Review "Visible" DVD Orkus
So
knapp der Titel Visible auch anmutet-das, was dahintersteckt, ist es beileibe
nicht. Gleich zwei digitale Scheiben haben Clan Of Xymox mit haufenweise Material
vollgestopft. Dabei sieht man Ronny Moorings, Mojca Zugna und Band meist auf
der Bühne agieren,besteht ein Großteil der Videos doch aus Live -Aufnahmen.
Die fallen recht unterschiedlich aus, schließlich wirkt ein Gig im dunklen
Club mit einzelnen Lichteffekten ganz anders als eine Show auf der riesigen
Open Air-Bühne des M'era Luna oder Zillo-Festivals. Beides sicher reizvoll,
wobei eine ziemlich gute Auswahl getroffen wurde. Gleiches lässt sich zur
Wahl der Songs sagen. Von absoluten Klassikern a la This World und Louise bis
zu frischen Stücken wie We Never Learn oder Heroes ist einiges vertreten.
Zum letzteren Bowie-Cover gibt es denn auch einen Clip in Schwarzweiß,
der zwar nicht mit spektakulärer Technik aufwartet, aber dafür mit
viel Persönlichkeit und Ideen. Generell strahlen die beide DVDs eine gewisse
Indieattitüde aus, wurde doch die Mehrzahl der Aufnahmen ohne professionelle
Kamerateams gestaltet und am Ende von Fronter Moorings selbst bearbeitet und
zusammengestellt. Das macht die Sache für Fans besonders interessant,Visible
überzeugt einfach mit einer Menge Authentizität. Abgerundet werden
Clips und Live-Videos noch durch etliche Backstageimpressionen und gar ein kurzes
Interview. Letzteres hätte ein wenig umfangreicher oder irgendwie spannender
ausfallen dürfen. Aber man sollte es wohl eher als kleinen Bonus sehen,
immerhin bietet das Material schon wirklich viel Clan Of Xymox.
––
Review "Visible" DVD Re-flection
Geschrieben
von Ingo Möller
Mittwoch, 02. April 2008
Ronny
Moorings hat sich sehr viel Zeit genommen, um das gesamte Material für
die erste Clan Of Xymox DVD der langjährigen Bandgeschichte zusammen zu
stellen.
Nun liegt das Ergebnis mit Namen "Visible" als Doppel-DVD in einem
gewöhnlichen Doppel-CD Slipcase vor.
"Visible" führt dem Fan der Band auf der ersten DVD insgesamt
zehn Clan Of Xymox Videos vor Augen, die über einen Zeitraum von mehr als
neun Jahren gesammt und nunmehr erstmalig komplett veröffentlicht worden
sind.
Aufgrund des limitierten Budgets, das für Videoproduktionen im Indiependentbereich
zur Verfügung standen und stehen, muss man die Kriterien für die Bewertung
der optischen Umsetzungen der Clan Of Xymox Songs relativieren. Die Bildqualitäten
diverser Videos sind recht mäßig und man hat sich oftmals vermehrt
Live-Einblendungen bedient. Und auch wenn die anderen Sequenzen der Videos mitunter
recht steif und amateurhaft wirken, so wissen sie dennoch zu gefallen. Es ist
einfach herrlich, diese unverbrauchte Naivität zu konsumieren und nicht
mit 100% durch produzierter Kost auf Durchschnitts-MTV-Niveau abgespeist zu
werden.
Neben den Videos gibt es dann auf dem ersten Silberling noch einige Live-Mitschnitte
von früheren Zillo-Festival (Gott hab es seelig) Auftritten der Wave-Gothic
Band zu bestaunen. Nicht nur das Geschehen auf der Bühne wurde ordentlich
eingefangen, auch das Betrachten der Leute von vor zehn Jahren lässt einen
doch des Öfteren schmunzeln. Und dann ist es doch immer wieder erschreckend,
wie schnell die Zeit vergeht.
Die zweite DVD ist dann vom Material her deutlich frischer, denn es gibt den
Clan Of Xymox Auftritt vom M'era Luna 2006 auf die Augen und die Ohren. Hier
ist die Qualität dann auch schon deutlich besser und man sieht den Wandel
der Zeit bei den Aufnahmen auf angenehme Art und Weise, denn für diese
Aufnahmen zeigte sich das Team von Crazy Clip TV verantwortlich.
Neben einem langen und interessanten Interview mit Mastermind und Bandkopf Ronny
Moorings gibt es dann abschließend noch zwei weitere Clips von den Songs
"Consolation" und "We Never Learn".
Alles in allem eine gute DVD mit einem deutlichen Hang zu Live-Aufnahmen - schade
ist dabei ansich nur, dass es kein komplettes Fulltime Konzert als DVD Version
zu genießen gibt. Aber auch diese DVD-Mitschnitte sind ja besser als nichts
- und wer weiß, vielleicht kommt eine zweite Clan Of Xymox DVD Veröffentlichung
schneller, als man denkt.
––
Heroes ( EP) review Orkus
Mit
seiner frischen Single erweist Ronnz Moorings seinem Idol David Bowie die Ehre
und covert einen von dessen gröBten Hits, Heroes. Nicht sofort offenbart
sich dem Hörer diese Verbindung, beginnt die neue Clan Of Xymox-EP doch
mit einer Slow Induatrial Version des Klassikers, die schon deutlich vom Orginal
abeicht.Keine schlechte Idee, zumal in alter Xymox -Manier nicht an Schwermut
gespart wurde und somit mal ein wirklich interessantes Cover herausgekommen
ist. Dagegenrecht nach am Orginal ist die zweite, spätere Pop-Variante,
die den so berühmten Song wohlakzentuiert ins neue Millenium transportiert
und auch jüngeren leuten die Einzigartigkeit des Stückes näherbringt.
Als Intermezzo zwischen der aktuellen Platte Breaking Point und der für
dieses Jahr erwarteten DVD befinden sich noch Be My Friend vom genannten Album
sowie mit On A Mission ( in zwei Fassungen) ein völlig neuer Track auf
der CD.Letzterer fällt wohl am ehesten unter die Katagorie ,,Dancefloor"
und weist-wie die restlichen Stücke, mit Ausnahme der Industrial Version-die
typischen Xymox-Komponenten von modernen Electro Sounds in Verknüpfung
mit Gitarren auf. So bleiben am Ende fünf Tracks, die durchaus als nett
zusammengestellte Maxi durchgehen können und gerade durch die Bowie-Cover
einen gewissen Reiz bezitzen. Denn auch wenn der Clan -Meister Moorings bereits
für etliche Outputs bekannt ist, stehen Fremdinterpretationen eher selten
auf seinem Programm.
Silvio Wolff , Orkus 06, 2007
Clan of Xymox is after the succesful most recent album Breaking Point back with a suprising MCD to shorten the wait on the upcoming for the fall of 2007 planned first Clan of Xymox DVD. This MCD is surprising because Ronny and co. cover a David Bowie classic, ‘Heroes’ in a very tasteful way. This they do with two versions, a modest and melancholic teinted ‘industrial version’, which really connects to the dark side of the typical Clan of Xymox style and a somewhat lighter and catchy wave-pop version. This MCD furthermore has a very good and also quite danceable song with ‘On A Mission’, in two versions of which the second is a bit more interesting compared to the first one. This song can be categorixed into the recent electro oriented tradition of songs such as ‘’There’s No Tomorrow’ and ‘Weak In My Knees’. Finally there is a single version on this disc of the popular song ‘Be My Friend’, from the Breaking Point album. Clan of Xymox has not only managed to release a nice appetizer with this MCD, but also again one of a musicwise pretty high standard. Very accomplished.
With “Heroes” Clan Of Xymox take on one of the classics in music history
and gives it back to the fans, new and with their own unique twist. The industrial
version of the song is slow, almost melancholic in typical Clan Of Xymox style
while the pop version of the original song is more of a homage to Ronny Mooring's
time without the Clan. “On A Mission” is a Brand New track, done in
the best tradition of club hits such as “There’s No Tomorrow”
or “Weak In My Knees” : great modern Electro / Guitar sounds for the
Dancefloor scene. Finally “Be My Friend” ( one of the most successful
songs from the “Breaking Point” album ) is included here in a new
mix.
Breaking Point
Reviewed by DerRozzengarten
The long-awaited new attempt of the legends of the dark wave scene after the
really strong “Farewell” (2003) is finally reality and all of us can
cherish the emotional beauty of Ronny Mournings’ dreams, nightmares, desires,
sorrows presented in small stories in the shape of inspired compositions. The
name of it “Breaking Point” and I think that this specific album is
really a “breaking point” for the band simply because it has that
flawless feeling “Medusa” (1986) used to evoke to the listener, the
feeling that everything that is present is present only for good and nothing
more.
Ronny Mourings and Clan Of Xymox seem to offer one of their strongest releases
of the last 16 years, along with “Creatures” and “Farewell”.
The whole album is well-conceived, well-executed, filled with a beautiful and
fragile surrounding atmosphere and, above all, the aesthetic that Clan Of Xymox
always had, this very special and unique feeling that is present in their compositions
throughout the years. The guitar work is one of the best Clan Of Xymox ever
had, gothic-rock oriented just like on “Creatures” with the one brilliant
guitar idea coming right after the other or having a more accompanying slightly
present role, adding another beautiful and floating sense to the compositions.
Clan Of Xymox seem to experiment with electronics more than ever before and
all I can say is that the electronic touch of the album is quite successful,
lending to it a more “mechanical” sense evoked through the “cold”
and “lifeless” aesthetic of the electronic music. The synthesizers
are used in a genius way and except for the electro-apparoch they lend to the
album in some of its compositions they are always present through the whole
duration of the album without forgetting to adorn it with a wailing and touching
melancholic atmosphere. The drum machine is used in the most appropriate way,
lending groove and pulse to the compositions, in the most ideal way, just like
it has to be, and I guess none of you would expect Clan Of Xymox to have problems
with the use of the drum machine in the year 2006 since they have been using
it for the last 25 years! I think it’s needless and pointless to talk about
Mourings’ vocal interpretation and lyrics, but I’ll give it a try.
For one more time Ronny offers a fabulous and flawless interpretation, whether
he sings with his deep and “cold” accent or sounds more emotional
and heart-rending, evoking emotions of solitude, utter melancholy and a feeling
as if hope has perished, giving a really special meaning to the poetic and heart-felt
lyrics. And this twisted crying female almost-monologue on “Pandora’s
Box” just leaves you so… empty…
The variety of the album is of course something really positive. You will find
the more danceable electro-driven compositions that have the power to become
dance-floor favorites, the more gothic rock-oriented ones with the upbeat and
groovy feeling and the fragile and serene ones that will definitely make sorrow
blossom in the core of the listener’s soul. The album flows as one and
there’s no need for pointless high-light pick ups, the only thing you have
to do is press the play button and drown because Clan Of Xymox albums should
be embraced as whole experiences and not single parts.
Well, Clan f Xymox is a legendary act of the dark scene and “Breaking Point”
is a really mature album, another one, filled with intensity, deep emotions
and an atmosphere adorned with roses…
http://www.metalstorm.ee/reviews/more_review.php?id=1788
Two
years after the release of their exceptional Best Of release, we're now presented
with the latest great work from this renowned band in the form of Breaking Point.
It's hard to imagine how a band with such an extensive history can continue
to "mature" their sound, but it seems they manage to do so in subtle
ways that only long-time fans will really be able to notice. Overall they still
capitalize on the same solid elements they've used over all of these years.
Ronny Moorings uses his deep, angst-ridden vocals as a foundation and anchor
for the music that has it's own groundwork laid down through solid synths and
various guitar layers.
To begin the album is the precursor single "Weak in my Knees" sporting
the most recognizable elements from this band in their club- friendly, goth-rock
sound. This track was released as a single several weaks ago including some
nice remixes of this track along with remixes of their classic track "Michelle"
and the appearance of "Calling You Out", also available on this album.
It's with good reason that this piece was chosen as the single from this disc
with it's powerful, electronics-based foundation. This is followed by two more
danceable tracks in the form of "Calling You Out" and "She's
Dangerous". These moving tracks feature everything from distorted guitar,
various synth and electronic loops, but always with a solid beat, a deep steady
flowing sound and Ronny's excellent vocals.
At this point we're dragged down into the drowing depths of the deep emotional
ballads that always manage to appear on each release from this band in the form
of "Eternally". The lyrics follow suit with previous works, providing
a profound look into the inner depths of the artists conscious. Along with the
look into the meaningful lyrics these tracks provide, they also provide a break
from the driving and sometimes harsher tracks for an excellent variety. This
tempo remains through "We Never Learn" with another beautiful ballad
that has quickly become another favorite of mine.
After this short break we dive right back into the upbeat, dynamic sounds of
"Be My Friend". The lyrics are interesting on this piece and by the
title you wouldn't think this would be another driving club track. As it is,
this selection would get my vote as the single for the album with a mix of "O
Fortuna" choir samples accenting the solid synths and deep basslines that
provide the musical backdrop. While the intensity of the album remains extremely
strong, the tempo starts to slow with "Cynara" and marks the decline
from the clymax of the previous track. Slowly you think the album begins to
wind down with this piece and the instrumental ambient piece "Pandora's
Box" featuring some nice samples and dreamy soundscapes. But once again
at the conclusion of this piece we're launched back into the fray with the finale
two pieces forming the finale of the album with a powerful exit. "Under
the Wire" sports some of the most electronic elements in one track with
minimal guitar, but then "What's Going On" goes all out with the electronics
and synths without even a detectible hint of the guitar driven goth sounds.
With that the album concludes and the listener can honestly say that this is
another memorable album that won't soon be forgotten. It stands out in many
ways against today's music, delving back into the gothic rock foundation that
so many fans grew up listening to, while it has electronics, it varies from
the onslaught of synthpop and EBM bands that have flooded the scene lately with
each band sound exactly like every other band, and at the same time the artists
haven't jumped onto the indie / emo rock bandwagon like so many others have,
trying to make it into the teen-pop scene. They stay true to themselves and
true to their fans while they still provide new and excellent music.
The
new tracks on the single 'Weak in my knees' created high expectations for the
new Clan of Xymodx album on which these songs (title track and 'Calling you
out' ) appear, but the other eight tracks on 'Breaking point' fulfil all that
could have been expected. I didn't found any weak links on this release, also
thanks to the variety of sounds, tempos and styles on the cd. Ronny Moorings
managed to create new directions within a sound that remains typical, as we
are used to hear from Clan of Xymox.
Like the opening track 'Weak in my knees', the song 'Be my friend' sticks into
your head after you heard it just once. The thrill of passion and mystery is
in 'She's dangerous', nostalgia in 'Eternally' and it's almost like you watch
a movie while you listen to 'Pandora's box', the soundtrack to a passionate
play.
Like we're used from Clan of Xymox the album shows a perfect mix between electronics
and guitars with vocals which match within this sound. The lyrics are all expressive
language, especially 'Calling you out' , 'Eternally', 'We never learn' and 'Under
the wire'. And sometimes not too many words are necesarry to tell a story.
'Eternally' is one of the best ballads in the Xymox oeuvre and with songs like
'Weak in my knees', 'What's going on' and 'Calling you out' , which will do
very well on the dancefloor, some future classics are mentioned. For those who
like the sound of Clan of Xymox, this release is a must have; it's one of the
best albums, which shows that it's possible to express a kind of art that's
familiar while it is original too.
Listening to 'Breaking point' is like walking through an old sylish castle,
while surrounded by the atmosphere of today's impressions of all that's going
on in a life. A kind of reality which doesn't need any fantasy to be marvellous.
Refuting the rumour of a possible break-up ( following "Farewell" and "The Best Of" releases ) Goth / Darkwave legends Clan Of Xymox are back with "Breaking Point" : possibly their most perfectly blended album yet. Featuring searing guitar lines, strong bass sounds mixed with atmospheric and powerful synths and Ronny Mooring's deep, sensuous and harmonic voice it delivers all of Xymox's trademark sounds and references offered in their iconic and unique style. This 'classic' sound is no more evident than on album opener and first single "Weak In My Knees" - a club hit par excellence : mighty tunes, powerful chorus line, a perfect sing-a-long melody which catches the listener in an instant. The following track "Calling You Out" shows them from their darker, even more aggressive side with straight guitar lines and no compromises, while "She’s Dangerous" is yet another dancefloor hit - complete with infectious synth lines, driving rhythms and a permenant hook. "Eternally", "We Never Learn" and "Cynara" are songs that will capture the hearts of their older fans immediately - quiet, almost introspective, slow, thoughtful and eternal. "Be My Friend" presents another powerful club hit while album closers "Pandora’s Box" - forms an interlude into the aggressive song "Under The Wire" ( a track that demonstrates perfectly the rockier side of Clan Of Xymox ) and finally "What’s Going On" a melodic masterpiece that demands replaying.
Clan Of Xymox
“Breaking Point”
(Pandaimonium Records/Alive)
Lasst euch nicht vom Titel in die Irre führen. Auch auf “Breaking
Point” gibt es die von C:O:X: gewohnte Mischung aus Darkwave-, Electro-
und Dancefloorelementen, eine Symbiose aus Gitarren und Synthies. Die Singleauskopplung
“Weak In My Knees” eröffnet das neue Album. Ein Clubhit, der
sicher bald schon in einem Atemzug mit “This World” und “There´s
No Tomorrow” und ihren anderen Dancefloor-Smashern genannt werden wird.
Weiter geht es mit “Calling You Out”, das auch schon auf der Single
zu finden war. Langsamer, düsterer und sehr eingängig wird dieser
Song von vielen Fans heiß und innig geliebt werden – etwas zum zu
Hause Hören. Und so geht es weiter, tanzbare Stücke wie “She´s
Dangerous” wechseln sich ab mit langsameren wie “Eternally”.
Letzteres ist zweifelsohne eines der absoluten Highlights des Albums. Melancholisch-schön,
sehr atmosphärisch und mit einer unwiderstehlichen Hookline zeigt es die
Band wieder einmal von ihrer allerbesten Seite. Schwelgerisch, ergreifend –
so kennen und lieben wir C:O:X:! Mit “Pandora´s Box” ist auch
ein musikalisches Zwischenstück enthalten, quasi eine Überleitung
zwischen dem getragen klingenden, langsamen “Cynara”, das anfangs
fast ein wenig an Cure erinnert und den abschließenden zwei Dancehits,
von denen “What´s Going On” der mitreissendere ist. Ein wunderbares,
zeitloses Album voller starker Melodien, das insgesamt gesehen langsamer und
melancholischer als sein Vorgänger ausgefallen ist. Bei Fans von C:O:X:
dürfte “Breaking Point” auf der Liste der besten Alben der Band
ganz weit oben rangieren. Perfekt!
Breaking Point
CD (Pandaimonium/Al!ve)
vorauss. 21.04.2006
Mit den ersten Tönen der neuen Clan Of Xymox-Platte möchte man meinen,
dass der Titel Breaking Point nichts Gutes zu verheißen hat. Schluss mit
zeitlosen Wave Goth-Perlen, stattdessen belangloses Future Pop-Gedudel? Zum
Glück nicht. Denn ein paar verwirrende Beats später hallt einem die
wohl bekannte dunkle Stimme Ronny Moorings' entgegen, Gitarren mischen sich
dazu, und die vorab ausgekoppelte Single entwickelt sich zu einem mächtigen
Song voller Melodie und vor allem Tanzbarkeit. Die perfekte Symbiose aus modernen
elektronischen Sounds und einer atmosphärischen Wave-Attitüde. Grundsätzlich
trifft dies ebenfalls auf die übrigen neun Stücke zu, auch wenn Weak
In My Knees schon das elektronischste Lied bleibt. Zwar befinden sich mit Calling
You Out, She's Dangerous und Be My Friend noch weitere Tanznummern auf dem aktuellen
Album, doch entfalten diese eine noch dichtere, dunklere und eindringlichere
Atmosphäre. Nach dem für meine Begriffe eher einseitigen Vorgänger
Farewell haben es Clan Of Xymox mit Breaking Point wieder geschafft, ein sehr
ausgefeiltes und abwechslungsreiches Werk zu produzieren. Die Gruppe um Ronny
Moorings beweist auch nach 22 Jahren Bandgeschichte, dass sie – ihren eigenen
Stil bewahrend – am Puls der Zeit ist und problemlos an ihre besten Tage
anknüpfen kann. (9)
Silvio Wolff
http://www.re-flexion.de
Licht aus, Spot an! Ronny Moorings meldet sich mit seinem Clan Of Xymox zurück
und präsentiert mit dem neuen Album der Band im wahrsten Sinne des Wortes
einen „Breaking Point“.
Waren die letzten Clan Of Xymox Veröffentlichungen „Notes From The
Underground“ und „Farewell“ noch betont clublastig, so eckt das
neue Werk nur noch vereinzelnd an eben dieses Aushängeschild an.
Vielmehr driften die Niederländer bei den Titeln auf „Breaking Point“
doch häufig in Richtung älterer Vergangenheit ab und zeigen sich charismatisch
düster und phasenweise sogar epochal.
Obwohl die Vorab-Maxi-CD „Weak In My Knees“ fast komplett elektronischer
Art war und die ansonsten von Clan Of Xymox favorisierten Gitarrenriffs in den
Hintergrund stellte, führt „Breaking Point“ die musikalischen
Grundwerte der Single, die gleichzeitig auch Opener des neuen Albums ist nicht
wirklich fort.
Ronny Moorings nimmt den Hörer mit auf eine Reise durch dunkle Welten,
lässt ihn mit ruhigen sphärischen Sounds in Melancholie eintauchen,
um ihm sodann aber auch unverhofft wieder aus dieser mittels flüssiger
Beats zu entreißen.
Es ist bemerkenswert, mit welcher scheinbaren Selbstverständlichkeit Clan
Of Xymox die musikalischen Sprünge zwischen den Epochen der Bandgeschichte
vollzieht und wie beeindruckend die einzelnen Schwerpunkte dieser zu neuen Songs
zusammen wachsen und das Ergebnis in den wunderbaren qualitativ hochwertigen
Pool der Zeitlosigkeit eintaucht.
