"All meetings end in separations..."
Matthew | Pittsburgh | 05/01/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is the very first Current 93 release I heard after "Thunder Perfect Mind," and it remains the most influential and striking. I pretty much have every studio release Mr. Tibet has done, but I keep coming back to this one."Imperium" is unfathomably depressive and gorgeous. If I am not mistaken, the album was recorded during a period of illness in David Tibet's life. It is a DARK release, moving from a whisper to a scream (literally) The lyrics are deeply influenced by Biblical passages, especially Ecclesiastes and are much more allied with the emotional meaning of these passages than the damned Byrds' song! "Imperium I - III" are very minimalist tracks, with droning samples and odd music that has the effect of old Victrola records being played underwater; very distant and haunting, as David whispers and speaks above it all. The begining of the CD borderlines upon creepy and nightmarish, but it is always very somber. The lyrics explore various dichotomies and paradoxes of death.The latter half of the CD descends into an even more claustrophobic and violently manic mood of anger and despair. First with the dark rhythmic groove of "Locust" - "what is all this love for?" I always loved the lines when David shouts "AND SHATTER THE SHUTTERS!" As dark and introspective as the album is, it offers some amusing and humourous highlights that only twisted fans of Current 93 could probably appreciate.Anyway, the chills are profound as the music climaxes and David repeatedly shrieks "Take me to my dead Christ! CARRY ME! From shore to shore" He settles down eventually for the absolutely devastating finale. A simple yet effective bass line fills in the background as David continues to poor his heart out. "Even Death is better/than this useless life." This album is almost painful to hear. Nonetheless, that is what makes it so powerful. It is a long, fluid, continuous exploration of human suffering and the hope for healing. An epic release and definitely one of Current 93's most important albums. Highly recommended..."
Profound and Tragic
Schammie | Philadelphia, PA United States | 02/24/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A remarkable and deeply personal expression of loss and grief, "Imperium" mixes folk and contemporary music with religious allusion and poetic monologues. Completely unlike any other album I've ever heard, and highly recommended."
Track Listings (6) - Disc #1