, it really showcases the humorous side of Current 93; it's silly, danceble(!) fun. It also features a great cover illustration (sure to get you banned from your local church or place of worship) showing the Virgin Mary holding Baby Jesus with the head of Alestair Crowley. No printed lyrics.

The title track, CROWLEYMASS, is a fun rap-style song (yes, that's right, Tibet can rap), featuring beats and keyboards from Hilmar. Tibet gets really into it, both musically and lyrically; unlike the majority of c93's songs, this one actually rhymes (just to give you an idea of the theme of the song, its refrain is "Don't give us no sass or we'll kick your ass/Cuz we're the heralds of Crowleymass"). A similar mix appears on the other Current 93/HOH collaboration, the superb Island album.

Track two, AS FOR THE OTHER SIDE (CHRISTMASSACRE), is a totally fun techno piece by HOH, featuring the main choral loop from CROWLEYMASS. For all you Lovecraft scholars out there, the liner notes state that Nyarlathotep's Idiot Flute Players perform on this song (but wasn't it Azathoth who had the flute players?). Great song, in any case.

As can be assumed from the title, track three is a remix of CROWLEYMASS, this time somewhat more slowly-paced and somewhat more instrumental than the other version. Unfortunately, Rose McDowall's lovely backing vocals are missing from this version, though we do get some extended vocals from Tibet.

The final track, ARISE, did not appear on the original 1987 release of the EP. It's a very menacing sort of song, kind of heavy-metal styled. Low churning guitar, sinister vocals and lyrics from Tibet, and spooky keyboards from HOH. As with the rest of this album, it's not really what you'd expect from Current 93, but that's one of the reasons I love them; they're always branching off into different directions, experimenting, and doing different things with their music. For me, this EP is a nice peek into yet another side of C93.

No epilogue.