Neben „Weak In My Knees“ gibt es mit „She´s Dangerous“
und „Be My Friend“ noch weitere sehr tanzbare Stücke auf dem
neuen Album. Das sanfte Gegenlicht dazu bescheint das neue Werk in Form von
wunderbaren tief unter die Haut gehenden atmosphärischen Titeln wie „Eternity“,
„We Never Learn“ oder auch dem Schlusspunkt des Albums „What´s
Going On“.
zurück
http://www.hard-wired.org.uk/GothReviews.htm#Xymox150406
Clan of Xymox are one of those bands that I have been aware of for many years.
I've seen them live a couple of times and enjoyed their music when I've heard
it, but you could never say I was a devoted fan. Clan of Xymox provide soundtracks
for both the dance floor and the boudoir, offering dance beats for the former
and introspective atmospheres for the latter.
I get the strangest urge to wave my hands aloft during "Weak In My Knees".
The synthesisers are to the fore, with a touch of Vangelis circa Bladerunner.
While much dance music is anonymous, singer Ronny’s voice gives the music
a human quality. There's some near submerged guitar, which gives the song an
edge. "Calling You Out" has the synthetic textures of early Simple
Minds. Whether this song is about duels, cricket or something else entirely
is not satisfactorily made clear. There's distorted guitar, which keeps things
interesting.
"She's Dangerous" abandons the harsh sound for a more strummed- acoustic
guitar-led style. There are still electronics in the background – and occasionally
in the foreground – but you no longer feel you're been bludgeoned by dance
beats. Monks go 'ahhh' in the background, which is a selling point for me. I
do worry about Ronny though. The female protagonist of the song doesn't sound
like a healthy influence in his life. Perhaps this song is a salutary tale of
the dangers of Internet dating: "I met her on-line. She took a step back.
I saw her undress. She's like a goddess..."
With its soaring synthesisers, cyclical bass and filigreed guitar "We Never
Learn" sounds like The Cure circa The Head On The Door. Despite its depressing
outlook - this song gives "Sinking" a run for its money in ability
to drain all hope from you - this song is thrilling. Elsewhere "Be My Friend"
sounds spookily like New Order, crossed with the demonic chants of Carmina Burana.
In particular the guitars, Ronny's vocal delivery and the simplicity of the
lyrics all conjure images of Barney Sumner and friends. "All the gifts
you gave to me, it was plain for me to see, that you leave no stone unturned..."
Vintage synths usher in "Cynara". Some flourishes of Eastern promise
keep things interesting. Meanwhile "Pandora's Box" starts like Dead
Can Dance if they'd been regular visitors to Maplins, rather than the World
Music Shop on the High Street. With a woman talking seductively and hysterically
over the top of the languid synths it's like hearing a French film, though it
makes me feel as if I'm missing out on some of the action without the visuals.
We're dancefloor bound for "Under The Wire". I prefer the slower introspective
side of the band – but Ronny's charismatic vocals keep the interest rate
high despite the repetitive beats. "What's Going On" is another song
for the disciples of the glow stick. There's a Gary Numan-esque feel to this
track. Ronny plaintively repeats the title of the song, before asking: "Tell
me, what went wrong?" Then we're led into an instrumental break worthy
of Depeche Mode.
Due the Clan of Xymox's consistency of releasing high quality albums recently
it can be tempting to take the band for granted, but who could have predicted
when the band emerged in 1984 that they would still be a potent force in 2006?
CLAN
OF XYMOX „Breaking Point“
(Pandaimonium/Alive)
Nachdem der Vorbote des neuen Albums, die EP “Weak In My Knees”, schon
für durchweg positive Resonanz sorgte, liegt nun endlich das siebte Studio-Album
der Band um Ronny Moorings vor. Eröffnet wird das Album mit eben genanntem
Titel, welcher sicher bald zu den CLAN OF XYMOX-Klassikern zählen dürfte
und als waschechter Club-Hit bezeichnet werden darf. Es folgt das etwas langsamere,
aber nicht weniger eingängige ´Calling You Out´. Dieser Wechsel
von tanzbaren und ruhigeren, atmosphärischen Songs zieht sich durch das
gesamte Album. ´She’s Dangerous´ und ´Be My Friend´
gehören definitiv in erstere Kategorie, wobei beide Stücke atmosphärisch
noch dichter sind als der Opener. Das Highlight, wenn man das bei einem Album,
bei dem jedes Stück für sich schon eine Single-Auskopplung rechtfertigen
würde, überhaupt sagen kann, besteht in dem langsamen, getragenen
´Eternity´, da der Song besser als die anderen die Essenz, die Einzigartigkeit
von CLAN OF XYMOX widerspiegelt. Ein wunderschön melancholisches Stück,
welches die Hörerschaft von der ersten bis zur letzten Sekunde nicht mehr
los lässt und stark dazu verleitet, die Repeat-Taste zu betätigen.
Doch auch die übrigen Stücke sind von ähnlich hoher Qualität,
es befindet sich nicht eine 'Niete' auf dem Album, welches mit ´What’s
Going On´ mit einem weiteren eingängigen Tanzflächenfüller
endet. Man soll mit Superlativen ja vorsichtig umgehen, aber mit diesem Werk
ist Ronny ein zeitloses Album gelungen, welches beweist, dass CLAN OF XYMOX
auch nach 22 Jahren Bandgeschichte ihre besten Zeiten noch lange nicht hinter
sich haben. Besser geht es kaum! (SP)
Clan
of Xymox exists for over twenty years now and has never delivered a really bad
album. “Breaking Point” unmistakenly carries the Xymox-signature,
without sounding overly dated. On the contrary, the new album is a perfect fusion
of all their different elements: the nostalgic wave atmospheres, danceable synthpop,
contemporary electro, dark gothic rock and of course the typical voice of Ronny
Moorings.
The tone is directly set with the powerful and energetic opening track ‘Weak
in my knees’, after which The Clan manoeuvres between fine uptempo tracks
(’She is dangerous’, ‘What is going on’, ‘Under the
wire’) and haunting electronic goth ballads (’Cynara’, ‘Pandora’s
box’).
“Breaking point” has a tight and clear production and sounds solid
as a rock. I have given up hopes that the band will ever experience a large-scale
breakthrough in the Netherlands, but if there is one album that has that ability,
then it’s this one.
Review
by Jonny EOL -AUDIO
With a previous album called 'Farewell' and a 'Best Of' a year later, one might
have predicted the closure of the Xymox saga. Yet Ronny Mooring is back once
more, and in many respects this album is a continuation of it's predecessor.
Synths are once again pushed to the forefront of many of the tracks, although
guitars do still make their presence felt elsewhere. The uptempo beat and future-poppy
synth lead of album opener 'Weak In My Knees' might again lead one to accuse
Ronny of bandwagon-jumping, but some growly guitar and those uber-dreary vox
leave the listener in no doubt that there's a proper, bona-fide goth at work
here.
The slower, more meanacing 'Calling You Out' follows, possibly an attack against
Ronny's former home town of Amsterdam. It's only after this that we get a taste
of the CoX sound of old - the new-wave melancholy of 'She's Dangerous' followed
by the serene gloomfest of 'Eternally' and 'We Never Learn', two songs echoing
of their 4AD years, all shimmering guitar and funereal synth-texture topped
off with resigned vocals from the terminally morose Ronny, the elements from
which some of the finest of the Clan's tracks were made.
Things get a little more upbeat for a while 'O Fortuna' sampling 'Be My Friend',
before the synth-led gloom of 'Cynara' (I guess they had to refer to a girl's
name at least once) and the pretty instrumental number 'Pandora's Box' before
veering back onto club-friendly territory with 'Under The Wire' and finishing
on 'What's Going On'. Even if this collection doesn't really represent anything
new for Clan of Xymox, it's still an impressive effort that should offer something
to all facets of the band's fanbase. They've still got what it takes to cut
it in the 21st Century scene, which is more than you can say from some 80s goth
survivors.
Still considered one of the pioneers of gothic rock, Clan of Xymox caused a
lot of panic with their last two releases among fans. Rumors started flying
with the release of Farewell that the band was disbanding and the release of
The Best of Clan of Xymox further fueled the rumor mill. Fans will be happy
to know that the release of a brand new studio album is upon us. Breaking Point
is Clan of Xymoxs eleventh full length CD in 22 years. Exhibiting a more mature
sound than on is predecessors, Breaking Point leans more towards dark rock than
gothic rock. Subtle keyboards overlaid with guitars and live drum sounds have
become the focal points of this album. However not to be outdone by the music
alone, Ronny Mooringss deep sensuous vocals accentuate the music and bring forth
the deeper meanings of the songs such as in Calling You Out, Eternally and We
Never Learn. Its impossible to imagine a way that Clan of Xymox could get any
better than they are now. Perhaps they have reached their own Breaking Point?
I
can’t say I have ever been a hardcore fan of Clan of Xymox. I’ve heard
songs here and there and some were pretty cool, some not so much. With their
newest release, I have to say, the songs I remember never sounded like this.
As soon as the first song starts, Weak In My Knees, bands like Sisters of Mercy,
Bauhaus, and even Echo and the Bunnymen came to mind. This entire CD would easily
be classified as Goth-rock. The older songs I recall were more eletro-industrial
in sound. But I admit, the more I listened to this CD the more I liked it. I
really dug the songs Cynara and We never Learn. The latter reminding me of an
older Clan song titled Waterfront. (which is totally BADASS)
All the songs are somber in tone but still manage to have an impact. This is
a really good CD and I’m glad I had the chance to review it, or else I
may have never given it a chance. Overall, this CD should satisfy everyone from
the Hardcore Zombie Goths to the Poser Hot Topic Goths. Enjoy.
At
first listen I was almost disappointed with this release, thinking fondly back
to Medusa and even hidden faces , but upon subsequent listens something started
to grow on me...
Perhaps the variety of sounds, tempos and styles on the CD makes it a truly
remarkable album. And of course there is the typical Xymox sound with the emotional
charged voice of Ronny Moorings; successfully creating new directions within
a sound that remains typical, as we are used to from Clan of Xymox.
'Be my friend' sticks into your head after you heard it just once. The thrill
of passion and mystery is in 'She's dangerous', nostalgia in 'Eternally' and
it's almost like you watch a movie while you listen to 'Pandora's box', the
soundtrack to a passionate play.
As we're used to from Clan of Xymox the album shows a perfect mix between electronics
and guitars with truly great vocals. The lyrics are expressive. For those who
like the sound of Clan of Xymox, this release is a must have; it's one of the
best albums, which shows that it's possible to express a kind of art that's
familiar while it is original too.
Very
good sound, some sngs are very catchy (e.g. Weak in my knees and Be my friend).
A good variety of old-school sounds and newer electro-influences.
Also some nice down-tempo tracks.
Only the last track (What's going on) sounds a bit to poppy for me...
Great album!
Clan of Xymox exists for over twenty years now and has never delivered a really bad album. “Breaking Point” unmistakenly carries the Xymox-signature, without sounding overly dated. On the contrary, the new album is a perfect fusion of all their different elements: the nostalgic wave atmospheres, danceable synthpop, contemporary electro, dark […]
Yesternight
pl
Clan Of Xymox Breaking Point The unquestionable legend of gothic scene is back!
Dark, mysterious, incredible - as usual...The CD "Breaking point"
next on the long list of dark soundscapes features wonderful compositions; the
harbinger that the promotes the album in Poland - "Eternally", enigmatic
"Cynara or hypnotic "Pandora's Box" are just some of them...
Here we have the return of Ronny Moorings and his Clan Of Xymox,three years after 2003's "Farewell.."."Breaking Point" then and the title states it clear.The album kick off with "Weak In My Kness",a club-hit already in goth-clubs around the world while "Calling You Out" reminds me the Xymox era and generally has a 90's feeling...excellent,one of my favorites."She's In Dangerous" has the classic CoX sound,as it should be."Cynara" is surely one of the best tracks of the album...It feels very personal and it is both simplistic in terms of arrangement and viscerally complicated by way of the emphasis on atmosphere.In conclusion its a great comeback by the Dutch pioneers.Two thumbs up!
“Weak
in the Knees” is the obligatory club cut meant to keep their music pumping
on the club floors for old and new fans alike. In spite of the decided energy
of this track, lyrically it paints a morose craving for unrequited love. “Calling
You Out” will become an anthemic battle cry for the underground scene.
“What happened to our scene?/The fire must be rekindled/In this cold dying
stream/...Maybe I am just too naïve/Maybe it’s just you and me.”
For those who may have noticed, the underground scene has metamorphosed as a
strange animal. Once the dark clad club revelers were the ones of note, and
now we see little more than Hot Topic knockoffs without any understanding of
the underground dark scene that came before them. “Eternally” takes
us to that point in life when we come in contact with an old love and find that
the feelings of affection remain under the surface but unresolved. “We
Never Learn” is the crux of Breaking Point. Essentially we go through this
life thinking that there is a sense of completion at the end of an undertaking.
Instead, all we are left with are more questions so overwhelming that they can
break us apart when we finally wake up and realize that we aren’t so in
control of our destiny as we would like to think. “Be My Friend” mixes
“O Fortuna” into the track, giving it the decided old world marriage
towards today’s electro beats.
Breaking Point is a methodic blend of guitar chords around the electronic elements,
which punctuate the emotional component inherent with the lyrics. Thematically,
this release intentionally encapsulates poignant emotions unlike any others
of the past. For some, their breaking point can be unrequited love, either due
from an untimely breakup or from a relationship losing the heat of romance to
become nothing more than platonic. While there are a number of club friendly
tracks here, the crux of the work has a lyrical focus unlike anything the band
has done in the past.
Mike V
Amsterdam’s
gifts to the world don’t end with legal marijuana usage and ubiquitous
prostitution; it also boasts a fluent musical scene laden with different layers
of sound. Clan of Xymox is one of The Netherlands’ wonderful exports to
the world stage. Their latest release, Breaking Point, will surely please lovers
of all things dark and gothic.
Unlike some industrial music artists who elaborate too much with samples and
monotone vocals, Clan Of Xymox utilizes different measures and tones to create
an unique experience for either the more than 40-year-old fat club kid or the
ultra-hip goth child who just woke up from their coffin, put on some white face
and dark eyeliner and went gallivanting off to a masquerade.
Breaking Point’s sound is different, to say the least, as it flourishes
with different velocities of structures and melodies harmonized by a multitude
of synthesizer chords, drum beats and paralyzing instrumentations that create
an illusion of a full live band playing in your living room.
“She’s Dangerous” delves into the quirky, old-fashioned techno
beat of the late ‘80s or early ‘90s with catchy hooks, danceable beats
and a more moody vocal range creating a gothic influence.
“Calling You Out” however, brings back the “new romantic”
phase of the early ‘80s with hints of light pop melodies, a tight rhythm
section and a more luminous vocal range reminiscent of early Nick Cave or The
Cure.
Clan Of Xymox doesn’t disappoint their adoring fans with Breaking Point;
it’s a mixture of dance beats and pop hits rolled into a scroll of electronic
and industrial tightly tucked into a ball of wax.
Francis Petruziello
"Featuring searing guitar lines, strong bass sounds mixed with atmospheric and powerful synths and Ronny Mooring's deep, sensuous and harmonic voice 'Breaking Point' delivers all of Xymox's trademark sounds and references offered in their iconic and unique style. This 'classic' sound is no more evident than on album opener and first single Weak In My Knees - a club hit par excellence : mighty tunes, powerful chorus line, a perfect sing-a-long melody which catches the listener in an instant. The following track Calling You Out shows them from their darker, even more aggressive side with straight guitar lines and no compromises, while She’s Dangerous is yet another dancefloor hit - complete with infectious synth lines, driving rhythms and a permenant hook. Eternally, We Never Learn and Cynara are songs that will capture the hearts of their older fans immediately - quiet, almost introspective, slow, thoughtful and eternal. Be My Friend presents another powerful club hit while album closers Pandora’s Box - forms an interlude into the aggressive song Under The Wire (a track that demonstrates perfectly the rockier side of Clan Of Xymox) and finally What’s Going On? a melodic masterpiece that demands replaying."
Listening
to Clan of Xymox’s new release on Metropolis, Breaking Point (2006), is
like slipping into a favorite pair of well-worn blue jeans. Even though the
sound has been updated in places, the album is very much in keeping with CoX’s
return to its electro-goth roots and Moorings’ voice and guitar speak to
one like old friends.
The album begins with a bang with "Weak in My Knees," an up-tempo
track more reminiscent of Funker Vogt or Front 242 than Clan of Xymox and one
sure to find a home on club dancefloors. However, the band migrates easily back
into familiar territory with the second track, "Calling You Out" which,
in many respects, seems to be the song most representative not only of the album,
but of Clan of Xymox’s return to its goth roots more generally. The "you"
being called out in the title is the goth scene as a whole as Mooring questions,
"Where are all the others? / What happened to our scene?" and then
asserts, "The fire must be rekindled / In this cold dying stream."
As on Farewell, Breaking Point features a mix of up-tempo floor-fillers and
more meditative atmospheric tracks, many of which are built around themes of
hynotic love and loss. The Cure-esque "We Never Learn" laments the
perversity of human nature while the spritely "Be My Friend" makes
interesting, if perhaps gratuitous, use of sound bites and joins "Weak
in My Knees" and "Calling You Out" in having clear dancefloor
potential.
Overall, with Breaking Point Clan of Xymox has released a well-produced, enjoyable
album that certainly won’t disappoint CoX fans and is likely to win them
new ones as well.
Here
we are once again with Ronny Moorings and his Clan of Xymox. After the triumph
of 2003's "Farewell" I wondered where he could go from such a lofty
perch. With the new "Breaking Point", he has stayed where it's safe
and comfortable.
"Weak in My Knees" was unremarkable as a single and it's not really
much better on album. It is, however, disturbingly futurepoppy. "Calling
You out" sounds a bit more like the Xymox I know and its lyrical content
asks some pertinent questions about the scene which, after over 23 years, the
Clan still find themselves in. I could tell you what I think but that's another
story...
By the time the third track "She's Dangerous" rolls out it seems,
at last, that we are finally listening to Clan of Xymox. Moorings has been hanging
about in chatrooms, it would seem. Naughty boy. "Breaking Point" is
much more electronically based than previous efforts have been and it works
generally; those classic Xymox guitars are right where they need to be.
"Cynara" I really do think is the stand-out track of the album. It
feels very personal and it is both simplistic in terms of arrangement and viscerally
complicated by way of the emphasis on atmosphere. You won't find any new tricks
with the Clan's new one but as the the sound of this Dutch institution is so
unique, that's just fine.
PETER MARKS
CLAN
OF XYMOX - Breaking Point (2006)Im Gegensatz zu dem, was eigentlich nach beiden
letzten Veröffentlichungen zu erwarten war, scheinen sich CLAN OF XYMOX,
zumindest im Ansatz, an ihre Ursprünge zurück zu besinnen. Im Vordergrund
steht nicht mehr der Future Pop, sondern ein ausgeglichener Mix aus Electro
und den alten Wave-Stücken.
Besonders gefallen mir hier She's Dangerous und Cynara, zwar rückwärts
orientiert, aber das sind CLAN OF XYMOX wie man sie eigentlich erwartet. Bleibt
abschließend zu hoffen, das zukünftige Releases in diese Richtung
gehen.
Clan of Xymox bestaat al ruim twintig jaar en heeft nog nooit een écht
slecht album afgeleverd. 'Breaking point' draagt onmiskenbaar het Xymox-stempel,
zonder overdreven gedateerd over te komen. Sterker nog, op het nieuwe album
komt alles perfect bij elkaar: de wave-sferen van weleer, dansbare synthpop,
moderne electro, duistere gothrock en natuurlijk de typische stem van Ronny
Moorings. De toon wordt gezet met de krachtige en opzwepende albumopener 'Weak
in my knees', waarna de Clan laveert tussen uitstekende uptemo tracks ('She
is dangerous', 'What is going on', 'Under the wire') en bezwerende elektronische
gothballads ('Cynara', 'Pandora's box'). 'Breaking point' is strak en kraakhelder
geproduceerd en staat als een huis. Ik heb de moed al opgegeven dat de groep
ooit nog op grote schaal zal doorbreken in Nederland, maar als daar één
album voor kan zorgen, is het deze wel.
For over two decades now Ronny has be producing his own style of electro-influenced goth rock. Breaking Point, the 7th full length from Clan of Xymox, is no different. From the slower, sweeping pieces like Eternally and Pandora’s Box to the more upbeat, dance floor orientated tracks such as Weak in My Knees and What’s Going On?, Clan of Xymox continue to share their unique brand of music. She’s Dangerous, with its acoustic guitars, raw beats, and smooth vocals, was by immediate favorite. Ronny’s distinctive crooning flows effortlessly across the more 80’s tempo’d goth inspired music. Under the Wire is an up tempo piece with a pulsating rhythm, suave vocals, and a distant beat. Weak in My Knees, which was the first single released from Breaking Point, is by far the most accessible and dance floor friendly track on the CD. Jumpy rhythms, addictive vocals and rumbling synths are joined with Ronny’s captivating vocals. Even though it seems to me that only the technical parts of Clan of Xymox’s sound has changed over the years, Ronny’s unique talent for keeping his music and style original and nearly unchanged since the beginning is the biggest selling point. After all, it is the distinctive brand of music that got him his notoriety.
*
Clan Of Xymox : Breaking Point **** (Pandaimonium / Avr. 06)
* Avec ce titre et sa pochette évocateurs, on pourrait penser que Ronny
est arrivé au terme de quelque chose, mais de quoi ? D’ailleurs,
les paroles du single "Weak in my knees" qui débute l’album
vont également dans ce sens. Pourtant, musicalement, c’est une impression
toute autre qui se dégage, s’il est un terme abouti, il s’agit
alors d’une fin de période d’essai, voire d’une apogée.
Le Clan est toujours sur le chemin qu’il avait commencé à
tracer avec "Notes From The Underground" : des sonorités modernes,
teintées d’electro-dark, signes d’une évolution que
Ronny avait désirée progressive pour garder son public en alerte
sans le bousculer. Pourtant, l’effet escompté avait raté,
du moins en France, et si "Notes From The Underground" reste ici certainement
l’album le plus controversé de Clan Of Xymox, le déterminisme
de Ronny a su faire la part des choses et c’est avec "Farewell"
en 2003 qu’il avait su reconvaincre ses fans échaudés grâce
à un mélange cette fois des plus réussis, d’electro,
de synth/wave et de guitare. "Breaking Point" arrive en phase avec
cette évolution et en est peut-être la part la plus aboutie à
ce jour. Ce qui est particulièrement énervant avec cet album,
c’est que même en voulant le détruire, on se trouve confronté
à des points positifs qui viennent contrecarrer toute critique négative.
