Hitler as Kalki

Durtro 014CD, 1993, Running time: 50:12

Hitler as Kalki
  1. Imperium V - 07:32
  2. Hitler as Kalki (SDM) - 16:35
  3. Christ and the Pale Queens Mighty in Sorrow - 09:19
  4. All the Stars are Dead Now (Wm.B) - 08:54
  5. Imperium V - 07:50

As live albums go, this is actually quite a good one. Perhaps my fondness stems from the fact that it was the first Current 93 album I ever heard, but I personally like it a lot. There’s a substantial amount of new or new-ish material on here, the content is surprisingly cohesive, and the album just has a certain indescribable charm to it (or maybe it’s just me, I dunno). The liner doesn’t include lyrics, but in any case, it’s a very worthwhile album.

Beginning with a thematic return to the Imperium album, IMPERIUM V is a lovely, quiet acoustic piece that continues with the concept started in the earlier album. As is appropriate for any c93 song bearing the word “imperium” in the title, the piece is distinctly melancholy.

Track two, HITLER AS KALKI, is quite similar to the album version (it originally appeared on Thunder Perfect Mind), but also has its own distinct charm.  As far as I’m concerned, both versions are quite nice.

CHRIST AND THE PALE QUEENS MIGHTY IN SORROW is rather more industrial and noisy than the songs on the album from which the inspiration for this song was taken (which was, of course, Christ and the Pale Queens Mighty in Sorrow).  You’ll also notice that it contains the loop from MIGHTY IN SORROW (also from that same album).

Once again reaching back to Thunder Perfect Mind, ALL THE STARS ARE DEAD NOW (Wm.B) is relatively different in atmosphere from the album version. While the music is similar, I get a slightly more refined and melancholy feeling from this version. Both, however, are great.

And finally, we come back around to a different version of IMPERIUM V. Stylistically, it’s a little different from the first track, but equally (if not more) wonderful in its beautiful and sad music, vocals, and lyrics. This is my favorite piece on the album.

Epilogue: (male voice) Remember now thy creator in the days of thy youth whilst the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, “I have no pleasure in them.” While the sun or a light or the moon or the stars be not darkened, nor the clouds returned after the rain. In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble and the strong men shall bow themselves and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened. And the doors shall be shut in the streets when the sound of grinding is low. And he shall rise up with the voice of a bird and all the daughters of music shall be brought low. Also, when they should be afraid of that which is high, and fear should be in the way and the arm and tree shall flourish and the grasshopper shall be a burden and desire shall fail because man got to his long home. And the mourners go about the streets. Wherever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bough be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern, then shall the dust return to the earth as it was, and the spirit shall return to God who gave it.