In the booklet, Tibet tells us that this album should be regarded as one whole piece. Thematically, all the songs dwell on the same subjects (religion/philosophy & faith (in...the inmost light?, though that is not yet mentioned)) and the acoustic music is very much alike on all of the songs, which makes this album one of the most soothing.This might be considered as a downside referring to lack of variation, but is not. Though all the songs are more or less alike (musically), the differences arise (mostly) from Tibet's powerful yet gentle use of voice, Michael Cashmore's ingenious arrangements and Steven Stapleton's twists. The lyrics are progressive as they seem to present a turn in Tibet's life from a grieving goth to a man with faith.
Personally, this is the most powerful Current 93 album we have heard. There is not a single song that is a letdown. As an addition, the album introduced us to the poetry of Louis Wain and the paintings of Charles Sims. Both artists unheard of to us before and whose works we now wish to learn more of. Indeed, Mr. Tibet has excellent taste in art.
a voice from catland steven and i in the field of stars the teeth of the winds of the sea moonlight, you will say into the bloody hole i go the darkly splendid world the cloud of unknowing let us go to the rose all the world makes great blood the great, bloody and bruised veil of the world into the menstrual night i go dormition and dominion so: this empire is nothing the shining shining world