Exemple concret avec "Be my friend", on ne peut pas faire plus pompeux
que ce sample électronisé de "Carmina Burana". Et bien
pourtant, ce tube est efficace, le sample ne plombe pas, n’est pas en surdose,
et le reste coule à merveille. Rageant ! On écoutera même
avec surprise le génial "Pandora’s Box" qui n’a rien
à voir avec le reste mais qui n’en trouve pas moins sa place, offrant
une petite pause originale et particulièrement glauque. Aucun morceau
n’est à jeter et depuis "Creatures", on n’a jamais
autant ressenti de vie, de sincérité et d’intégrité
à s’abreuver de la magique voix de Ronny. Si bien qu’on ne
peut même plus dire, quand on l’a pensé, que Clan Of Xymox
est un groupe goth de base pour goths de base et qu’en conséquence
tout cela baigne dans le médiocre et la facilité. "Breaking
Point" positionne le groupe à sa place, qu’elle soit mal vue
ou non, c’est du moins la sienne et la bonne ! C’est donc l’album
des vérités rétablies, ou des vérités tout
court…
One of the pioneers of gothic rock is back with a new album. Weird? Well, yeah,
because I was already getting in panic last time when they released " Farewell"
and a best of. Rumours were here and there spreading that the band would call
it quits and honestly it was a plausible rumour.
But that was just bull of part of a well keened out PR stunt so it turned out.
Anyhow, they caught my attention with "Breaking Point" as title again
as well.
A breaking point you say?Well , not entirely, the Cox do what they are good
at here and that is realising addictive and effective melodic moods gothic music
without losing themselves in endless dwelling like so many other goth acts appear
to be enjoying.
No , on "Breaking Point" they bring an even more mature sound that
is alienating them more and more from the lesser gods. There is a bigger stress
on the guitars which get a darker rock taint, but it stays very much the COX
sound we all love and enjoy. Add to that Ronny Moorings's deep vocals and you
can only but be perplex of what you hear. The summit of this pot pourri can
be heard on " Weak In My Knees" where guitars and synths are 100%
balanced out. Another highlight is " She's Dangerous" and there are
many others I could name here. Honestly, of the 5 albums I have from the COX
this is definitely a band showing itself in its full maturity. They hit and
did not miss at all with an interesting balance between upbeat & more moody
songs!
Weak In My Knees E.P.
Clan
Of Xymox ist sicherlich eine Band, die man nicht mehr großartig vorstellen
muß. Seit gut 2 Jahrzehnten verwöhnen die aus den Niederlanden stammende
Band die Wave- & Gothikgemeinde mit hervorragendem Output. Und knapp 1 1ž2
Jahre nach ihrem Best-Of-Album erscheint nun mit der Maxi-CD „Weak In My
Knees“ ein Vorbote für das im April erscheinende neue Album "Breaking
Point".
Unter dem Titelsong muß man sich einen klassischen COX-Song vorstellen,
der sofort in Bein und Kopf übergeht – vor allem Ronny Moorings sehr
prägnante Stimme sorgt für ein hohes Erkennungspotential. Auffallend
ist, dass der Sound wieder mehr Richtung Elektronik geht. Auch die Remixe von
z.B. Grendel und Azoic zeigen diesen Trend auf – wobei die dargebotenen
Remixe zwar ganz nett sind, aber sicherlich jetzt nicht zu den Überfliegern
gehören. Etwas mehr Abwechslung hätte hier sicherlich nicht geschadet.
Abgerundet wird die trotzdem sehr empfehlenswerte Maxi mit 2 neuen Versionen
des Klassikers „Michelle“, der es seinerzeit nicht mit auf die Best-Of-Cd
geschafft hat. Und hier zeigt sich, dass ein neues Gewand dem Song in keinstem
Falle geschadet hat. Vor allem der Deep In Pain Remix von Destroid aka Daniel
Myer (Haujobb) klingt sehr überzeugend. Zu guter Letzt gibt es mit „Calling
You Out“ einen weiteren neuen Song als Vorgeschmack zum neuen Silberling,
sowie das Video zu „Weak In My Knees“.
Autor: thono
CLAN
OF XYMOX - WEAK IN MY KNEES
Hetgeen sinds jaren wordt omschreven als het ‘typisch Xymox geluid’
zou je ook kunnen duiden met het fingerspitzengefühl van Ronny Moorings
om als geen ander en zonder schijnbaar veel moeite tot een ideale mix van synthesizers
en gitaren te komen. Persoonlijk beschouw ik Clan of Xymox als de ‘oersoep
der gothische muziek’, maar dat komt natuurlijk ook omdat ik vele bands
die als grondlegger van wat gothic is gaan heten, niet zozeer kan waarderen.
Maar dit even terzijde.
Toch is enige bewondering op z’n plaats voor wie al ruim twintig jaar middels
een zeer bekend geluid met de jaren niet minder vernieuwend voor de dag is gaan
komen, zo ook met de meest recente release ‘Weak in my knees’.
Het titelnummer is weer een krachtig staaltje ÑXymox sound’, dat
het ook op de dansvloer niet verkeerd zal doen. En er kan ook nog eens afgewisseld
worden, met dank aan The Azoic, Dimitri en Grendel voor hun remixen van het
titelnummer.
Een nieuwe opname van ‘Michelle’ (nog node gemist op de Best Of cd
uit 2004, hier tevens in een remix van Destroid aanwezig) en de nieuwe song
‘Calling you out’ completeren deze cd, waarop als extraatje ook nog
de videoclip van ‘Weak in my knees’ is te aanschouwen.
Clan
Of Xymox - Weak in My Knees (Pandaimonium)
The Godfathers of Goth techno have released a European-only E.P. And the seven
songs (three remixes of “Weak in My Knees", two remixes of “Michelle",
and an ominously wonderful song, “Calling You Out") won't disappoint
any of their fans and any fan really of EBM and dark electro. The first mix
of “Weak in My Knees" is the best and illustrates just how state-of-the-art
Xymox's sound is and has been since their return to form in the latter '90s.
This Dutch band ripped apart the electro scene in 1984 on the 4AD label with
the release of the seminal album Clan of Xymox and now 22 years later sound
as vital as ever. The two mixes of the song, “Michelle" are extraordinary
contrasts in just what this band is capable of. The first mix is a melancholy
funky dance lament to a lover, while the second mix, with the acoustic guitars
driving the riff, show Xymox can hold their own with the occasional reference
to Cure influences that pop up now and then. Hopefully this E.P. Is a prelude
to a full-blown album coming out soon. (Jim Harris)
Zwei Jahre nach seiner Best Of Veröffentlichung meldet sich RonnyMoorings
alias Clan Of Xymox mit der Vorab EP zum kommenden Album zurück. Der Titeltrack
Weak In My Knees vereint dabei alles, was ein echter Clubhit braucht.Er ist
tanzbar und hat eine einprägsame melodie, alles in gewohnter Clan Of Xymox
Qualität.Auch die drei Remixe von Weak In My Knees sind nicht zu verachten,vor
allem der Azoic Mix besticht durch seine ganz eigene Interpretation des Titels.
Das eher gitarrenlastige Calling You Out sowie eine neue Version des Titels
Michelle bohren sich ebenfalls sofort in den Gehörgang und sind von dort
nicht so schnell wieder zu vertreiben. Weak In My Knees gehört in jede
CD sammlung und weckt die Neugier auf da im Frühjahr erscheinende neue
Album, dessen Titel bisher noch nicht feststeht.
Babett Jahn
Clan Of Xymox "Weak In My Knees"
Mit „Weak In My Knees“ schlagen Clan Of Xymox knapp 1 1ž2 Jahre nach
dem Erscheinen ihres „Best Of“ Albums die erste Seite eines neuen
Kapitels auf. Der Titelsong bündelt sämtliche binnen der letzten Monate
gesammelte Energien der Band um Ronny Moorings und wandelt diese in innovative
von einer ausgewogenen Mixtur aus Elektro- und Gitarrenklängen bestimmte
Sounds um.
Gewannen bei den letzten Clan Of Xymox Veröffentlichungen noch die Gitarreneinsätze
immer mehr an Bedeutung, so verlagert „Weak In My Knees“ diesen Schwerpunkt
wieder eindeutig in Richtung Elektronik. Der Titel geht im wahrsten Sinne des
Wortes „richtig ab“ und wird die elektronischen Tanztempel des Kontinents
sicherlich binnen kürzester zeit erobern. Ronny Moorings´ Stimme
legt sich charismatisch und dunkel über die Sounds und zieht den Hörer
unvermittelt in ihren Bann.
Unter den sieben Tracks der neuen Clan Of Xymox Ep befinden sich neben vier
verschiedenen Interpretationen des Titelstücks sodann ebenfalls zwei Remixe
von „Michelle“, einem Titel, der aus Platzgründen nicht mehr
für das seinzeitige „Best Of“ Album Berücksichtigung fand
sowie der exklusive neue Titel „Calling You Out“, ein erster Leckerbissen
des für das Frühjahr 2006 angekündigten neuen Clan Of Xymox Albums.
Und als speziellen Bonus halten Clan Of Xymox dann auch noch das offizielle
Promotion Video für den Genuss auf dem PC für die Fans bereit. Alles
in allem eine Veröffentlichung, die viel qualitative Musik fürs Geld
bietet und nicht zuletzt auch aufgrund der diversen Remixe der Songs von The
Azoic, oder auch Grendel die musikalische Maskenvielfalt der Sounds der Niederländer
aufzeigt.
© Ingo Möller
Les
dernières "prouesses" du Hollandais Ronny Moorings risquent
de diviser leur monde.Weak In My Knees, EP paraissant en prélude au nouvel
album de son célèbre Clan Of Xymox. lui fait adopter une posture
frontalement dance floor. Le beat ne cherche donc pas de véritable modulation
et les volumes rythmiques, lourds, visent bel et bien le boost constant d'un
ensemble ne gardant des guitares que de discrètes apparitions ( le single"
Weak In My Knees").Le référentiel gothique , prégnant
sur des albums tels que les excellents Hidden Faces ou Creatures, tend a s'estomper
depuis Notes from the Underground et surtout Farewell. Ronny Moorings poursuit
sur cette lancée mais réintroduit cependant des voix relativement
sépulcrales. Il génère au milieu du EP quelques titres
qui reviennent partiellement a ce Clan Of Xymox que préféreront
les adeptes de la "période du retour"; "Calling You Out"
et a un moindre niveau le remix de "Michelle" ( par Destroid alais
Haujobb)renouent avec une forme plus glaciale et évocatrice,précédées
par la petit clou du spectacle, une nouvelle version studio de "Michelle"
réalisée en 2006 et qui sans apporter d'importantes nouveautés,
donne au EP une respiration nécessaire, face aux multiples et aléatoires
tentatives de remix du single.
Emmanuelle Hennequin
Weak In My Knees
Da die Halbwertszeit des letzten Albums "Farewell" (Herbst 2004) nun
überschritten sein dürfte und die zwischenzeitliche Best Of ja nicht
wirklich neues Material bot, bieten Clan of Xymox dem geneigten Hörer mit
der EP "Weak In My Knees" nun neues Material, das gleichzeitig auch
einen Vorgeschmack auf das Mitte April erscheinende neue Studioalbum geben soll.
Dieser Vorgeschmack ist sicherlich ein guter. Der Titeltrack der EP weiß
zu überzeugen. Er schafft es gekonnt, tanzbare elektronische Klänge
mit einer sehr riff-freudigen Gitarre zu kombinieren. Das Augenmerk wurde hier
gleichermaßen auf Eingängigkeit wie auch auf die Tanzfläche
gelegt - so erschaffen Clan of Xymox ein eingängiges, schönes Stück
rockig angehauchte elektronische Musik mit melancholisch angefïärbtem
Charakter. Um dem Stück noch weitere Facetten abzugewinnen, finden sich
zusätzlich drei Remixe auf der EP: The Azoic verstärken den elektronischen
Charakter, indem sie die Gitarre unter sonst weitestgehender Beibehaltung der
ursprünglichen Arrangements weglassen, der "Dimitri NI Mix" gibt
dem Stück einen leicht technoiden Charakter und Grendel geben dem Stück
eine leicht eigene Note, ohne dabei aber die Härte ihrer eigenen Musik
zu erreichen (was dem Stück vermutlich auch eher geschadet hätte).
Zur Vervollständigung findet sich auf der CD auch noch der zugehörige
Clip.
Ein Blick auf die drei weiteren Titel ist ebenso lohnenswert. So gibt "Calling
You Out" einen weiteren guten Vorgeschmack auf das kommende Album. Es ist
etwas nachdenklicher, dabei aber doch tanzbar und stärker von den elektronischen
Klängen geprägt, wenngleich auch hier die verzerrte Gitarre nicht
vermisst wird. Zusätzlich gibt es noch zwei Varianten des Klassikers "Michelle":
Eine Neuaufnahme unter Beibehaltung der Originalarrangements, die kaum authentischer
Xymox sein könnte, dazu ein Remix von Destroid, der daraus ein düsteres
Elektronik-Stück macht. Eine interessante Kombination, die aber doch recht
logisch erscheint - schließlich ist die Band von Amsterdam nach Leipzig
gezogen, womit Daniel Myer sozusagen ein Nachbar geworden ist. Und gute Arbeit
hat er alle mal geleistet.
Zur Abrundung befinden sich in der EP die Texte zum Titelstück und zu "Calling
You Out". "I feel weak in my knees" - eine Textzeile, die es
nach dieser EP unter Umständen vom einen oder anderen Tanzflächenbesucher
häufiger zu hören geben könnte.
Veröffentlichung: 13.01.2006
Autor: Marius Meyer
diese CD kaufen
After the "Best Of"-cd Cox moved to Leipzig( Germany). While we're eagerly awaiting the new full lenght this ep comes and hits us by real surprise.The title song marks an important evolution in sound where the basis of Ronny Moorings became more electronic minded. This is the perfect symbiosis between great wave guitars and electronic power. This new song stands for power and dynamism! 3 remixes have been recorded. First comes a cool remix by the Azoic ( confirming the electronic potential of the original version) next one by Dimitri NI and finally one by Grendel ( which is by the way isn't his best one Grendel ever did). Another new song is entitled " CAlling You Out"which comes closer to what COX has always used to.The familiar " Michelle"song has been featured in a Re recorded version while also remixed by Destroid. None of the versionstotally convince me although they're more than simply b-side songs. An interesting evolution for this legendary band!
BEST OF CLAN OF XYMOX
When you have a history that spans 20 years and includes more than 30 releases
(including CD singles and remix albums) under their name as Clan of Xymox and
as Xymox, it seems perfectly appropriate to release this "Best Of"
album. Their history and the music provided throughout that history is very
impressive. This album brings all of that out in the form of 14 strong selections
and proves to the world the wonderful talents this group has portrayed over
the years. From the very beginning their music has been stunning and they have
only built on that one album after another.
I have to say that when I receive a CD like this and have it in my hands and
CD player, it is one of the easiest reviews I have to do. As I look back over
the years and pick up each album and flip through it or listen to it in it's
entirety, each of these tracks bring back so many memories and thoughts about
when I picked up each one over the years. There is no doubt that these are some
of the best songs released by this group, and some of the best released in the
related electro-goth genres.
The album contains the original versions of some of the later recordings, but
the special treat for long-time fans who probably already have all of this material
is the new recordings or alternate mixes. Of the fourteen tracks, half of them
are either alternate mixes or new recordings. The songs from the earlier albums
have been newly recorded including the very popular "Louise", "Back
Door", "A Day", "Muscoviet Mosquito" and "Stranger".
These are extremely well done as the moving beats and combination of guitars,
solid synth-lines and Ronny's emotional and solid vocals combine for masterpiece
after masterpiece. The alternate mixes include "I Want You Now" and
"Into Extremes", two of the latest popular tracks from their later
works.
The order on the album provides a nice variety by mixing them up so their not
really done in chronological order. The popular bomastic track "There's
No Tomorrow" kicks it off and we go from one club hit to another as we
go from "Jasmine and Rose", the huge hit that brought them back into
the spotlight of the goth scene after a few years and then to "I Want You
Now". We jump back several years for "A Day" and the dreamy classic
Clan of Xymox track "Louise". It's not all about driving club tracks
with their history and thus the appearance of the popular single "Consolation"
with it's downtempo style is appropriate.
This is how it all shapes up and this ends up being a great treat for new and
old fans alike. Having these great tracks in one spot for me doesn't mean I'll
stop listening to the individual album, but as a DJ makes it easy to have them
in one spot. A great addition to any collection. Don't hesitate to pick it up!
Rating: 5/5
Almost every band will reach the point, if they exit long enough that is, in wich they will make a best of cd. A special thing is that the fans themselves got a saying in which tracks should be chosen to appear on this compilation. Furthermore it is striking that the tracklist of the cd is not chronological, but compiled in a way that songs from every period of Clan of Xymox are placed more ‘at random’ on the cd. This makes it easier to get used to the new versions of some of the old songs. . ‘A Day’, ‘Louise’, ‘Muscoviet Musquito’, ‘Backdoor’ and ‘Stranger’. Although i miss the sounds and exact atmosphere of the old versions, i really want to state that the new versions are absolutely tasteful, as it are in no way cheap futurepop derivates from the original tracks. Of ‘Into Extremes’ and ‘I Want You Now’ there are new mixes present on this compilation. The choice of tracks is always something to complain about, but as it is done now it has resulted in a very nice overview of the discography of Clan of Xymox altogether. Which is exactly the intention of this cd ofcourse. This is a very nice record and a excellent introduction to anyone not (really) familiar with Holland’s pride in gothic realms.
Nach
nunmehr 20 Jahren veröffentlichen Clan Of Xymox nun endlich eine "The
Best Of" CD. Die 14 Titel sind gezielt ausgewählt und spiegeln das
musikalische Schaffen einer der eindrucksvollsten Dark Wave Bands der letzten
Jahrzehnte wider. Angefangen hat alles im September 1984 mit der Veröffentlichung
des Mini-Albums "Subsequent Pleasures".
Darauf folgten dann noch zwei weitere CDs, bis Ronny Moorings sich sodann entschloss,
sich neu finden zu wollen. Das Resultat dieses Vorhabens erblickte dann mit
einer ersten Veröffentlichung im Jahr 1988 unter dem Namen Xymox das Licht
der Welt.
Erst im jahr 1997 besann er sich wieder auf seine Ursprünge und einer Wiederbelebung
des Clan Of Xymox stand nichts mehr im Wege. Alben wie "Hidden Faces",
"Tales From The Underground" oder auch das letzte Werk "Farewell"
machten deutlich, dass die Entscheidung, zu den eigenen Wurzeln und zum alten
Bandnamen zurückzukehren die richtige gewesen ist.
"The Best Of Clan Of Xymox" beinhaltet ausnahmslos Songs der offiziellen
Clan Of Xymox Releases. Doch anlässlich dieser Veröffentlichung hat
man nicht einfach auf die Originale zurückgegriffen, sondern diverse Titel
neu abgemischt und teilweise sogar zusätzlich komplett neu eingespielt.
Titel wie "Jasmine And Rose", This World", "There´s
No Tomorrow" oder auch "Muscoviet Musquito" sind einfach gigantisch
und unterstreichen einmal mehr die Einmaligkeit dieser großarteigen Band
- Clan Of Xymox sind die besseren Sisters Of Mercy!
After
a 20 year career, one of the best known and highly revered electro-goth bands
of all time releases its first “best of” collection, simply titled,
“The Best of Clan of Xymox”. COX has assembled 14 tracks voted on
by the fans to best represent this treasured act, and its imaginative, groundbreaking
music. “The Best Of” should serve as a great jumping on point for
new fans as well as a must have for the initiated, because COX have re-recorded
and re-mixed many of the tracks. Featured here as re-recordings are “A
Day”, “Louis”, “Muscoviet Musquito”, “Back Door”,
and “Stranger”. Re-mixes include “I Want You Now” and “Into
Extremes”. Tracks that appear in their original form are, “There’s
No Tomorrow”, “Jasmine & Rose”, “Consolation”,
“This World”, “Innocent”, “Out of the Rain”, and
“Farewell”.
Vocalist Ronny Moorings offers his reasons for these changes inside of the extensive
accompanying booklet, and reminisces about his memories of the tracks as well.
I will say in his defense of some die hard fans out there that the re-recording
and mixing of these songs does not hurt their integrity, it only enhances it,
as the artists deem them the definitive versions. The production is crisper
and the sound much cleaner than previously released versions of the songs, and
not much else has changed about them. Overall, this is an in depth look at the
career of one of the genre’s best and most imitated musical giants and
is an essential edition to any fan's collection.Added: Tuesday, September 28,
2004
Reviewer: Justin Rowland
With
fourteen classic COX tracks adorning this album, it’s hard to see exactly
who its aimed at. But to be fair, I feel this album falls into a little bit
of each of the following camps – attracting fans of their more recent works
to some of COX’s older material, and giving long standing fans some well
known tracks but with different mixes. It’s a good split, and I feel it
works well.
So what do we have on this epic then? Well, the album kicks off with ‘There’s
no tomorrow’ from the recent Farewell album. This is a blinding track,
and a good introduction to what is to come.
Moving onto ‘Jasmine and Rose’, taking us back to the roots of the
COX sound – this is dark Goth at it’s best! Turn out the lights and
Goth your little socks off to this. Classic Goth guitars, dark imposing vocals,
this is superb.
‘I want you now’ is a new mix, and works well. Still distinctly COX,
and a great track to wreck out to. Actually, of all the tracks on here that
have been re-mixed for this release, none of them (in my mind) detract from
the original versions. This is a relief for die hard COX fans.
‘A Day’ follows on from this – this is a new recording and a
new mix for this album – powerful and dynamic, this is a dance floor filler
if ever there was one. Sleek and imposing, punchy melodies cannot help but get
you up and moving. Brilliant stuff!
‘Louise’ again is a new recording and mix – more mellow and thoughtful,
this track is typically flowery-goth at it’s finest. Acoustic guitars and
a progressive bassline accompany the laid back vocals.
‘Consolation’, ‘This World’ and ‘Innocent’ follow
on from here, and are all original mixes. What can I say, it’s great to
hear them again, and it’s about at this point that you realise that the
music tempo balance on this album has been struck just right. I put this down
partly to the fact that the calibre of tracks on this release is so bloody good.
‘Into Extremes’ is a new recording and mix – it’s dark and
foreboding into brings us to the distinctive COX euphoric audio climax as all
the instruments come in, to launch the song properly. Nice!
‘Out of the rain’ comes crashing in after this, and it’s back
to the dance floor for all you old school Goths out there.
‘Muscoviet Musquito’ and ‘Back Door’, again are new mixes
and recordings, and again do not detract too much from the originals. It’s
great to hear ‘Back Door’ again, as for an old Goth like me, this
brings back some fond memories.
‘Farewell’, and original mix follows this – nice to see the album
top and tailed by relatively new tracks – this one demands to be turned
up, and allowed to wash over you.
The album finishes with a new recording of ‘Stranger’, and this sombre
yet melodic number is a fitting end to what is to my mind, a great album. Possibly
one of the best ‘best of’ albums I’ve heard for a long time.
What can I say, this album will appeal to new and old COX fans alike, and is
not a waste of cash at all. It’s a great introduction to the world of COX
for new fans, and a complete blast from the past for die hard fans too.
Buy this now!
Best-Of-Alben
haftet mitunter ein Leichengeruch an, der nur zu überdeutlich signalisiert,
dass die Band im hier und jetzt nicht mehr wirklich etwas zu sagen hat.
Dass es dennoch rühmliche Ausnahmen gibt, beweisen Clan Of Xymox mit dem
vorliegenden, liebevoll kompilierten Best-Of-Album, das Zäsur und Ausblick
zugleich ist.
Die Geschichte dieser niederländischen Band ist ebenso bewegt wie wechselhaft,
schwankend zwischen ihren „Gothic“-Wurzeln und dem Bemühen, sich
temporären Trends zu ergeben.
Clan Of Xymox-Kopf Ronny Moorings hat sich bei der vorliegenden Compilation
entschlossen, die Werke, die er unter dem verkürzten Namen „Xymox“
veröffentlichte (also Alben wie das zweifellos überzeugende „Twist
Of Shadows“ und die weniger berauschenden Oeuvres „Phoenix“ oder
auch „Metamorphosis“) komplett zu ignorieren und sich dafür auf
die Werke zu konzentrieren, die Clan Of Xymox über die Jahre zu einer historischen
Größe erwachsen ließen.
Ein schlauer Plan.
Die Grundidee war, jeweils 2 Songs von jedem Clan Of Xymox-Album zu wählen,
dabei den Fans ein gewisses Mitspracherecht zu gewähren -sowie die historischen
4AD- Aufnahmen entweder zu remixen oder komplett neu einzuspielen.
Heraus gekommen ist in der Tat eine Zusammenstellung, die (kaum) einen Wunsch
offen lässt:
Die zeitliche Distanz zwischen der ersten und zweiten Clan Of Xymox-Phase lässt
sich auf dieser perfekt kompilierten CD für den Laien lediglich erahnen
– nicht zuletzt deshalb, weil Moorings trotz Fan-Voting darauf bedacht
war, den roten Faden der Historie deutlich zu machen:
Clan Of Xymox sind auch im neuen Jahrtausend eine sensible Gothic-Formation,
die Historie und temporäre Vibes zu einer Einheit verschmelzen lassen können.
Gelang ihnen dies auf ihren letzten Alben „Creatures“, „Notes
From The Underground“ oder „Farewell“ nicht durchgehend, so warfen
diese Alben zumindest zwei überzeugende Songs ab ( beste Beispiele: „Out
Of The Rain“, This World“) die im Rahmen dieser Compilation gegen
die wirklichen Klassiker in jeder Beziehung bestehen können.
Die Klassiker der ersten Phase selbst wurden allesamt bearbeitet, entweder neu
eingespielt oder remixed: „A Day“, „Louise“, „Stranger“,
„Backdoor“ und das extrem seltene „Muscoviet Musquito“ (im
Original nur auf dem 4 AD-Sampler „Lonely Is An Eyesore“ veröffentlicht)
sind allesamt stringenter und punktierter als die Originale, ohne auch nur ein
Quäntchen der ursprünglichen Atmosphäre und Intensität vermissen
zu lassen.
Clan Of Xymox haben diese Klassiker in den letzten Jahren immer wieder und wieder
live mit dem neuen Material präsentiert und sich somit ein untrügliches
Gespür für das Gesamtensemble erspielt, das auf dieser Compilation
noch homogener transferiert wird, als auf ihrem 2000er „Live“-Album.
Allen Fans und Novizen sei dieses Album wärmstens ans Herz gelegt.
Nahezu unverzichtbar.
(Okay, „Michelle“ ist nicht dabei. Aber das ist wirklich der einzige
Makel…)
2004 Rezension von Ecki Stieg
Although their remix album was quite pleasant, this 14-track “best of” album beats it without too much effort! 14 essential songs sum up in beauty the Dutch band’s prolific career from their 4AD debuts (“A Day”, “Stranger”, Louise” or yet “Muscoviet Mosquito”, all having by the way been re-recorded for full impact on your senses!) until their most recent hits including the unavoidable “Jasmine and Rose”, “There’s No Tomorrow” or yet “Out Of The Rain”. We’ll also notice new versions of “I Want You Now” and “Into Extremes”. CLAN OF XYMOX excel in dynamic darkwave music and we wish them to continue bringing us as many great moments as they have done so far for at least the next 20 years… (TSF:9) TSF.
Since
forming in Amsterdam in 1984 (prophetic ain’t it?), Clan of Xymox have
dominated the electro and gothic industrial scenes. Helping to define 4AD along
with Dead Can Dance and Cocteau Twins, Clan of Xymox have enjoyed a rich history
and look forward to a wonderful future. For those unfamiliar with them, this
is the perfect introduction—indeed a greatest “best of” hits
album plucked from their past by vocalist/guitarist Ronny Moorings. But for
those diehard fans that have enjoyed the lush orchestrations and their depth
of programming this is not just a bunch of older tracks already available. In
addition are several new remixes and recordings including “Muscoviet Musquito”,
“Stranger”, and “A Day”. Also there are the new tunes called
“I Want You Now” and “Into Extremes” both of which were
just recorded this year. Perfect.
- J-Sin
FAREWELL
Presenting another chapter in great music from Ronny Moorings and company. This
latest work continues on the legacy of a great combination in styles of Gothic
and Synthpop music. The two years since the last release have been well spent
putting together another set of great tracks in the form of this latest angst-ridden
album.
The first and title track speaks volumes to the entire mood, emotion, message
and style of this stellar work. As the words "Farewell affectionate brothers,
you won't see me again" resonate through the moody, yet driving music,
the stage is set for a masterpiece. The first trio of songs (and others) are
driving, hailing back to the earlier years of more synthpop-oriented music,
yet combining the trademark guitars and musical styles we've grown to love.
The angst is there as usual with titles like "Cold Damp Day" and "There's
No Tomorrow", there's no doubt that this is pure Clan of Xymox sound. These
three club-friendly tracks that build up the intro to this album are also probably
my preferred tracks for their overall solid sound and quality. The experience
of this group really shines through in these works.
After this driving intro the mood is broken down into a slow and oppressive
style with the aptly named "Dark Mood". This drifts away through ambient
soundscapes that are captivating and mesmerizing as they hold the listener entranced
for the next moving track "One More Time". The beautiful mid-tempo
sound comes out in this ballad that ebbs through stylish guitars and synth strings.
Building up slightly more "It's Not Enough" picks up the pace and
leaves us with the modern synthpop sound of "Courageous", one of the
more electronic oriented tracks on this album.
The remainder of the album serves as a real tribute to great music and song
writing. "Into Extremes" is even more intense than the previous tracks,
but builds up the climax that drifts off for the excellent ballad "Losing
My Head". This beautiful slow piece is a timeless icon to the lasting dynamic
style from this excellent group. And finally, we're left with "Skindeep",
the final masterpiece on this album. This track is presented as another slow
track that pulses through the senses with the permeating synth loops and slow
rhythms that are accented at times with distortion or mellow vocals that all
gradually drift off into nothing.
Overall an excellent work bringing all of the previous styles that Clan of Xymox
has presented us with and melting them together into the excellent Electro Goth
mix. With bombastic approaches at times to accent the angst-filled vocals or
club-friendly music, the dynamics are perfectly presented to leave the listener
with never a boring moment. As one of my favorite releases this year to date,
I highly recommend it to old and new fans alike.
Rating: 4.5/5
After writing for a solid two years, Clan of Xymox presents one of their best
albums to date. Obviously the overall theme of the album is leaving things behind
most especially in matters of love and relationships. The niche of electro and
gothic is one that most bands can’t easily skirt and sound genuine but
Clan of Xymox accomplishes this effortlessly. “Farewell” is both atmospheric
and moody but also lends an ear to the more club-friendly beats of some masters
of darkwave. Eventually America will catch up to Europe and more of our clubs
will be pumping out this type of music. So be the first on your block to be
able to scream poseur at all the kids who went from Blink 182 and nu-metal to
Clan of Xymox and other Metropolis Records artists.
- J-Sin
*
Clan
Of Xymox veröffentlichen mit "Farewell" ihr neues Album auf Pandaimonium
Records. Die zehn Titel der CD wurden im Frühjahr 2003 aufgenommen und
zeigen die niederländische Band in elektronischer Höchstform.
"Farewell" ist pure Innovation, musikalische Spannung und das Ergebnis
ständig gegenwärtiger Frische auch nach fast 20 Jahren Bandgeschichte.
Die einzelnen Titel des Albums sind voller Energie, fesseln den Hörer binnen
kürzester Zeit und haben sie diesen erst einmal an die Hand genommen, dann
lassen sie ihn auch nicht wieder los. Dieneuen musikalischen Clan Of Xymox Welten
sind sehr nachdrücklich, häufig tanzbar und werden durch zielstrebige
Basslines bestimmt.Stücke wie "Cold Damp Day" oder auch "There´s
No Tomorrow" strotzen nur so vor Energie und zeigen doch stets – obwohl
der Grundgedanke der Band bei der Thematik dieses Albums das Abschiednehmen
war – die Hoffnung der Zukunft und das in diese Richtung strebende positive
Denken der Gegenwart auf.
Mit "Farewell" haben Clan Of Xymox ein wirklich großartiges
Album produziert, das einmal mehr einen neuen Meilenstein in der Bandgeschichte
setzen wird.
© re-flexion.de 2003 / Ingo Möller
*
Clan
of Xymox's "Farewell" is what I'd call a very nice surprise: the band,
which seemed to be very persuading in their last artwork "Notes fromthe
underground", is now back with a more electronic and involving sound style.
Let alone the mere gothic rock style they've used in thelatest two albums, the
Clan of Xymox has learnt the lesson by who has collaborated with them in the
realization of the brilliant "Remixes fromthe underground" and they
have found a very personal and incisive style where Ronny's voice let us enjoy
some old emotions, in a perfectmatch with the melancholy and brilliance of the
tunes. The album is an expert mix of darkwave, electro and gothic sounds: alchemy
alreadyexperienced by others but rarely in a cool way like this! This versatility
is the best feature of the "Farewell" LP, because the album isn'ttrapped
in a single style but it catches all the scene's nuances in tracks like "One
more time" (sort of Mission style) and "Cold damp day"(very electro)
or the excellent "Courageous" (in a very Pulcher Femina mood!). Other
tracks I must highlight: "Farewell", which gave the nameto the album,
has a very catchy sound and you find yourself singing it since the first listening;
"Dark mood", a gloom, solemn, cadenced dirge,"There's no tomorrow"
an amazing hit, which could shake the Italian dance floors, if only the Italian
flabby audience will realize that Clan ofXymox aren't just "A day"
and that their present and their future are really worthwhile! "Skindeep"
ends the CD between suggestions and softnightmares in the worthiest way for
an album, which has really nicely surprised me.
» Buy absolutely this CD!
*********************
The
question that's most often asked about the title of this latest album is if
it refers to the end of The Clan. Mainman Ronny Moorings has been quick to point
out that it's more to do with the end of certain chapters in one's life, a relationship
that has run it's course, for instance. This will undoubtedly be a massive relief
to their huge & loyal fanbase & for those of us who have just discovered
exactly what they're capable of as they weigh in with a superb & varied
release that will appeal to electro fans as well as goth/darkwavers.
Following on from the superb "There's No Tomorrow" single (which is,
needless to say, included here!) this is a varied offering that, while retaining
a dark, sombre mood throughout, thanks in part to his sombre vocal style while
encompassing a great many musical bases in a sumptuous & thrilling fashion.
The electro influences are frequent & unmistakeable, starting with the forthright
synth stabs & rhythms that grace the opening duo of "Farewell"
& "Cold Damp Day", touches that any electro band would be pleased
to call their own although the final touches are added by the gritty guitar
work. Moorings' many years of experience is evident here as the fusion is totally
perfect & by the time "It's Not Enough" comes around you're almost
into EBM territory with accompanying harsher vocals. As always, Moorings adds
his own touches to make the music very much his own & it's this that makes
the album so instantly memorable from start to finish. This also means that
when the band do touch on more traditional goth/darkwave territories, as on
"One More Time" which utilises violin, guitar & accoustic drums
or the brooding "Dark Mood" where a superb sonic tapestry is built
up through massed layers of strings & tympanic flourishes, then the effect
is actually to make the album a great deal more 'rounded. Add to this the operatic
voices that crop up on "Losing My Head", again accompanied by some
wonderful strings or the 80s new-wave bass & guitar combo of "Into
Extremes" then the results can be nothing but a great success, although
the latter track does remind me of The Sisters Of Mercy & on "Courageous",
another fine track, the chorus vocals sound not unlike Phil Oakey!! Still, with
music this good, who's complaining? This is a total triumph from start to finish.
Carl Jenkinson
*
Written
by: Brain, 25/10/2003
The Dutch band Clan Of Xymox is a legend within the Goth/Darkwave genre that
started in the beginning of the 80s on the British label
4AD. They've since then released a score of remarkable albums such as “Medusa”,
“Twist Of Shadows” and their comeback album
“Hidden Faces” which was released after they took a break for a prolonged
period during the 90s. Their biggest success after the
comeback was 99's “Creatures” and in 2001 we got the album “Notes
From The Underground”. Clan Of Xymox have changed labels a
number of times, but it looks like they've found a place to call home with the
German record label Pandaimonium Records. The only
original member is the founding lead singer Ronny Moorings with the characteristic
vocals that have always made Clan Of Xymox
stand out.
Farewell features 10 tracks, including the songs “There Is No Tomorrow”
and “Courageous” from the MCD released last year.The new
album offers us the classic Clan Of Xymox sound loaded with synthlines somewhat
in the same vein of Creatures and much more
interesting than their previous album, Notes From The Underground - which was
a bit boring in my opinion.
The album opens with the title track, "Farewell". It's a great song,
just as "Cold Damp Day" and "There Is No Tomorrow" are;
all
danceable songs with great club potential. And even the slow songs like "One
More Time" and "Losing My Head" are great with full of
brilliant musical instrumentation. We're also treated with one classic Goth
Rock track called "Into Extremes". The best thing about this
album is really the wide variation from which Clan Of Xymox shows that they've
even also mastered the ability to please the
Industrial/EBM audience with songs like "It Is Not Enough" and "Courageous",
the former actually sounding a bit like Assemblage 23
and VNV Nations, the latter also being very Industrial'ish in its own way.
Overall, the songs on Farewell are all powerful, varied and very well written.
It's a great album that succesfully manages to cover a lot
of ground, genre-wise, and leaves you wanting more.
*
Mit
"Farewell" haben Clan of Xymox wieder mal eine Meisterleistung vollbracht.
Die Scheibe ist fast durchgehend sehr synthielastig und energiegeladen, mit
melancholisch-düsteren Melodien, und wirklich eine der besten CD´s,
die ich seit langem gehört habe. Gleich das erste Lied, "Farewell",
verleitet zum Mitschaukeln. Der Song ist sehr rhythmisch und tanzbar und mit
eingängigen Synthiemelodien unterlegt. Beim zweiten Lied, "Cold Damp
Day", hämmern dann auch gleich die Rhythmen weiter. Tanzflächenfüller!
"There´s No Tomorrow" beginnt dagegen ruhig und leise mit Hintergrundstimmen,
um aber dann auch gleich wieder in Synthiebeats überzugehen. Auch dieser
Song ist sehr melodisch und tanzbar. "Dark Mood" ist ein ruhiges,
düsteres und sehr athmosphärisches Lied, trotz der synthieerzeugten
Drums im Hintergrund, die dem Ganzen jedoch das gewisse Etwas verleihen. Das
fünfte Stück, "One More Time", ist dann ganz anders als
die vorherigen Songs. Es tendiert mehr in Richtung Wave, beinhaltet keine Beats
und ist mehr etwas zum träumen. "Into Extremes" ist ein Original,
wie man es von Clan Of Xymox kennt: Eher Gothic-Rock, rhythmisch und sehr melodisch.
Lied Nummer 7, "Courageous", ist dann wieder synthielaster und im
EBM-Stil. Ein weiterer absoluter Tanzflächenfüller ist "It's
Not Enough", das mit einem gewissen Touch
von Industrial daherkommt. Der neunte Song, "Losing My Head", ist
ein langsames Stück, das wieder
mehr in Richtung Wave tendiert. Die Synthies treten in den Hintergrund und untermalen
nur den
Refrain. Das letzte Lied, "Skindeep", ist sehr ruhig und melodisch
und trotz der Synthieuntermalung,
durch die der Song teilweise sehr sphärisch wirkt, fast schon eine Ballade.
Ein sehr gelungener Abschluß. Alles in allem kann man nur sagen: Leute,
hört rein! Das sind wieder "Clan Of Xymox", wie man sie kennt
und liebt!
*
CLAN OF XYMOX delivers the velvet-chocolate vocal tones of Ronny Moorings (vocals, guitar) whose vocals remind me strongly of Johan Edlund (Tiamat and LucyFire), and also of Mojca (Bass & vocals). Musical production and execution on FAREWELL reminds me at times of S.O.M., Project Pitchfork, and The Mission UK. Energy throughout this album shifts from the shallows of reflective grief ("Dark Cloud" and "One More Time") to an apex of EBM momentum in "Courageous". Time and the dark halls of regret are conveyed within the ultra-fantastic cd sleeve artwork provided by Mojca. If anyone has a chance of bringing Dark Gothic Electro into mainstream acceptance, it must be CLAN OF XYMOX! The more electrifying tracks herein carry forth dance-pop sensibilities with dark brooding gothic lyrical concepts, e.g. "the one you love is the one you hurt the most/In My Heart I feel Like a Ghost". Everything we see upon the dance floor, the confidence of the swirly goths, the passion of the dance, the permanence of the beat... FAREWELL delivers all of these elements which must find renewed vigor soon on dance floors worldwide. This could very well be the next best-selling album for CLAN OF XYMOX! Metropolis (releasing this USA version) may have slipped with the track listing order, but they definitely picked a winner with CLAN OF XYMOX! Pandaimonium Records (Europe) is issuing a slightly different version of FAREWELL - click here. The European track listing for FAREWELL appears in the correct song order as compared with the USA version (which confuses tracks 6, 7 and 8). Pandaimonium Records reports that a limited edition Digi-Pak of the FAREWELL album (which also included a CLAN OF XYMOX sticker) has already sold out, though the standard jewel case (european) version remains available for collection.
as reviewed by Jett Black - NocturnalMovements.net
*
After
restoring their original name (from the shortened ‘Xymox’) in the
lateNineties, Clan of Xymox has found their following grow and have delivered
masterful compositions to an adoring fanbase. They took their sweet time
preparing and refining Farewell, the follow up to 2001’s Notes From the
Underground. What surprised me, having only heard bits and pieces of their output
over the
years, is how clubby this album is. The pounding gallop of the title track (and
several others, like “Courageous”) is relentless, and the croon of
Ronny Moorings brings an anthemic quality to the music of Farewell. A departure
from
the club formula, the slow burn of “Losing My Head” might well be
my favorite.
Also of merit is the complex final song, “Skindeep”—it really
ends the album
on a high note. Yet another chapter in the legend of the Clan of Xymox, Farewell
is hopefully not the end of the story, as final as its name might suggest. A
fine record. After writing for a solid two years, Clan of Xymox presents one
of their best albums to date. Obviously the overall theme of the album is leaving
things behind most especially in matters of love and
relationships. The niche of electro and gothic is one that most bands can’t
easily skirt and sound genuine
but Clan of Xymox accomplishes this effortlessly. “Farewell” is both
atmospheric and moody but also
lends an ear to the more club-friendly beats of some masters of darkwave. Eventually
America will catch
up to Europe and more of our clubs will be pumping out this type of music. So
be the first on your block
to be able to scream poseur at all the kids who went from Blink 182 and nu-metal
to Clan of Xymox and
other Metropolis Records artists.
- J-Sin
*
http://www.angelfire.com/ny2/graveconcerns/coxfarewell.html
After the much talked about, “Notes from the Underground”, Clan of
Xymox is back with their next CD release “Farewell”. “Notes from
the Underground” was really good and definitely a hit, but “Farewell”
is so much better! The band is a true leader of dark- electro goth, and they
know how to make it work. The sound of the CD keeps their traditional Clan of
Xymox sound, but I found this CD had many more upbeat club friendly tracks.
What was also good about the mix on the CD was they had five really danceable
tracks, and within the danceable tracks the band had more dark gothic songs
with less dance beats, that were really enjoyable tracks. I really liked the
balance of the CD. It was not an over kill with super danceable tracks. It demonstrated
good gothic rock. If you are into the more danceable tracks, I would suggest,
“Farewell,” Cold Damp Day,” “There’s No Tomorrow,”
“Courageous,” and “Into Extremes,” which seemed to have
a harder edge with some industrial sounds. The song, “One More Time,”
and “It’s Not
Enough,” had a more rock feel, and not that they did not have programming,
but it was a nice break from the really dance tracks. It took on a more rockish
Cure type feel, but in the traditional style of Clan of Xymox. The last two
tracks, also had more of rock feel, but “Skindeep had more of a moody atmospheric
sound, and brought in more upbeat sounds, as “Losing My Head,” did
not. “Farewell,” a definitely my favorite release by the band. It
has club-hits, and had dark themes running though the CD. Where, I felt on some
past albums, the less danceable songs have lacked, not a whole lot, but the
songs that are not highly danceable are just as powerful, and have great melodies.
Ronnie definitely has one of the best male gothic vocals. It is with those vocals,
makes the lyrics really felt by the listener. “Farewell,” is beautifully
balanced, and keeps the darkness within. I am really happen with this release,
and this is a CD that I will want to listen to a lot.
*
Ganz
wie gewohnt und doch ganz neu Es gibt wohl nur wenige Bands, die in den letzten
Jahren sowohl
auf europäischen Bühnen als auch in den Plattenläden so präsent
gewesen sind wie die in den Niederlanden residierende
Formation Clan Of Xymox. Kaum wurde vor zwei Jahren das letzte Album "Notes
From The Underground" veröffentlicht, tourten Frontmann Ronny Moorings
& Co. ausgiebig und brachten das Remix-Doppel-Album "Remixes From The
Underground" an den Start. Zwischendurch findet Ronny dann auch noch die
Zeit, um sein Label Stichting Xymox Control zu unterhalten, das seine
Veröffentlichungen für den europäischen Markt in Lizenz an Pandaimonium
abtritt, die halbjährlich in Amsterdam stattfindenden Gotham-Festivals
zu organisieren und einen Spanisch-Kurs zu besuchen. Da mag man sich schon fragen,
wo
da noch Zeit übrig blieb, um das neue Album "Farewell" einzuspielen.
"Für mich sind zwei Jahre ein idealer Zeitraum, um neue Songs zu
schreiben. In dieser Zeit gab es je zweimal einen Winter und Sommer, Herbst
und Frühling. Diese Perioden üben einen
großen Einfluss auf meinen Gemütszustand aus und sind deshalb wichtig,
um Musik machen zu können", erklärt Ronny gleich
seinen Arbeitsrhythmus mit. "Es ist ein Kreislauf, von dem alle Menschen
betroffen sind, ihre Stimmungen verändern sich. Denk
nur mal daran, was in den letzten zwei Jahren in deinem Leben alles passiert
ist! Sicherlich eine Vielzahl von kleinen und großen
Dingen, die deine Aufmerksamkeit fesselten. Dies sind die Dinge, in die du eintauchen,
in denen du nach versteckten Schätzen
suchen und diese Ereignisse, Gefühle, Gedanken unsterblich machen kannst,
indem du sie in Worte formst und aufnimmst.
Ich schreibe Musik nur dann, wenn ich das Bedürfnis dazu Mitteln nicht
auszudrücken vermag als durch Musik. Der Herbst
und Winter sind für mich die besten Jahreszeiten, weil es die Stimmungen
beherbergt, die ich am meisten schätze. Auch das Wetter erleichtert es
einem, sich in die Obhut der `TortureChamber´ zu begeben, wie ich mein
Studio nenne."
Dirk Hoffmann
*
Alle Achtung, so ein Album hätten wir "Clan of Xymox nicht zugetraut.
Mit"Farewell" ist Ihnen aller
gegenteiligen Erwartungen ein Hammer Album gelungen. Auf "Farewell"
vereinigen Sie Ihren Gothic Sound mit viel wuchtiger elektronik und weisen den
Hörer in die Schranken des neuen Clan of Xymox Sounds, ohne aber Ihren
musikalischen Ursprung zu
verleugnen.Tracks wie z.B "Cold Damp Day" sprühen nur so vor
Energie und beanspruchen einen festen Platz in der Hitliste des neuen Albums."Farewell"
ist einer der wenigen Alben Neuveröffentlichungen der letzten Zeit bei
dem getrost sagen kann, dass es sehr innovativ und musikalisch gelungen ist.
http://www.darkbeat.net
*
After
listening to a few new songs at their live show in May I found on Farewell affirmed
what I was suggesting: CLAN OF XYMOX abandoned themselves almost completely
from the Gothic/ Wave sound and bring now their music into the legs of their
fans. And that with nice Electro/ EBM tunes. The predecessor Notes From The
Underground already was much harsher than their
acclaimed masterpiece Creatures. And the single There’s No Tomorrow released
in 2002
already blazed the trail they are following now. But that’s no reason for
the romantics to coffin themselves six feet under totally horrified. COX are
still able to build up this unrivaled dark atmosphere and especially Ronny’s
vocals give a deeply
melancholic touch to the songs, despite of their danceable rhythms. But beyond
they use everything possible of keys and effects to create fast beats. Guitars
move pretty much to the background and set just sporadic accents. As always
it’s pretty hard to point out
any special song as COX ranges all the time on a high level. The mentioned There’s
No Tomorrow is already running every dancefloor. While the first half of Farewell
goes into EBM fields (Farewell, Cold Damp Day and There’s No Tomorrow),
songs like Courageous or It's Not Enough play with Future Pop elements but luckily
without getting them out of hands. In between you have a break to
quieter and familiar Gothic/ Wave fields with Dark Mood and One More Time, although
electronic nuances stay all the time present. At the end Farewell dies away
with two quiet tracks Loosing My Head and Skindeep. Overall the quieter songs
remind me every now and then to old Love Like Blood. With Farewell CLAN OF XYMOX
prove once again their ability and proficiency to change and to
develop themselves, to try something new, to fathom boundaries and to abide
themselves though. Maybe they tried to pick up the thread from the early nineties
when they started the first trip into more electronic fields, which failed badly.
Either COX started this new sashey much smarter and more sophisticated or the
musical taste has changed in favor to the band... I don’t know, but it
works out very well.
Farewell
is once again a fantastic album and should not only sell much better but also
extend the band’s fan base.
http://www.nocturnalhall.com
*
http://www.technopunkmusic.com
Tool once sang, “Mom’s gonna fix it all soon/Mom’s comin’
round to put it back the way it oughta be.” Obviously, they were hoping
for the easiest solution to a world full of strife but then maybe things wouldn’t
be so interesting if the oracle-esque knowledge “Mom” was there for
the solutions. I rather enjoy the pain sometimes and I suspect everyone has
their dark side where strife and oppression is remarkably intriguing to them.
For as horrible the injustice of pain may be, it’s also the springboard
for the best things in this life, for truly where would humans be if it were
only happiness that they knew?
Those elusive life answers that haunt and compel us are exactly the strengths
that have kept Clan of Xymox relevant for so long. They
understand the importance of embracing life’s miserable moments, empowering
their flaws through rich song and I suspect it has a bit more to do than the
Clan being a Goth band. Above and beyond many, Xymox are still vital after nearly
20 years because they’re able to translate personal melancholic setbacks
into gorgeous, triumphant, heartbreaking displays of dark dance art.
Sure, their new album is called Farewell but there’s nothing fleeting from
these musicians where talent or their trademark
characteristics are concerned. Nearly every track drips with an effective atmosphere,
some of it vintage Goth and some of it less-easily defined delicious creative.
The opening self-titled victory drips with dark encouragement, driving bitter
dance beats and ultra-moody vocals to a vintage Goth boil. “It's Not Enough
” is the new Goth and industrial foresighted trend where invigorating trance
accentuates the band’s moody disposition, very much helping to prove that
trance is better in this genre’s hands than in a million “rave”
crates put together. “Courageous” is a vintage showcase of all that
is wonderful about Xymox’ career and the longevity of the genre as a whole,
though through it all “Cold Damp Day” is the emotionally grasping
moment that triumphs inside this exceedingly well-made album. It’s also
that exquisitely sad moment that, in its own way, celebrates the drearier damp
sides of a life that gives reason to such wonderful
suffering.
by Bill Mahoney
*
Kontroverse
Künstler sind mir seit jeher die liebsten, dieser reihen sich CLAN OF XYMOX
deutlicher denn je unter diese ein, das allerdings eher unfreiwillig durch eine
teilweise vollzogene Neubesinnung ihres musikalischen Erscheinungsbildes. „Farewell“
eröffnet mit dem gleichnamigen Stück,geradlinig aufgebaut, mit einem
durchgehenden, tanzbaren Rhythmus versehen und auf einen eingängigen Refrain
zusteuernd, insgesamt elektronischer tendierend als bislang. Eine Linie, die
in den nächsten beiden Stücken konsequente Fortsetzung findet, während
sich gleichzeitig die ersten drei Höhepunkte des Albums bereits herauskristallisieren.
Am ungewohnt modernen Klangbild kann mancher Hörer sich sicherlich stoßen,
dieses automatisch mit Substanzverwässerung künstlerischer Inkonsequenz
gleichzusetzen, greift schlicht zu kurz. Für sehr viel inkonsequenter hielte
ich das krampfhafte Eliminieren neuer externer Einflüsse, die aufdem vorliegenden
Werk mit einer Raffinesse in den urtypischen Kosmos der Band verwoben wurden,
wie ich das nur selten erlebt habe. Die klassischen Wave-Gitarren nämlich
fordern spätestens mit „One More Time“ einmal mehr ihr Recht
und bescheren quasi nebenbei mit „Losing My Head“ noch eines der schönsten
XYMOX-Lieder überhaupt, traditionelle stehen gleichberechtigt neben neuen
Elementen, und wer ehrlich ist, wird nicht abstreiten können, dass sich
selbst zu einem Stück wie „Skindeep“ semidirekte Vorfahren etwa
auf „Notes From The Underground“ finden. Den allerletzten Lufthauch
aus den Segeln der Kritik nimmt mit Blick auf die inhaltliche Seite die allgegenwärtige,
für Ronny Moorings so typische Melancholie, die diese Platte in noch stärkerem
Maße verströmt als ihre Vorgänger, bedingt unter anderem durch
die einmal mehr wundervoll die Atmosphäre mittragenden Texte, die diesmal
noch tiefer zu gehen scheinen, noch mehr an die Wurzeln rühren, dunkler
denn je, dabei von unverbrauchter Frische.
Man hat anderes erwarten können, „Farewell“ indes macht deutlich,
dass man mehr nicht verlangen kann. Vielleicht das beste XYMOX-Album.
http://www.gothicparadise.de
*
It’s
been two years since the last album outing from the Clan, so this album comes
as a welcome relief for followers of all things Xymox.
The thing I have to say about this album, and in essence about Clan of Xymox
themselves, the sound while staying true to the Darkwave ethos, has evolved.
It’s new, and yet instantly familiar.
Those who know me will know I’ve not been a great fan of early Xymox material,
but this album is very good. Modern sounds and instruments mix well with the
vocals, creating a typically contemporary Darkwave sound, with lyrics that are
easy to identify with.
The sound recording is excellent, with vocals and music balanced superbly. This
is a pleasure to listen to!
The album starts off typically moody, but by the time we hit track three, “There’s
no tomorrow”, the pace picks up – expect to hear this on a dance floor
near you soon – it’s incredible! Electronic beats and loops aplenty,
coupled with electronic guitars. Nice!
The fourth track, “Dark mood”, takes us back to more traditional Darkwave
territory, with classical strings, and a dark and sombre mood to boot.
The rest of the album maintains this balance – modern sounding with distinctly
Darkwave/Goth elements. There are enough traditional sounding tracks to keep
the die-hards happy, while those who prefer their Darkwave to have a danceable
element to will find solace here too. This is a fine line well walked, and deserves
our praise. I cannot find a duff track on this album – it’s easy to
get into, easy to listen to, and difficult to turn off. Buy it and love it.
Here’s raising a glass to the Clan. Welcome back!
Keith Elcombe 4/4
*
To
my knowledge, this band has yet to do a bad CD, and are one of my all time fave
goth artists. It’s like they keep the line between gothic rock and dark
new wave melody alive, as well as bring it into the 21st century with almost
no effort at all. This group brings me back to those days when it was often
me and some old school goth tunes, such as Bauhaus and Joy Division, back to
those
days when goth strangely enough had a pure energy, not the stereotype it is
these days. And they were one the first to dare put goth elements into electronic
music, making masterpieces like “Medusa”, which sounded like what
Joy Division would sound like after tutoring under post “Exile” Gary
Numan, and “Twist Of Shadows”, possibly the most enjoyable and clever
dark-wave CDs to come out of the 80's. Always they manage to bring some type
of new element to gothic music in ways that almost no others can, and where
many of the others who have COX’s amount of fame (such as The Cure or The
Damned) have failed. On this release, Ronny and his gang of merry men and women
bring a combination of what could be “Notes From The Underground”
meets Souxie And
The Banshees’ “Superstition”, making what could best be described
as 80's darkwave for the 21st century, complete with that Clan Of Xymox ambience
we’ve come to know so well and love. And as mentioned before, it’s
got that old school gothic boogy and melody which is outright addictive, something
you could get only from seasoned pros like COX. Dancey goth-pop patterns and
danceable drum beats are met with chainsaw guitar riffs, making for a very addictive
mix, all topped with Ronny’s charming and emotive baritone vocals. The
patterns are always tricky, and always shifting around, but it does give you
that feeling like you’re back in a nightclub in the post-Joy Division era,
something that I rarely experience in this day of cookie cutter glam-goth bands
and
rehashed Bauhaus clones. My two favorites from this CD have to be “Into
Extremes ”, with it’s bouncey goth-pop guitar work and sharp melody,
and “There’s No Tomorrow”, which is the old Clan Of Xymox feel
with a 22nd century dance line attached to it, making it the perfect cross between
gothic sensibilities and dance floor ethic of today. Another masterpiece from
one of the
most influencial European bands out there, and one of the few in goth who are
always looking forward. Also of high note are “Creatures” and “Notes
From The Underground”, but anything of COX will not steer you wrong.
Rating: 10.
Review by: KlingKlangBedlam
http://www.chaindlk.org
*
Zwei
Jahre sind vergangen seit den Notes From The Underground und es
scheint, als habe Ronnie Moorings jeden einzelnen Tag dieser Zeitspanne
dazu verwendet an neuen Songs zu arbeiten, denn Farewell ist einfach ein
geniales Stück musikgewordener Melancholie. Während die Grundzüge
des
xymoxschen Stils - ein Gemisch aus elektronischen Elementen und
Gitarrensounds - nach wie vor gleichgeblieben sind, so klingt die
Scheibe dennoch frischer und moderner als vorherige Alben - und damit
ist nicht kommerzieller, einfacher und massenorientierter gemeint! Ganz
im Gegenteil vermengen sich hier treibende Beats und jagende Synths mit
den finsterstes Seelenlagen des Menschen zu einem abgründig-düsteren
Gemisch. Auch der Wave ersteht in einem schattigen Gewand erneut auf,
wie bei One More Time oder Into Extremes. Im Gegensatz dazu sind It's
Not Enough und There's No Tomorrow - das bereits vor einiger Zeit als
Single ausgekoppelt wurde - wahre Tanzflächenkracher, dennoch mit Seele
und weit ab irgendwelcher Dünnbrett-Synthie-Dance-Formationen. Jedem
treibenden elektronischen Klang wird ein Vielfaches an tiefgehender
Emotionalität entgegengesetzt, ein Gegengewicht aus Düsternis,
Verzweiflung, Kummer, Schmerz und Sehnsucht. Losing My Head ist dabei
ein absoluter Höhepunkt des Albums und zugleich ein Sinnbild für einen
menschlichen, seelischen Tiefpunkt - Liebeskummer in klanglicher Form.
Clan Of Xymox machen mit Farewell deutlich, wo sie hinwollen: Sie sagen
der immer breit grinsenden, oberflächlichen und kalten
Konsumgesellschaft Lebewohl!
(10)
Peter Sailer
REMIXES FROM THE UNDERGROUND
Clan of Xymox Remixes From The Underground Reviewed by Mike Ventarola The anticipation for Notes From The Underground was rather painstaking for all hardcore Clan of Xymox fans who were simply itching for new work from this band. Upon its release, many let out a collective sigh of relief as our copies entered our homes and were promptly given non-stop rotation from our stereos. Just as the smoke cleared and we started to become comfortable with this bevy of new music, word of an official "remix" of this CD was rumored and surfaced across the internet wires. Fans from across the globe scrambled to find truth in this possibility, rousing them from their COX fix with Notes From The Underground.
Those who have followed the career of this band, also know that Ronny Moorings is not too partial to remixes, and rightly so. After all, when one spends an inordinate amount of time of putting one's emotions, heart and soul to the sound and structure of music, it can be rather daunting to hear it improperly handled, thereby negating the hard effort that went into its creation in the first place. We have subsequently learned that the remix project was not a rumor, and the wait was well worth it.
This particular 3 CD set is packaged as a gatefold digipack and numbered in a series of 2500. The first 2 discs contain remixes, while the last CD provides fans with a current interview of Ronny and Mojca from Dump TV. In between the interview are snippets from video's and concerts, making this a great testament to the band's global popularity. Rene van Nuland is responsible for the entirety of disc 3 and it was a stellar achievement to bring to life not only the interview, but also some of the Clan of Xymox memories. Be warned however, because this interview will make you thirst for a full DVD of COX videos and footage. Mojca designed the digipack sleeve to give it a technological, quasi-Aztec and cauldron flair.
To review this project is rather daunting because there is simply so much that needs to be covered and only a limited amount of space to do so. In essence, for those who feel that COX may have become "too techno," be assured that this is a REMIX project, and not a TECHNO project. This is mentioned simply because some goth purists felt that hearing this masterpiece would "break their heart." Truthfully, this will expand on your love for the band and in no way detract from it. Besides, Clan of Xymox have NEVER put out a less than commendable release in their entire career. Certainly there are some tracks that have been boosted in the BPM department, thereby assuring them club floor classic status. However, many of the tracks have gentle percussion and tweakings from the original that are just as at home in your living room or bedroom during your introspective hours. COX still marries the electronic age with Goth sensibility. Hell, they practically invented that style and one simply can't take that away from them, nor should they be so stridently boxed into any one particular corner. Moorings' muse doesn't have a genre limitation, nor should we. Instead, we must continue to be grateful that Moorings et al can continue to create such passionate music that resonates with people from all ages and backgrounds through the decades of time.
Anguish kicks off the first disc with a mix by Iris that is simply flawless. Since there is so much "disco goth" floating about, this track was crafted to stay within the parameters of the tastes of club patrons. The great thing about this track was the fact that the lyrics and vocals were kept up front, reverberated in just the right places for emphasis.
Something's Wrong was tweaked by Angels & Agony that provides a bit of a nod toward the electronically darkwave/morose ambience coupled with vocoder effects. Mooring's voice is brought to the front while the percussive house beats accentuate the riveting electronic background. Cut Rate Box brings the song Number 1 to a level of dark industrial electronics. The morose atmosphere is kept intact. The track is quite a hybrid between industrial and techno-goth. Fear not all you purists out there.
"Innocent" is delivered by Assemblage 23 with a funereal moroseness that also allows for layers of percussive beats. It is certainly goth-club friendly, but some of the gloom will most likely not make it to the mainstream clubs. There is plenty of "oontz" per second on this extremely fast tempo track, but it does not deviate from the initial perception of being a somber song.
I Want You Now is one of this reviewers favorite tracks on Notes From The Underground. It was particularly interesting to hear how a song that was as near perfect as humanly possible would be restructured for this project. Tri-State took away some of the frenetic energy of the original track, making it a bit more introspective than anxious. The vocals were layered on top of each other, giving Moorings a more decidedly dark essence.
The Same Dream seemed to have been crafted from the files of A Murder of Angels. Many odd sounds were incorporated, giving a metallic liquid feel. DJ RAM applied futuristic tweakings along with a mid-tempo percussive beat. This track brings Moorings to an almost demonic essence as the vocals are deepened and woven through a chorus of misbegotten souls.
At Your Mercy opens within the confines of a forlorn chasm. Naturally the beats pick up along with the pre-requisite beeps and blips. Despite the percussive element, the song maintains a mid-tempo feel. In Strict Confidence made sure to maintain the unrequited lovelorn sentiments as Moorings initially crafted this tune.
Liberty once again demonstrates a marriage of funereal and industrial tones. Damon Fries revamped this track with an up to date percolation, but maintained the level and essence of dark decadence that makes COX such a lovable band.
Into Her Web was given even further reinterpretation by Sophya/Idan K that also includes additional vocals by Sonja, in this rather somber, slow and pensive track. This track takes us to Goth circa the Lycia era and is simply full of melancholic beauty.
Internal Darkness was given the work over by The Second Sight. Ironically, the song wasn't tweaked to be a "club" song, as one would have anticipated from this group. Instead, they maintained the flow and essence of the gloomy atmosphere, focusing more on atmosphere and the maintenance of the lyrical content.
Disc 2 starts with another reworking of Anguish, only this time by Front 242. It is quite different from the first disc in that it starts off with a more percussive and pared down electronic noise effect. Some levels of jungle and drum & bass were thrown in for good measure, keeping this track up to date with many of the crossover style clubs that are a bit more adventurous with their playlist. The percussive element sounds more like a speeding heartbeat, while Moorings vocals seem to be elicited as sub-conscious self talk.
The Same Dream as remixed by Perfidious Words takes a more trip-hop flavor that is cloaked in the darkest of dark with. Moorings is given quite a showcase for his track that brings us face to face with a relationship on the brink of dissolution. It is quite a universal sentiment when he sings, "I've run out of life to give." Just when you think the track will maintain its essence of murkiness, the BPM's kick up. It is quite likely that the club play for this track may start in the middle to inspire the dancers while the DJ pushes the first portion of the track into the middle as a break for introspection.
Aboforcen took no prisoners with the remix of Liberty. They found a musical percolation that hasn't been overused by every band out there and utilized it for the intro of this track. In an odd switch, they slow down the track to give Moorings enough time to deliver the lyric, tweak the sentiment, and then launch into an electronic missile cruiser. The electronic element was simply constructed in a wave like fashion.
Beborn Beton utilized an updated electro-trip hop along with vocoder effects that simply cloak Moorings' vocals into a futuristic chasm. Michael Balch re-created Bitter Sweet to take Moorings to an even darker, almost sinister level with the deep reverberation of his vocals. Odd minor chords and gentle cacophony somehow come together to make this also a club friendly track, but also one worth dissecting in order to figure out the many layers of sounds constructed around it.
In the final analysis, the most apparent thing with this remix project is the dedication for keeping Ronny Moorings vocals as up front and clearly understood as possible. The styles may vary from industrial club killer tracks to the more pensive and morose, but the dark element is never far behind. The amount of self-reflection that went into crafting these lyrics are certainly not lost on the listener nor on those who remixed these various tracks.
These remixes certainly do not come across as a cheesy means to have the hardcore fans part with more money. There is a definite quality here, no less brilliant than those of COX themselves. Notes From The Underground certainly is a remarkable work from the band, but this remix project is just as extraordinary, fresh and vibrant, setting it apart from the former CD as an entirely new project. The listener is not accosted with ONLY dance style tracks. We are provided with reinterpretations that are also on the reflective side, which are no less stellar as those tracks meant for club rotation.
Do seek out this CD, but hurry, as the pressing is limited to 2500! It will be money very well spent. The only thing we can hope for now is a full release of COX videos, as disc 3 will make you thirst for them.
Disc 1: 1. Anguish: Deep Inside Iris Mix by Iris 2. Something's Wrong: Avatar Mix by Angels & Agony 3. Number 1: Cut Rate Box Remix 4. Innocent: Defiled Remix by Assemblage 23 5. I Want You Now: Tri-State Remix 6. The Same Dream: DJ RAM Nightmare Mix 7. At Your Mercy: In Strict Confidence Remix 8. Liberty: Damon Fries/Boudoir Mix 9. Into Her Web: Remix by Sophya, Idan K., additional vocals by Sonja 10. Internal Darkness: The Second Sight Remix bye Dierk Budde
Disc 2: 1. Anguish: Remix by Front 242 2. The Same Dream: Perfidious Words remix 3. Liberty: Remix by Aboforcen 4. Something's Wrong: Beborn Beton Remix 5. The Bitter Sweet: Blackland Remix by Michael Balch (ex-Front Line Assembly)
Disc 3: Video Interview with Ronny Moorings and Mojca for Dump TV, Amsterdam February 2001 (Interviewed, edited, subtitled and mastered by Rene van Nuland)
*
Kaleidoscope Issue 12 - Atumn 2002
Remixes From The Underground review by Jade
This 15 track remix album of some of Xymox's best known songs kicks of with a version of " Anguish" by Iris which pretty muchsets the tonefor the rest of the album. In some ways it's bizarre hearing the bands's songs rocketing along at a totally different pace anyone expecting Xymox's normally sedated music is going to be in for a shock!
The remix of "Innocent" by Assemblage 23 is fantastic-they've totally gutted the song and made it their own. I'm sure that some purist will insist that it doesn't sound like Xymox should but isn't that exactly the point of remix albums?
There's a host of big names working on the tracks including Cut Rate Box, In Strict Confidence,Front 242, Front Line Assembly and Beborn Beton and each act adds a unique element to this album.
It's obviously not the first album anyone should buy to get into the band but for existing fans it's fantastic.
Hats off to Clan Of Xymox for allowing other people such a wide remit for remixing the tracks, the only problem with this album is I might never be able to listen to my old Xymox albums in quite the same way again!
*********************
NOTES FROM THE UNDERGROUND
Notes From the Underground Side Line Nr.37 (Oct/Nov/Dec 2001)
Clan Of Xymox's new album "Notes From the Underground" couldn't have been more aptly titled than this! The Dutch dark stars have been cherishing their underground success for years now, magically capturing sombre moods and translating them into layers of synths and guitars to which they give life through their unique moving vocals. The new album reflects Clan Of Xymox 's continuous exploration of darker feelings, although we can easily perceive that these notes from the underground are this time mostly taken from Ronny's personal diary...? A self-exploring trip through the sinuous ways leading you to a talented melancholic soul. This new album is to be seen as a milestone in the band's discography towards which their previous efforts all converge , or emerge from..... Clan Of Xymox go one step further into the darkness while keeping with them their underground lights like " I Want You Now" or yet " Number One" ( or even the totally dance floor electro bonus track " The Same Dream". While the vocal range and explorations get intensified, we can also notice that the balance between the electronic arrangements and the acoustic sounds has again evolved, progressively incorporating modernity without radically changing the characteristic sound of the band, because it's not today that Ronny will sell his fragile soul to the evil "Notes From the Underground" is that kind of album with jewels, some of them shine at first listen, while the real diamonds are buried deeper and simply wait to be found, slowly growing on you ( think of " Bitter Sweet", " Something Wrong" or yet the introspective " Innocent"). Clan Of Xymox subtle ability to mix melancholy and melody deserves respect.
Congratulations! TSF:9) TSF
*
The big question is of course if I'm the right person to review an album by Clan Of Xymox as since the age of 15 I saw singer Ronny Moorings as my god, the musician who always helped me in bad and good times and since 17 years I need his music like water as I think they aren't that many days I haven't played their music, and if I'm exageratting then it can be but in my life there certainly hasn't been a week without the sounds of Clan Of Xymox. And here after the festivalseason Clan Of Xymox are turning up with a new album. Fans of the band certainly will be aware that this band aren't the same since their comeback as the once perfect synthpopwavesounds from "Medusa" or "Twist of Shadows" have turned into dark gothpop and this new album is a bit like the following up from the darkness that surrounded their latest "Creatures"-album. On some songs like "At your mercy" or "The same dream" Ronny reminds the listener that he's still able to write happy wavepopsongs but in general this must be the most intensive album Ronny Moorings has ever made and letÕs beat not about the bush: this is the music of someone who must feel unease with the world he's living in as Ronny's words might be hopeful but the music itself is like the soundtrack of a dark horrormovie, it's even like if Ronny is using the surrounding dark feelings as his inspiration to write his tunes. Just listen to a tune like "The Bitter Sweet" and it's like an explosion of feelings in where Ronny is creating a wonderful cacaphony of hysterical sounding synthsounds but just at the moment it's all too much, Ronny drives you back and comes up with a nicer tune. Hmmmmm, this album is certainly the most difficult the band has ever done but after the second listening it feels like "Notes from the underground" is the highest form of expression as I can't imagine that as an artist you can go any deeper into your soul like this. It's not a surprise to hear it from me but today at the end of August I know the album of 2001 is made.
*
Didier Becu
www.gothicparadise.com
fter two years of silence from this very popular electro-goth group, we are now treated with their latest album. This latest work sticks more with the dark gothic sounds that really came out in their previous album Creatures and their first self-titled album and the dark Medusa. The entire album fuses powerful rhythms with Ronny's haunting vocals and a monolithic mix of guitars and synths. From the very beginning, mixing simple clichŽs with their tried and true sound with "Innocent" to the more downbeat "Internal Darkness". The sounds ebb and swirl, in and out of the proverbial consciousness. The very powerful and captivating, soon to be club hit "I Want You Now" is by far my favorite song on this album. The shear power of all the electro influences and beats with the longing vocals show the listener that after nearly two decades, this group hasn't lost one bit of their talent or ability to make excellent music! "Anguish" captivates the real mood of this entire album with the dark bass and synths that slowly build into a colossal and distorted track. Ronny's vocals express such emotion in so many of these tracks, as if his heart will break if not expressed to the full extent possible. From song to song, the listener is taken through these feelings of agony, pain, love and anguish through tracks like "Into Her Web" and "The Bitter Sweet" to the finale for this wonderful album with "The Same Dream". This final track is another of my favorites as it slowly builds from electronic soundscapes, blending synths, that slowly build into an awesome dancefloor beat and Ronny's vocals. Another noteworthy part of this album is the excellent sleeve design by Mojca. The blend of runic symbols layered on Old English Script and the ever-present Xymox symbol from the old-days show this group is still alive and doing well!
Jacob Bogedahl
*
Clan Of Xymox Notes From The Underground ~reviewed by Matthew
Clan Of Xymox are a band that has preserved through nearly two decades of trends, ups and downs, and have left a wealth of contributions to the dark music underground. I have always been more partial to the bandÕs early 4AD days, with albums such as their self-titled debut and ÒMedusa.Ó I enjoyed the bandÕs Ôcome backÕ album for Tess Records ÒHidden FacesÓ but missed out on their last album ÒCreaturesÓ that featured the club hit ÒJasmine & Rose.Ó
So my coherence of the bandÕs entire career is very sketchy, but having seen them live and having several favourite songs from them, I am familiar enough with the bandÕs sound to note that this may be one of their best, if not most absorbing album in years. I was excited to hear this latest release for Metropolis Records.
It took me a few listens to fully comprehend the intensity and the angst-ridden darkness of the entire album, but I have been hooked on the disc for quite a few weeks now.
The opening track ÒInnocentÓ is incredible, kicking the CD off with a stark and very rhythmic blast of emotion. The lyrics are comprised of clichŽd phrases that are recited to mock the condolences they are meant to offer the lovesick: ÒSticks and stones break my bones but it hurts too much Easy come and easy go in love and war all seems fair, It is better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all.Ó
This thought-provoking track is followed by the peppy ÒI Want You Now,Ó which is almost too catchy for its own good. It is definitely a good pop song, but a bit too upbeat for my tastes. However, having these two songs together does establish the refreshing variety the band is capable of early on in the disc.
ÒAnguishÓ is an appropriately titled track clocking in at just under nine minutes, a track that volleys between clanging sludge and mischievous Gothic rock. ÒNumber OneÓ is in the same vein as ÒI Want You Now,Ó though it is a bit more relaxed and moody, but still an unmistakable upbeat Goth rock anthem, with some cool guitar riffs and sneaky piano chords.
ÒInto Her WebÓ is a dreary acoustic ballad, full of vivid images and a morose, heartrending atmosphere. Obviously one of my personal favourites! ÒThe Bitter SweetÓ starts off as a slower, slinky darkwave track, but after about two minutes a sudden shift occurs when some harsh electronics make their way into the song. It is definitely one of the more unpredictable and interesting songs on the album, exhibiting a great sense of variety.
Skipping ahead a few tracks, the final song, ÒThe Same DreamÓ is the heaviest on synth pop friendly elements, with a steady thud bouncing behind a hurricane of electronic blips and pops, serving as a driving and energetic close to a powerful CD. One of the best things about Clan Of Xymox is their ability to balance their musical delivery, as much of the music is centered on electronics, they are not relied on too heavily. They masterfully blend in organic Gothic rock guitar styles, driving bass lines, and Ronny MooringÕs distinctive, fluid male vocals to create a solid and complex musical maze of emotional devastation and cathartic danceabilty.
Though definitely catchy, perhaps due to some subtle romantic new wave sensibilities, this album is also a dark introspective journey into the insecurities of love or the oppressive realities of life in general. ÒNotes From The UndergroundÓ is a journey into extremely personal experiences, but set to a backdrop that can easily be enjoyed by almost all fans of dark music. This is SURE to be a hit amongst fans of not only recent club and darkwave music, but I think fans of early Goth will also pick up on the emotions that seem to extend all the way back to the bandÕs mid 1980Õs repertoire.
*
Sometimes it puzzles me why Clan of Xymox is not more readily accepted as goth music *legends* - especially in the US club scene.
I worship this band. Over 15 years have passed since their debut on the 4AD label with Clan of Xymox (1985) and later Medusa (1987). Before that they had released Subsequent Pleasures on their own label in 1984. They've been on a major label (Wing/PolyGram), played the corporate game, and came back to their roots establishing their own label time and again.
Stamina, if nothing else, should make them something other bands should aspire to.
Keeping up with current trends and most importantly, still remaining true to themselves and the scene, CoX has continued to give us incredible, quality releases year after year. No where else has a band fused electronics and organic music like CoX has continued to do.
In an interview they did with us in February 2001, Ronny commented, "As you know Clan of Xymox always delivered an album with a hybrid combination between keyboards and guitars, only the overall atmosphere this time is much darker than the previous releases.
As far as I can see this is the line I will follow for the future as I feel this suits me the best and feel the most comfortable with; the dark side of Clan of Xymox! " That being said, personally, I cannot tell you what a comfort this new CD has been for me in the past few weeks - especially regarding the happenings here in the U.S.
I've drowned myself in this CD, over and over again and nothing has felt so soothing and "right" in a long, long time. It was like a homecoming in a way. Comfort in old familiars. Its classic Xymox in feel and darker tones, but its also current, with updated electronics and club-friendly beats melded with crunchy guitars.
Its yet another perfect step forward in their progression as well as one of their most "atmospheric" CDs in a long time. The title Notes from the Underground is appropriately descriptive - having never lost touch with goth aesthetics. The production on this CD is incredible.
Never has CoX sounded more polished and more mature with every note and sound tweaked to perfection. In appearance, its utterly beautiful - the cover in brilliant green and black covered in cryptic symbols and words and contrasting inside the liner notes and on the CD itself - an elegant and graceful spider spread out on a sea of crimson.
The first track, "Innocent," opens with a scratchy intro that gives way to classic CoX sounding keyboards that set the feel and beat of the song. Slightly reminiscent of their 80's sounding keys, its tempered with a darker, atmospheric minor synth line as Ronny's vocals pour over them like familiar and warm worn-velvet. Guitars scream accents and reinforce a sense of urgency related in the lyrics.
"I Want You Now" catches the ear immediately with an addictive guitar line and steady drumming. Electronics are used more as appropriately placed accents in this song... lots of noises and twitching going on and off throughout like audio-candy. Ronny croons, "Love.... love me not" with that deep whispery voice and I could just melt to my knees on the dance floor.
"Internal Darkness" follows at a more laid back beat. Loping along in self-indulged misery, its gloomy goth at its best ending with a plaintive piano line... Sunshine, I wait for dawn's recurrent light , I ponder in my narrow house and warm myself .Moonlight calmly shines through the night , I stare at these old photographs, my heart beats fast .I find no peace to read or write , My soul is lost, my spirits down, There's no one in the dark my little world has lost its light
Track 4 - "At Your Mercy" opens with a haunting sound scape - desolate and surreal with its echoes and chimes and bird calls. You can almost feel the dark mist before the guitar line swoops in to pick you out of the fog. The guitar is probably my favorite element of this song - at times tickling our ears with a Spanish flair. Incredibly dancy it plays into seductive, hopeless lyrics ... "She said she'd always love me, she said she'd always need me...how could I could break away when she said "please stay today" , she knew I was going, she knew I was going away..."
"Anguish" is a complex track, changing tempo and mood many times through out - sometimes enjoyably sinister, sometimes contemplative depressive. Although probably not as viable on the dance floor as some of the other tracks, it is a song with alot of musical merit... a journey that changes and morphs right before your ears from steady, driven tempos, to rumbling punk-like bass lines, to near silence interludes full of minimal electronic accents. At the end, it plunges into a stark soundscape and if you listen carefully, you'll hear a keyboard line that will be repeated with more force in the track "Something Wrong".
"Number One' starts off with some interesting electronic rumblings that rather remind me of Chewy from StarWars (credit to my child-like imagination). Whatever it was intended to be, it adds mysterious texture before the song kicks into this fast paced, up beat song. Smart guitar lines drive it and layers of keys in the background fill it. Reminiscent of classic Xymox, its an easily recognizable as one of their songs no matter if you've heard it before or not.
Mournful piano lines open the sad ballad-like "Into Her Web." Accented by delicate acoustic guitar and pensive vocals, its easily the most beautiful piece on the CD. However, if I had to chose a favorite track at this point in time, I do believe it would be "The Bitter Sweet" with all its dynamic changes, mysterious tone and perfect fusion of electronics and guitars.
It opens with chiming darkness and a bubbling synth line infused with very industrial sounding noise. Ronny's voice announces, "I'm not a savior, I'm not a saint, I'm not an angel who's coming in, I dont believe in anything pure like you do" twice while intricate textured noises come to life in the background. The tempo picks up slightly and then fades into an angelic chorus until the song erupts into a new, faster tempo completely out of the blue. This transition is my absolute favorite part of the song. There's nothing like a good anticipated tempo change on the dance floor for added drama. After being electronic-heavy in the beginning, you get a good dose of guitar midway through the song and the beat continues to drive the song home while melody lines that appeared in the beginning are repeated at this new tempo. What a rush!
"Liberty," the title track to the single we saw previewed last December, is included here as track number 9. At the time of release, Anthony had written: " 'Liberty' is a song that could be interpreted different ways. " I guess it's gonna be, a question of my sanity - I guess it's gonna be against the heart of liberty." The things that lie at the " heart of liberty " are the things that keep us sane. They are our freedoms, however we define them. There is such an erosion of personal freedom throughout our life, that it leads to real desperation, a sickness of the soul. We might very well " warm to the thought of being through." Eternity still remains a veiled promise. "
"Something Wrong" is a fine example of their excellent and forward evolving synth work opening with some heavenly lines before plunging into a more desperate and sinister melody first heard at the end of "Anguish." The song moves along at a moderate pace, fusing guitar and bass in here and there and still, that keyboard line sings out in the background - akin to mournful strings, its get louder and louder and finally takes over in a furry of emotion.
Track 11, "Mysterium" was quite an unexpected treat for me and a demonstration of this bands wide ranging talent. Its an dark ambient, instrumental tracks slightly reminiscent of the Murder of Angels project put out on Middle Pillar Presents. Dark and thick in noises and gloomy atmospheres, its primordial ooze, its an industrial wasteland haunted by ghosts from different realities.
The final listed track, "The Same Dream" starts out with a version of that same synth line used in "Something Wrong" and "Anguish" neatly tying this CD together with its thematic inclusion. Sonja Rozenblum provides airy, heavenly backing vocals contrasting against Ronny's smooth voice. The beat is synth-pop in nature making it a prime candidate for the dance clubs while remaining true to its dark nature without getting too "poppy".
In conclusion, Notes from the Underground is a solid 12-song release with no bad apples in the bunch demonstrating once again that Clan of Xymox is one of the leading bands in this genre and one that deserves quite a bit more accolades than it gets. This is the standard other bands should aspire to. This is the marker for excellence from thematic approach, to infusion of organic and electronic elements, to production and presentation. This is quite possibly, the best release I'll hear all year.
This is a must have.
by : Catherine Yates
rating : KKKK
Uplifting gloom from the Low countries.
Holland's Clan Of Xymox have been lacing their Gothic forays with dark electronics
for the past 17 years. "Notes From The Underground" is a brooding
expanse of electro gloom and an excellent return to form. The occasional moments
of Cure's Deja Vu - ( 'Anguish' and ' Number One' will have you checking the
credits for mention of guest appearances)-can be forgiven, since Robert Smith
and his brooding men in black don't make records like that anymore. And though
the spectre of black eye liner looms strong, like all good bands they infuse
their basic blueprint with an elevating sense of atmosphere and texture- Bitter
Sweet' recalls The Crystal method had they spent their day jobs working at The
Black Rose. Darkly sensual and hypnotic , this is the perfect soundtrack for
candlelit nights in.
*
De
Amsterdamse band Clan of Xymox draait al weer mooi wat jaren mee en heeft in
al die jaren al een flinke stapel
albums uitgebracht. En ook ditmaal is de band er weer in geslaagd om een prima
elektro/ gothic album uit te brengen.
'Notes from the underground' begint met het bloedmooie "Innocent",
wat een geweldig nummer, vol warme sfeervolle
muziek en geweldige zang. Een perfecte opener die je direct meeneemt naar de
wereld van Clan of Xymox. En hoewel
de muziek heerlijk is om op een donkere avond bij kaarslicht te draaien krijg
je geen moment de kans om bij weg te
doezelen bij 'Notes from the underground', daarvoor is de muziek gewoon te goed.
Neem nou het nummer "At your
mercy", ook weer zo'n prachtig nummer wat je aandacht bijna zeven minuten
lang vasthoudt. En anders zijn er altijd
nog wel de meer dansbare nummers als "I want you now" en "The
same dream". Slechts één nummer valt muzikaal
bekeken buiten de boot en dat is "Number one", een nummer waar opeens
een gitaar in opduikt en daardoor enigszins
denken doet aan de Gothic Rock sound van de jaren tachtig, het neemt echter
niet weg dat ook "Number one" een
prima nummer is.
Het moge duidelijk zijn dat Clan of Xymox wederom een prima album heeft samengesteld
waar de elektro/ gothic fan
zeker weten mee uit de voeten kan. Het enige wat ik jammer vindt is dat de band
hier in Nederland nooit echt populair
is geweest, dit in tegenstelling tot enkele andere landen. Het lijkt er echter
op dat het tij hier in Nederland aan het keren
is, en het zou mooi zijn wanneer Clan of Xymox daar het verdiende profijt uit
kan halen.
8,0
Ate Hoekstra
24-11-01
http://www.gothcore.nl/gothcore.htm
*
Obscure
Notes from the Underground
Le nouvel album de Ronny Moorings est une suite logique à l'excellentissime
Darkwave de " Creatures ". Annoncée par le maxi-CD " Liberty
", les lumières vertes de " Notes from the underground "
irradient les cascades froides de claviers et de guitares d'un groupe plus habité
que jamais. Pendant une heure, le givre sature l'atmosphère et Moorings,
au loin, tente de se libérer du malheur. Réverbérations
vocales issues du néant, guitares frémissantes derrière
l'électronique dantesque, tout confère à cet album l'essence
d'un grand classique de la Darkwave. Alors que certains prêtent à
l'optique revue et corrigée de Xymox des prétentions à
la succession des Sisters, n'importe quel puriste ne peut voir dans l'incarnation
nouvelle du Clan qu'un simple prolongement, voire une extrapolation, des idées
datées d'Andrew Eldritch. Peut-être " Notes from the underground
" rappelle-t-il ci et là quelques ambiances de " Floodland
", peut-être. Mais rien de plus, rien de moins. Ce serait dévoyer
à l'auteur tout gage de sincérité et pour la peine, faire
montre d'un culot éhonté. Moorings a son propre univers même
si, c'est vrai, certains schémas appliqués par Xymox ancrent volontiers
le groupe dans la sphère d'un rock gothique revu et corrigé, sauce
Electro. " Notes from the underground " est un envoûtement sans
fin, s'inscrivant dans la lignée du précédent disque plus
que du très ouvert " Hidden faces ". Regorgeant de classiques
(les Sisters pointent le bout du chapeau dès les premières envolées
rythmiques, comme sur le cultissime " I want you now " ou " Number
one "), ce troisième album engendré par la nouvelle formation
parachève un sens consommé de la mélodie et des arrangements
: l'électronique de Moorings affine ses contours, impose sa puissance.
Privilégiant la pesanteur des tempos lents (" Into her web ",
" The bitter sweet "), Xymox tisse en pianos et guitares un album
ambiant fortement imprégné d'effets électroniques et marqué
par la présence forte de nappes synthétiques et de basses typées
Simon Gallup (" Internal Darkness ", et la cold somptueuse de "
Liberty "). Moorings et ses sbires n'en finissent plus d'enchaîner
les perles, à tel point qu'on peut se demander ce qui put maintenir en
vie la flamme perdue de Xymox durant les dix longues années succédant
la première trilogie du groupe. On est bien loin de " Medusa "
désormais, mais pour une seule raison, aussi simple que bonne : Clan
Of Xymox, plus fort que jamais, se transcende. Caméléon, il se
fond mieux que jamais dans son époque, pour se faire remarquer davantage.
Et la maturité lui donne peau neuve.
Magnifique.
*********************
LIBERTY
Fast zeitgleigh zur Live Platte kommt nun, eineinhalb Jahre nach dem Letzten Longplayer Creatures, auch noch eine neue Maxi-CD mit komplett frischem Matrial. Wer jedoch gemeint hat, hier schon den Sound eines wohl fŸr 2001 zu erwarten Albums abschþtzen zu kšnnen, sieht sich getþust, denn Ronny lþsst sich mit vier recht unterschiedlichen Tracks, die jedochfast alle deutlich mehr Gothic- als Electro-EinflŸsse aufweisen, nicht wirklich in die Karten schauen. Liberty reprþsentiert dabei am ehesten den Stil, den Clan Of Xymox erstmals auf Creatures geprþgt haben : schleppender Rhythmus, schwerer Bass, mehr dŸstere Stimmung als melodische Eingþngigheit und Ronnys tiefer Gesang dazu. Wer StŸcke wie Undermined oder Doubts mag , wird Liberty ganz sicher lieben. Der recht elektronische Remix von Greg Rule ist hingegen wohl eher Geschmackssache, abwahl man ihm zugute halten muss, dass diese Neubearbeitung endlich mal Mut zur Verþnderung beweist. Number 1 wiederum ist Gothic Rock der feinsten Sorte und wþre als titeltrack vielleicht passender gewesen, denn schnelles Tempo, perlende Gitarren, pathetische Keyboards und eine packende Melodie zeichnen den zweiten Song auf dieser Maxi aus. Bei At Your Mercy handelt es sich schlussendich um ein Jewel im klassischen Clan Of Xymox -Stil, wabei die vertrþumte Wave Atmosphþre durch das Wechselspiel zwischen Ronnys tiefer Stimme in der Strophe und seinem hohen , wirklich herzzerreissend melancholischen Gesang im Refrain einen zusþtzlichen Reiz erfþhrt. Auch wenn wohl manch einer an dieser Stelle gern ein paar StŸcke mehr von den Hollþnder gehšrt hþtte, sollten drei sehr starke Tracks, mit denen sich Clan Of Xymox so vielschichtig wie selten zuvor prþsentieren, die Wartezeit auf das nþchste Studioalbum doch erst mal ertrþglich gestalten. (-)
Dennis Wollnik
*
Prospective Music Magazine 2#2000
Liberty Clan Of Xymox has been one of the greatest acts for one and a half decade now. they've had their ups and downs but it seems now that Xymox is back from where it all started. The songs " Liberty, "Number 1" and "At Your Mercy" are fine Gothic rock songs witha slight poppish feeling. Great guitar playing, a classic electronic gothic soundscape, and deep but elegant male vocals describe the music well. The remix of "Liberty" which ends this CDM is a heavy electronic version that does not do any justice to the original track. In spite of this, Liberty is worth buying while waiting for the next full lenght. Another good purchase would be the new double live-album with the best of Xymox. Why not buy both?
Henric Nilsson
*********************
Clan of Xymox "Live" Format: DCD/Double live album Review date: Oct 17 2000 Label: Pandaimonium GenrŽ: goth Rating: 8/10 Clan of Xymox are very close to veteran status with over 15 active years in the music business, including the period when they released material under the name Xymox. Such long time in the business usually results in a best of compilation or a live album and here it is. The material on this double live album simply titled "Live" includes almost all their hit songs from their entire career under the name Clan of Xymox. Some of their best songs included are "Stranger", "A Day, "Louise", "Back Door", "This World", "The Story Ends", "Jasmine & Rose" and my favourite on this album "Consolation". The last one is very good live with its fabulous guitar escapades in the end of the song. Truly great! Things to complain about are that one of my absolute faves are not included, namely "Medusa" but you can't get everything. Another thing is that the songs are very similar to the original versions which partly can be due to the fact that some of the electronic sounds are prerecorded when they perform. I choose to think of "Live" as a combined best of compilation and an ordinary live album. Another reason for this way of viewing it is that the song material are not focused on the latest, or any, particular album. This is simply a best of album by one of the best bands, ever, with the songs in slightly different versions. Recommended!
ikon
*
If
you're anything like me, you probably shy away from investing in, let alone
listening to live albums. This makes it twice the pleasure to declare that Clan
of XYMOX's long awaited LIVE album is a triumph. The album material presented
here is culled from their recent South and Central American tours. Quality is
stamped all over this outstanding album. Congratulations to Ronny Mooring on
the remixing, and to the sound crew. Their work is immaculate. It consists of
nineteen tracks, and two videos. The songs are taken from perrenial favorites
like the debut that started it all - " Clan of Xymox," Hidden Faces, " " Creatures,"
Medusa," Twist of Shadows," and one from their " B-sides " collection. My great
challenge is to choose just a couple from this trove to spotlight. Because the
quality is so consistent, it really comes down to personal preference. The following
are mine. "Stranger" is an excellent song off the first Clan of Xymox album,
and it was the first song on the first disk. It opens with chants of "Xymox."
Amidst the furor, the opening strains of " Stranger" begin to filter in and
establish the mood. >From here, the song soars and lunges, and soars again.
I was moved, as I've always been by the vulnerability displayed in the reluctance
of really talking face to face. This was sublime. "The Story Ends" is off the
Hidden Faces album. Interestingly enough, it is also a great companion piece
to "Stranger." This isn't a story of avoidance, but one of confrontation. It
opens with a snowfall of synth, guitars, and bass. When Ronny sings "When silence
comes in , and creeps underneath the skin, If the lost word is lost and the
spent word is spent, This is the time, this is the place where the story ends,"
he sings it with such poignant dread, that you cannot help but personalize the
experience of rupture. This review wouldn't be complete without mentioning the
two QuickTime videos included on disk2. The first is track nine "Jasmine & Rose."
It's a video of the band playing a an outdoor show somewhere. It pans out across
the crowd, and focuses upon the band, and individual band members. I really
enjoyed it, it made the song that much more effective. The second - Well, I'll
leave something for you to discover. This is even better. It's troubling to
contemplate the experiences that may have escaped me. I've had a general misconception
that live albums were less than worthy of my time or investment. The Clan of
XYMOX - Live album may be a phenomenon. In my experience of live albums it is.
If you've had the opportunity to experience a live show, or wish you could,
this is as near the realization of that experience as you can hope for, short
of being there. Find, listen, feel and experience it. It is singular.
*
Orkus, November 2000
Es hat tatsþchlich noch gefehlt in der nunmehr siebzehnjþhrigen Bandgeschichte,
das erste offizielle Live-Album von Clan Of Xymox. Und da die formation um Mastermind
Ronny Moorings ihre alten Hits bei Konzerten nie vernachlþssigt und zudem stets
Versionen spielt, die den Albumfassungen sehr nahe kommen, kann man Live getrost
auch gleich als erste richtige Best Of-Platte bezeichnen. Wer die Hollþnder
in den drei Jahren seit ihrem Comeback auf der BŸhne gesehen hat, dŸrfte sich
das exquitsite Tracklisting schon ausmalen kšnnen, das einen hier auf zwei Silberscheiben
erwartet ( Stranger, A Day, Louise, Back Door, Muscoviet Mosquito, This World,
Jasmine & Rose) plus zwšlf weiter Songs und zwei Live -Videos), denn mit diesem
Set waren Ronny und der Clan bereits mehrmahls auf Tour. Nicht nur die Klangqualitþt
ist dabei erstklassig, auch der Aufnahmeort wurde mit Lateinamerika klug gewþhlt,
ziehen Clan Of Xymox dort doch mal eben ein paar tausend Zuschauer auf ihre
Konzerte ( was unter anderem Eintrittspreise wesentlich billiger sind als die
fŸr Tontrþger). So eine Kulisse, die unentweg 'xymox, xymox....' skandiert,
macht auf einer Live -CD dann in der Tat auch einiges her, von imposanten Cover
Motiv mit der Ÿberdimensionalen BŸhne mal ganz zu zweigen. darob bleibt am Ende
nur festzustellen : wer die Faszination von Clan Of Xymox bis heute weder erlebt
noch verstanden hat, sollte mit dieser Scheibe um eine erfarhrung reicher werden.
(-)
Dennis Wollnik
*********************
Clan of Xymox Cd Single-"Consolation" ~reviewed by Admortem Clan of Xymox fans have been waiting fourteen years for a true follow-up to the debut album "Medusa". With the release of "Creatures", the wait is over . After being signed with 4AD, Wing, Zok Records, Tess, and now finally Metropolis, this "label-hopping" band have finally gone back to producing the music that helped defined the beginnings of the electroGothic movement. "Creatures" is a throwback to the days of that good danceable dark rock that made bands like the "Sisters of Mercy" and "Joy Division" so popular in goth clubs. One song that is sure to be on every dj's rotation list is "Consolation". "Consolation" is the first of potentially many songs from this album to be released. The release of this song on a cd single is due out in first week of October worldwide. On this single, there are remix versions of "Consolation" and "Jasmine & Rose" by John Rivers (ex-producer of Love and Rockets), a radio edit version of "Consolation" and a brand new song that isn't released on "Creatures". This song, which is called "Reason", is a very upbeat, dancey song that is reminiscent of material off of "Hidden Faces". Ronny Moorings voice pattern on this song is similar to how David Gahan sounds when he sings "Behind the Wheel". Unfortunately, "Reason" is the only reason to buy this CDS (HmmÉ isn't that ironic). The two versions of "Consolation" and the mix of "Jasmine & Rose" do not differ enough from their original mix to warrant this CDS a must buy. If you are a hardcore Clan of Xymox fan, then this CDS is worth the $7.00 that you will probably spend on it just so you can have the song "Reason", otherwise I recommend just buying the full length album "Creatures" because it is clearly the best Clan of Xymox release since "Medusa".
*********************
CREATURES
Eden Salisbury
Those who are already familiar with Clan of Xymox > will find CREATURES a
definite change of pace.
Without abandoning the sound that for so many years has defined them,
this ever-metamorphosing band has
re-birthed itself once again. With CREATURES, CoX pave their way into
a new, more modern sound. It
may have seemed that they already peaked in terms of darkness with earlier
releases such as MEDUSA, but
CREATURES takes that darkness one step further by adding a distinctly
harder edge to it. Guitar and vocals
are the main musical foci of this CD. A steady driving dance beat underlies
the sound, providing good
dance possibilities. They dabble in Sisters of Mercy-like territory
JASMINE AND ROSE and
UNDERMINED, the latter integrating the traditional CoX sound to make it
a truly superior song. In other pieces,
like TASTE OF MEDICINE, they drift into Peter Murphy-esque landscapes.
With WATERFRONT, they
successfully experiment with a slightly harder, more industrial sound
than they've tampered with in the
past. Although CREATURES is reminiscent of other artists in places, it
everywhere maintains that deep
irony that only Clan of Xymox can achieve.
*
Laure Cornaire
Elegy June 1999
"We predicted with the second album of Clan Of Xymox, post Xymox, the
return to somber atmospheres, but we certainly did not expect such a big
surprise. At a time when the Sisters of Mercy make us wait eternally and
have long denied their gothic origins, Clan Of Xymox comes to the rescue
pouring out a new flood of melancholy and cold melodies. Ronny Moorings'
voice reaches notes so low that we barely recognize him, and when he
intones " I've lost faith in humankind " it is not hard to be conforted
in
the idea that " Creatures " is manifest, and according to the words
of its
author, the darkest album of the band. But even if some of its elements
revive in our memories emanations from " First & last & always
" or "
Pornography " (on " Waterfront "), they do not erase the grip
of Clan Of
Xymox, which wisely directs the production's totality. There is nothing
nostalgic either in these evocations of the past which actualize
themselves marvelously in the group's sound. The proof is that after
rising from their ashes, Ronny and his clan are far from having finished
surprising us."
*
Dennis Wollnik
Orkus nr.5 Mai 1999
....die Orkus -Platte des Monats (record of the month)
Auch mit dem achten Album bleibt Ronny Moorings, kreativer Kopf hinter Clan
of Xymox, seinem Grundsatz treu,
keine seiner Platten wie die andere klinken zu lassen. doch im Gegensatz zu
der Zeit, als der Niederländer viele fans der
ersten Stunde mit einer Mixtur aus Techno, Pop und Wave verschreckte, wird es
diesmal bei allen Freunden der beiden
4AD-Werke deswegen mit Sicherheit keinen langen Gesichter geben.
Dennoch sind die Unterschiede zum Vorgänger, der vor knapp zwei Jahren stilistisch
an die Ursprünge wieder anschloss,
geradezu frappierend, Synthetische Popstrukturen grüssen auf "Creatures"zwischen
kantigerer Elektronik,
mächtigeren Keyboards und ausgeprägteren Gitarren allenfalls aus der Ferne.
Das Arrangement ist um Längen düsterer
und die Produktion um so viel wuchtiger, dass "Hidden Faces" dagegen-trotz
seiner Klasse-beinahe schon ein wenig kraftlos wirkt
. Schade allenfalls, dass sich die meisten der elf Stücke -abgesehen vom Opener
"Jasmine and Rose" , der zunächts mit einer
"First Last and Always"-Gitarre überascht und sich anschliessend zu
einem an Dynamik kaum zu überbietenden Monsterhit
mausert- im Mid -Tempo-Bereich und darunter bewegen.
So läuft "Creatures" insbesondere mit elegischen Balladen wie "Consolation"
und "All I Have" zu bestechender Hochform auf,
während der eine oder andere Titel die melodische Eingangigkeit auch schon mal
vermissen lasst, was die ausdrucksstarke Gesamtatmosphäre
aber geschickt auffürhrt. Als Musterbeispiel für die "neuen" Clan
of Xymox mag aber das bombastische "Waterfront" herhalten,
das mit wütenden Electro Rhythmen, ekstatischen Gitarrenläufen und dem gewohnt
leidenschaftlichen Gesang ein absolut authentisches,
von aufgesetzten Klischees gänzlich unberührtes Gefühl von Schmertz und Verzweiflung
freisetzt. Qualitat, die sich durchsetzen wird...
*
Frauke Stöber
Zillo Nr.5 Mai 1999
Das nunmehr vierte Album der Niederlander verspricht, wieder ein echter Wave/
Gothic-Knaller zu werden!
Nach ihrem Comeback 1997 (mit ihrem dritten Album "Hidden Faces")
und zwei Jahren voller Auftritte waren Clan of Xymox
nun in den Woodbine Studios, um mit Produzent John.A.Rivers 'Creatures' aufzunehemen.
Den Ausflug in Pop-und Dancebereiche
haben sie (zum Glück) beendet, und so klingt 'Creatures' wie der wie ganz frührer:
melodischer Wave/Gothic zwischen Elektronik und
Gitarre Vergleiche mit anderen grossen Bands der guten alten Zeit wie z.B.mit
den Sisters Of Mercy (bei Opener"Jasmine and Rose")
oder mit the Cure (bei "Waterfront") sind durchaus gerechtfertigt,schmälern
jedoch keineswegs die Qualität der Musik.Mann
kann Singer und Frontmann Ronny Moorings zu diesem Album einfach nur gratulieren!
Ca n’est pas pour rien si, dès sa parution, "Creatures"
focalisa l’attention. Ce disque entraînait un évident constat
: il confirmait le revirement opéré par Clan Of Xymox, mais sans
doute de manière plus péremptoire que sur l’album du retour,
"Hiddden faces" (1997). Ronny Moorings semblait alors avoir décidé
d’abandonner les teintes feutrées de l’ancien style de son
groupe, pour se tourner vers une musique toujours électronique mais plus
frontale, et dont les atmosphères et les phrasés se tourneraient
plus franchement vers le Gothique et la Coldwave.
"Creatures", et l’année 1999 signèrent à
la fois la fin du millénaire pour C.O.X. et peut-être, la perte
de certains des premiers fans qui trouvèrent alors le propos de Moorings
bien sépulcral. Quel disque que "Creatures", tout de même
! Dès sa sortie, le leader survivant annonça la couleur : cet
enregistrement était sûrement ce qu’il avait commis de plus
sombre jusqu’ici. Personne ne contesterait cela, et le Clan, d’ailleurs,
ne remettrait pas le couvert de sitôt, malgré un excellent "Notes
from the underground" en successeur (puis le piètre "Farewell"
en 2003).
"Jasmine and Rose", dès les premières salves, se fondent
dans le rock gothique originel même si l’environnement reste électronique.
En adoptant des voix si graves sur des tournures rappelant à ce point
celles des années 80, Moorings ne doit pas s’étonner aujourd’hui
si des commentateurs mal (?) intentionnés comparent à ce moment
précis Clan Of Xymox à de "nouveaux Sisters Of Mercy"
(Il le fit, pourtant : quel culot, ce gaillard…)! Certes, son nouveau groupe
reste, dans le style, d’un niveau très largement supérieur
à la cohorte de copieurs d’Eldritch. Mais les réflexes sont
là, et les fans de Gothic "new school" formeront le prochain
public de Clan Of Xymox, alors que sa signature sur 4AD avait, dans les années
80, accouché de deux disques mélancoliques hésitant entre
Pop et Wave, et rassemblant a priori un public plus ouvert. En 1999, un autre
décorum est planté : lignes et sons de basse dignes des meilleurs
Cure (bravo, Mojca) pour leur hypnose et leur lourdeur, comme sur les abyssaux
"Waterfront", (moment fort du disque) ou "Taste of medicine"
; guitares économes mais suffisamment présentes pour créer
la tension ("Undermined", noir total et motifs électro-acoustiques)
; batterie implacable. Un disque dantesque, pour un point d’orgue : "Falling
down", le titre sur lequel Xymox atteint une apogée stylistique,
un petit miracle.
Dans l’ensemble, "Creatures" est un disque lent et lourd, opaque
et chargé en claviers (programmations additionnelles signées Adrian
Hates, un maître du genre). L’ensemble est synthétique, profond
et évocateur ; et en son creux, la voix de Moorings adopte une pose affectée
("Consolation"). Même si Ronny n’en rajoute pas, il reste
que "Creatures" abrite une théâtralité morbide
: la lumière est condamnée, seul le seul parcours des ténèbres
est organisé et semble ne pouvoir connaître de fin. En cela, l’écoute
de "Creatures", malgré des mélodies efficaces et réellement
sublimes, peut décourager : il y a là comme une sensation d’étouffement,
sans doute pas à la hauteur de ce que "Pornography" provoqua
en son temps ; mais une sensation assez forte pour que le disque symbolise une
nouvelle étape pour la Coldwave : ses machines peignent le Noir total.
Clan Of Xymox, nouveaux maîtres. Une prise de pouvoir qui sera de bien
courte durée : la suite s’avèrera moins claire dans l’intention,
mais… les ténèbres ne perdent rien pour attendre.
Emmanuël
*
BILLBOARD
Clan Of Xymox Breathes Life Into "Creatures"
BY DAVID RICHARDS
click here to go to the
Billboard-Page
SILVER SPRING, Md.-Interest in Clan Of Xymox is once again on the
rise, so now is the perfect time for the venerable synth-rock group to
unleash "Creatures," its first album on electro/industrial label Metropolis
Records, due May 4.
Xymox has come close to that big pop break several times in its career. It amassed
a U.S.
cult following with two Wing/Polydor sets, 1989's "Twist Of Shadows"
and 1991's
"Phoenix." From there, the band moved to the independent Tess Records
for 1997's
critically touted but little-heard "Hidden Faces."
Earlier this year, the band's first label, 4AD, reissued the late-'80s
sets "Clan Of Xymox" and "Medusa" with previously unrelesed
cuts.
Group leader Ronny Morrings says "Creatures" picks up where "Hidden
Faces" left off. "This album presents a much more unified face of
Xymox.
This time, I concentrated on a more consistent, darker sound. I think this
album is more intimate." At the same, Moorings says, the set reflects "the
people that we've met being on tour for the past three years-the creatures,
if you will."
Among the set's highlights are "Jasmine" and "Rose," which
are menacing
but club-friendly tracks that recall one of the band's contemporaries, Sisters
Of Mercy, in the way it mixes guitars, a drum machine, and stacked choruses.
Moorings writes all the group's songs and plays all the instruments in the
studio. He produced "Creatures" with help from engineer John Rivers.
"It
was a very normal album for Xymox in that way," says Moorings. "I
recorded everything in the studio, then when we play live, the rest of the band
joins me."
Moorings and the rest of the group, Mojca (bass), Rob Vonk (guitar),
Sharon Soffner (keyboards), and Rui Ramos (drums), start a U.S. tour with
fellow Metropolis act Project Pitchfork this month, running through May.
Moorings looks forward to getting Xymox's music back out into the world.
"I feel we have a very unique sound; we do not sound like any number of
electronic bands. I think everyone feels like they try to make their own
music, but I think we succeed in making something that is all our own."
*
"Jasmine and Rose" is the first song on "Creatures", the new Clan of Xymox album. You can hear a little impact of Sisters of Mercy in it, just like on the whole album. Dark, electronic with a lot of specific guitars. It's quite big surprise after the previous recordings of Ronny Moorings. In fact "Hidden Faces" was a step into dark climates again but just "Creatures" shows these musical dimension clearer. To write it in short, it is very good and modern record just before the end of the Century. Great realization and production . Because of it they are great, very modern and well- availed d-drumms also very well- sounding guitars. Near to it there is an indescribable mysterious climate cover by night and great emotions. From "Jasmine and Rose" to "Doubts" there are no weak points on the record and you listen to it breathlessly , with your heart going faster and faster. I'm starting to think that it is maybe the best produced record on the gothic scene for the last few years.
*
Alex : ˆ venir... Virginie : "Des trois albums du groupe que je connais au jour d'aujourd'hui, cet album est pour moi le plus sombre du groupe. Moins Žlectronique que Hidden Faces, cet album n'en reste pas moins trs rythmŽ. Le groupe retrouve ses origines et sa voix, descendue dans les graves les plus profonds et de faon radicale, ajoute beaucoup ˆ l'ambiance froide et obscure de l'album. La plupart des mŽlodies sont langoureuses , mŽlodiques ; le son est lourd (attention , je suis positive lˆ), parfois oppressant (juste ce qu'il faut pour maintenir cette ambiance) . C'est un album que j'Žcoute avec plaisir, il est vrai que je ne m'ennuie pas lorsque j'Žcoute cet album. Cependant, il y a quelques chansons que je prŽfre ˆ d'autres : - Jasmine & Rose : Cette chanson qui dŽbute l'album vous met de suite dans l'ambiance sombre de l'album, et la voix grave de Ronny y est un petit plus. - Consolation : ma prŽfŽrŽe de l'album. Rythme lent, envožtant, mŽlodie mŽlancolique. Bref, j'aime. - Creature : MŽlodie lente du dŽbut qui vous entra”ne puis alternance avec une mŽlodie plus brisŽe mais tout aussi envožtante. Encore un album de rŽussi, Ronny a su une fois de plus m'Žtonner."
*
Creatures Metropolis Records Reviewed by Thomas S. Roche This is Xymox's second "post-comeback" album, a Metropolis follow-up to 1997's Hidden Faces on Tess Records. It's a great return to the fold, being a little more tightly put-together than the excellent Hidden Faces. For the uninitiated, if there are any of you out there, Clan of Xymox was one of the creators of what is now the "Goth" sound, with their synthetic, haunting music from the early 1980s. I still think nothing they've done has matched their 4AD debut Clan of Xymox, Creatures is my favorite of their three most recent albums (including 1989's Twist of Shadows). Overall it's an excellent album. It ranges from soft, romantic introspection to grandiose, stirring constructions of melodic sound. The quality of production is first-rate. There's some lovely songs on Creatures, and while there are no huge surprises to anyone who's heard the classic Xymox albums from the '80s, much of it is quite inventive. The sound is what you would expect from an '80s electronica/Goth act returning to the realm it helped create. And Xymox can still make it happen with the best of 'em. This music is dark, moody, and heartfelt. If you've enjoyed any of Clan of Xymox's albums, including the classic first disk, Creatures is highly recommended.
*
Clan of Xymox Creatures Metropolis, MET 128 http://www.darkvelvet.com/issue4/music.html These guys label hop more than any band I know! That tidbit aside, Ronny and the gang are back in the saddle again and I dare say that this is the best Xymox album ever. I'm not discounting their first album (self-titled) for 4ad and I'm in no way pushing aside their last release (and it was the last) release for Tess, Hidden Faces, but this album takes the atmospheric sound found on their first release and gives it a 90s feel similar to select tracks from Hidden Faces. The outcome is just unbelievably awesome. Ronny's main vocal is deeper here than on their last release and it will come as a surprise to those familiar with his usual sound. I've read some reviews recently that even compare his new vocal style with that of Andrew Eldritch. I won't go that far, but I will say that it came as a suprise, albeit a pleasant surprise. Overall, Xymox fans will find this release to have a more consistent style/sound than the hodge-podge on their last effort. All gothic music fans are lost without this release. 'Nuff said. (Say tuned for the forthcoming Xymox interview in the Fall 1999 issue)
*
http://gothik.nu/reviewsc1.shtml#clan The legendary Dutch band Clan of Xymox gives us their best album since "Medusa", or maybe even their best album ever. The opening track "Jasmine & Rose" is a superb opening. A fast, good old Sisters- like song and suddenly you«re back in the eighties again."Creatures" is certainly one of the best achieved albums in the genre this year. Ronny«s emotional voices not far from Robert Smith«s, echoing keys and guitars, and their characteristic drum patterns makes this sublime album even more beautiful. This is the best gothic act since the early days of Sisters of Mercy and "Creatures" is already a classic. Highly Recommended!!Anders Lammela
"This time, I concentrated on a more consistent, darker sound." -- Ronny Moorings, Clan of Xymox Creatures reveals a gloomy deep-voiced side of Ronny that even long time fans will have a hard time recognizing. Jasmine and Rose fits perfectly on the Sisters of Mercy's "First and Last and Always", Taste of Medicine borrows elements from Peter Murphy's songs, while The Cure meet the Xymox on the track Waterfront... and every other track on this album plunges us deeper into the darkest sounds of Gothism. The Clan have put together a masterpiece, raising the bar of challenge. Favorite tracks: Consolation and All I Have.
*********************
THIS WORLD
D. Ohrt
Rebell! magazine
Last year, the Dutch band around mastermind Ronny Moorings celebrated their
'comeback'. An excellent album ('Hidden faces'),
which revived the old days and brought new ideas into the sound. Now you can
get the second single of this album.
The song is called 'This world' and is on the maxi in two different versions.
The COX is more orientated
on the recent live version and comes with a strong bassline and atmospheric
electronic sounds. There are also some
bonus tunes on the cd, 'Sing a song' (to sing along) which is already known
from'Hidden faces',
which you soon realize, as it is a strong tune that goes into your own flesh
and blood. With 'Not for the money'
you can find another new song, which is okay and goes a bit more into the electro/industrial
section.
A single that works really well with appealing artwork
(designed by Mojca, who plays the bass with COX as well), which is a good appetizer
for a new album and many more gigs!
*********************
HIDDEN FACES
Lexicon number 7, 1998
Lonely is an Eyesore is a classic collection of songs from the then current
roster of bands on 4AD. There is hardly
a bad track among the bunch, but certainly a standout track is 'Muscoviet Mosquito".Flash
forward to 1991 and
'Phoenix of My heart" flashes like a fool's gold admist the dirt that was
the radio. I should have known that
Ronny Moorings was on to something, but instead I wrote them of to alternaobscurity.
Imagine my surprise when I played 'Hidden Faces' and found that every song on
the album was as good
if not better than the two earlier hits. 'Out Of The Rain' opens the album with
a hint of strings and trashing guitars.
"Troubled Soul' ticks along with a killer drumbeat and killer melody. The
songs often have a strong beat, and also often
feature percolating sequencer patterns, but the album never falls into the trap
of one dimensional synth-music.
'This World' may lift percussion patterns from 'Depeche Mode' but Moorings overlays
that with vivid and warm colors.
Real Life's drum machines may be able to kick anyone else's butts, but Xymox's
will certainly leave you sore the next morning.
At times the album recalls Sister of Mercy or even Bel Canto, but the Xymox
have a sound all their own, and they use it to
great effect here.The polished vocals and full production sound is first class
all the way. The fact that Moorings backs it up with
great songs with intelligent lyrics makes it all the better. Thank God there
are still people out there who understand that being
electronic doesn't mean you have to be electronica.
Highly recommended-DR
*
Caitlin R. Kiernan
Carpe Noctrem issue #13
Released twelve years after the bands debut, Ronny Moorings' latest Album, Hidden
Faces, takes its title
from Salvador Dali's only novel. And it's classic Xymox, pure and solid eurogothpop
with a definite retro sensibility
(and if you're as weary as I am of the Chemical Brothers or the Crystal Method,
that's a good thing). Backed by an impressive
line-up of producers, familiar faces like Dave M. Allen and John A. Rivers,
Hidden Faces delivers a variety of moods and textures,
from the darkly danceable "Out of the Rain", "This World",
and "Special Friends" to more somber and unexpected tracks like
"Wailing Wall", "Piano piece" and "November".
The band definitely seems to be exploring new territory, without deserting its
old strengths. My only complaint is that the lyrics aren't included with the
disc, an unfortunate oversight
(or budget requirement) since the lyrics are really the heart of this album.
And just in case you're actually trying to keep track
of the bands ever-shifting line-up, Clan of Xymox currently features Ronny Moorings
(well,duh) on vocals and guitar,
Mojca on bass and vocals, Rob Vonk on guitar and backing vocals, Nina Simic
on keyboards, and Rui Ramos on drums.
Strongly recommended for perky and mopey goffs alike! No, really!
*
Girl the Goth
Sordid Reviews Archive May 1998
Clan of Xymox are back. After a few years with a shorter name (Xymox) and indie
label obscurity,
one of the original goth bands have returned in time for the current goth revival.
Clan of Xymox have been
around since 1984 and were originally on 4AD at the height of their goth period.
But, the question is, 14 years later,
with Bauhaus and the Fields of the Neph gone and the Sisters a pale shadow of
their former selves, do they have anything
to offer a generation obsessed with Marilyn Manson? The answer is a resounding
yes. "Hidden Faces" is a classic goth album,
with enough contemporary elements to make it relevant. They stick to a basic
goth tapestry, with echoes of the Sisters,
but no blatant rip-offs. They weave in 80s electro synths, mixed with current
goth sounds, like the choral singing and
tribal drums on "Wailing Wall", and a vocal style that is all their
own, melodic singing with a really listenable hint of a
germanic accent (which is something only a few bands like Lacrimosa and the
Young Gods can pull off.) "Out of the Rain"
has all the playfulness and magpie tendencies necessary for great goth stuff,
the refrain "No, no, no" could have come from
the Sister's "No Time to Cry", but it's turned around into something
fresh and original. "Sing a Song" is all gothic powerchords
and techno beats, "Hypocrite" is a driving darkindus. number, while
"Piano Piece" is just that. This is varied, eclectic, playful,
but above all it's goth, at its most interesting. Perfect.
*
Connie Hartmann
FLOW
http://www.flowonline.com/archives98/feb98-articles/CH-xymox.htm
Wouldn't it be nice to have the power to stop time and then start again once
we've
gotten all our eggs in their rightful baskets. One such person, Ronny Moorings,
has
accomplished that task. Moorings, who is the lead singer and songwriter for
Clan of
Xymox, picked up where the band left off in 1991. Back then, their release,
Phoenix,
tried hard to gain as much popularity as the album before it, Twist of Shadows.
Nothing
has really changed since then, except perhaps their name. Just in case you're
wondering,
the band dropped the "clan" part of the name back in 1989 when it
signed on with
Polydor Records and called themselves simply Xymox.
Now back with their original name, Clan of Xymox, Hidden Faces is quickly putting
them back on the charts. The entire album is just magnificent. Out of the Rain,
the first
track on the album, breaks in strong and confident with a moving chorus, which
rants on
about a man who has ruined a relationship and wants to make ammends with his
former
lover, begging her to help him get out of the rain. Track five, Wailing Wall,
is a truly
eloquent and melodic song, complete with a full-bodied, moaning, male voice,
accompanied by church bells, both at the beginning and toward the end. There
is also a
great piano solo, entitled Piano Piece; very short, but a nice addition to the
rest of the
group. There is a pretty neat twist, the sound of a ping-pong ball going back
and forth
on a table combined with a nice mixture of sleek electronic violins and other
cool electronic
keyboard chords in Your Vice.
The album was recorded by world-renowned producers John Rivers (Love and Rockets,
Dead Can Dance) and David Allen (The Cure, Sisters of Mercy). With their help,
Hidden Faces was built with an abundance of electronic-dance-goth bricks which
make a
structure so elaborate and pleasing I can't imagine not living in it.
*
Jason Hullinger
Propaganda Magazine
Starting back in 1984, Clan of Xymox have always been on the cutting
edge of modern gothic music. Their cult- like status in Europe began with the
release of their self-produced SUBSEQUENT PLEASURES album, and really
took off when they joined the 4AD line-up and released the legendary CLAN
OF XYMOX and MEDUSA Lps. Now with their new HIDDEN FACES CD, the
Clan returns to that 4AD sound we all know and love, only now it has an
updated '90s feel to it.
"I started Clan of Xymox in Amsterdam with releasing SUBSEQUENT
PLEASURES on my own label in 1984," recalls Ronny Moorings, the founder
and lead singer of the band. Of course, I wanted to tour, so I asked my girlfriend
at the time, Anke, to play the bass live and sing on one of my tracks of
SUBSEQUENT PLEASURES, and my former roommate, Pieter, to play the
keyboards. Looking back, I still have good memories of its
creation. At the time, I studied and tried to make some music, but most of the
time
didn't have a clue what I was doing. The whole process taught me a lot about
the
workings of music in general. The best thing about SUBSEQUENT PLEASURES was
that one day, when I was promoting the mini-album in Nijmegen, I met
Brendan Ferry and Lisa Gerrard of Dead Can Dance in a restaurant. They were
having
dinner at the same table I was sitting at, and they told me they were the support
act of the Cocteau Twins. After talking for awhile, they invited me to see the
show, and asked me to come backstage after they played. This was my first real
life encounter with 4AAD artists. I gave Brendan a copy of SUBSEQUENT PLEASURES,
and we kept in contact.
A few weeks later, he asked me if Clan of Xymox wanted to do a tour
with them in the U.K. Of course we felt honored and accepted the invitation.
Soon, Ivo Watts, the label boss of 4AD, offered us a recording contract. As
they
say, the rest is history. Over that history, nothing remained the same for us
musically. If a band repeats their sound every time, it gets old really fast.
A band
should evolve, and take each album as an opportunity for new ideas. It would
be
very boring to hear 10 of the same albums of a group. It would be like
having
the same meal to eat over and over again. Then again, there are some people
who like that."
Ronny has also changed the name of the band a couple of times as well. It
started as Clan of Xymoz, went to Xymox for awhile, and now is back to Clan
of
Xymox again. When asked why, Ronny explains, "To confuse you and
the rack jobbers in the record stores. Actually though, everytime we
changed the name, it was a sign there was a certain change for us. I feel the
new
CD, HIDDEN FACES, connects better with the 4AD period, so you could say it
is like the third Clan of Xymox album."
"In 1991, with the release of the PHOENIX Lp, Xymox was in a real identity
crisis. At the time, all sorts of people were telling me in what direction the
band
should go. I was living in London then, and I think the worst thing about that
city is that everyone wants you to be the hippest on the scene. You can't help
but get caught up in that musical trap. That's why there is on PHOENIX an
indication of moving towards a sort of dance style, which was
coming up in the U.K. in the early '90s." (Even the Cure got caught up
in it with
their MIXED UP album.)
"METAMORPHOSIS and HEADCLOUDS were just followups on that general
mood everyone was in. On HEADCLOUDS, Xymos tried to combine dance
grooves with a melancholic sound, plus vocals. It was part of an experiment,
which we now steer clear of. Personally, I find it always interesting if a band
tries something different for a change, as it is easy to repeat your same sound
over and over until people are sick of it. After HEADCLOUDS, I moved back to
Amsterdam and had a break from making music, and regained my interest by
meeting different people, going to Industrial/Gothic parties,
and basically rediscovering myself again. Now, I'm sick of anything related
to
dance, as there is nothing underground about it anymore. In a way, I feel like
I've come full circle. Now in the new album, HIDDEN FACES, the band has
returned to its roots."
HIDDEN FACES is indeed a superb album - maybe their best date.
There's plenty of different material on it to welcome back any old
die-hard Clan of Xymox enthusiast. The song "November" has a certain
resemblance
to some Dead Can Dance songs, which is probably due to the fact that
John A. Rivers produced it, along with several other songs on the album. He
has
produced a couple of Dead Can Dance albums in the past. Some of the songs
definitely remind one of early Clan of Xymox, but with an updated twist.
The album can be divided into four styles of music- hard - edged industrial
pieces like "Going Round 97" and "Hypocrite"; melancholic
ballads like "It's All a
Lie"; dark rythmic songs like "Out of the Rain" and "Sing
a Song"; and
finally slow "soundtrack" music like "November" and "Wailing
Wall."
"You can find all these ingredients on those 4AD albums - CLAN
OF XYMOX and MEDUSA," adds Ronny. "I think the music on HIDDEN FACES
is
logical follow-up to what Clan of Xymox made in the early '90s. It's
something I'm really satisfied with."
*
"Not since the early "Medusa" CD has CLAN OF XYMOX sounded this good. The gothic tinge is back, the diverse and amazing melodies have returned. There is also a new sound that blankets your eyes and puts you in an ornately decorated merry-go-round dragon as the sun disappears behind the castle in slow motion". -Fright X
*
Hidden Faces (1997) Suite logique des deux premiers albums, Hidden Faces est considŽrŽ comme le 3ime album de Clan of Xymox.
Alex : ˆ venir... Virginie : "Plus Žlectronique et plus rythmŽ que Medusa, Hidden Faces est l'album qui marque la renaissance qu groupe en tant que Clan Of Xymox et lma fin du groupe en tant que Xymox. De nombreux morceaux de cet album passent en soirŽe gothique du fait de leurs rythmes dansants et Žcouter cet album est un peu comme si je me plongeais dans cette ambiance si spŽcifique ˆ ces soirŽes. Ronny Moorings a su faire de cet album un album trs variŽ aussi bien au niveau de la musique qu'au niveau de la voix. On pase de morceaux Žlectroniques ˆ des morceaux plus mŽlodiques. En effet, si les trois premiers morceaux sont trs Žlectroniques, les trois suivants correspondent plus au groupe ˆ leurs dŽbuts et ainsi de suite, les morceaux s'encha”nent et ne se ressemblent gure. Bref, le rŽsultat est excellent et on ne s'ennuie pas avec cet album. Les deux seuls morceaux avec lesquels j'ai du mal ˆ accrocher sont en fait deux morceaux un peu trop atmosphŽriques ˆ mon gožt : Walling Wall et November."
*********************
OUT OF THE RAIN
Dennis Wollnik
Orkus #7&8 July/August 1997
Nach den letzten, eher Dancefloor-orientierten Xymox-Veröffentlichungen
Hätte ich eigentlich nicht erwartert,
dass Mastermind Ronny Moorings jemals wieder einen song wie "Out of the
Rain" schreiben würde.
Obwohl das Songwriting über all die Jahre eine gewisse Unverkennbarkeit behalten
hat, liegen zwischen der musikalischen
Umsetzung der 4AD-alben und dem letzten, inzwischen vier Jahre zurückliegenden
Werk "Headclouds" welten.
"Out of the Rain" ist eine nostalgische Rückbesinnung - ohne sich
dabei selbst zu kopieren - auf alte Stärken,
die den Xymox-Sound Mitte der 80er geprägt haben und diese Band zu einem der
wichtingsten Vertreter der
Wave-szene gemacht haben. Was jedoch viel entscheidender ist: "Out of the
Rain", dem man die Produzententä-
tigkeit von Dave M. Allen (Chameleons, Sisters, Cure) deutlich anhört, ist einfach
ein tolles Stück,
das alles beinhaltet, was einen potentiellen Hit ausmacht - eine sagenhafte
Melodie, die sich schon beim ersten
Hören unauslöschlich in die Gehörgänge gräbt, dynamisches Gittarenspiel, das
den Song zwar vorantreibt,
ihm aber nicht seine verträumte Verspielheit nimmt, und Ronnys emotionaler gesang,
der die Xymox-typische
Melancholie verströmt. Mit einer neuen ``interpretation das Klassikers "Going
Round" findet sich noch weiterer
höchstbemerkenswerter Track auf dieser Maxi, der eine ganz erhebliche Tanzflächentauglichkeit
besitzt, Versprühte
das Original von 1984 den eher spröden Charme einer Demo-aufnhame, kommt die
97er Version mit einer erstaunlichen
elektronischen Härte und leicht verzerrtem Gesang um die Ecke. Das düstere Instrumental
"Flatlands" rundet diesen
Silberling mit elegischen Pianoklängen und schwermütigen Violinenparts äussest
gelungen ab. Leider erst im Herbst erscheint
das neue Album "Hidden Faces", doch ich scheue mich nicht, bereits
jetzt vom Comeback des jahres zu sprechen -
wer sich das entgehen lässt, ist selber Schuld!
*********************
HEADCLOUDS
Martin Thomas
1993 Independent Catalogue (Dance Section )
Having previously released four albums (six if you include their debut mini
album which was only available
in their native Holland), their latest offering 'Headclouds' is an exploration
into inventive groove bound atmospherics.
'Reaching Out' takes a booming bass drum slitched to clanking percussion, a
Japanese kindergarten choir and
Ronny Moorings's trademark mournful vocals. Elsewhere the album explores anthemic
techno overlayered with a luxurious
wash of melancholy. 'January' floats through ambient territories placing Xymox
along side with the Orb et al. The cover of
'Wild is the Wind' de constructs Bowie's version and relocates it in a passionless,
Euro obsessed landscape adding irony where
once existed only hammed up passion. 'Headclouds is by far the best Xymox offering
since their debut 4 AD album Clan of Xymox.
*********************
METAMORPHOSIS
Jon Homer
Oracle 28/10/92
For a number of years now on a couple of different labels, Xymox (Clan of
Xymox as it was) have been producing
challenging and dynamic hi-tech music.
In the process of the band have acquired a small but loyal following. 'Metamorphosis',
a debut album on their
own X-Ult label, could change that. It's their most rounded and complete work
yet.
The sound of Xymox is a multi- faced one ,incorporating as it does elements
of modern dance, industrial groove and
melodic pop structures. 'Metamorphosis' isn't the most instant of albums.
This is an intense place of work that requires some work on the part of the
listener.
Mind you, having said that it must be printed out that album highlights 'Dream
On ' is a gem of a song,
with it's haunting female backing vocals and unforgettable chorus.
Killer stuff.
No empty pop platitudes or directionless dance trance soundscapes for Xymox.
Much of 'Metamorphosis'
is guinuinly experimental and decidedly unsettling. The urban soundscape of
'Revolve' or the epic album
closer 'High and Low' illustrate this best.
No, this isn't just another pop record. This is an album with light and shade,
passion and some pain.
'Metamorphosis' should not dismissed lightly
*
Peter Parhides
Melody Maker November 14 1992
I never thought Xymox would turn into some kind of quasi-Shamen outfit. And
that may be part of the problem.
Everyone thinks of Xymox as an archetypal 4AD band. Probably always will. But
even if they were, then this new coat
suits them beautifully. Resplendent, refreshing and relentless, Xymox's music
is infused with a positivism that's for the first time
made me nostalgic for the days of 'Pacific State' and 'Lightspan'
When 'Awakening' welds all the aforementioned components onto an ultraconventional
pop arrangement,
I'm faced with the bizarre but plausible notion that this might be in the proper,
national Top 10 by spring.
Not least because it's the best New Order song I've heard since "True Faith".
There's something delightfully incongruous
about a bunch of misarable Dutch people embracing equity culture four years
too late : a bit like The Grim Reaper deciding
to leave Hell in order to be in a band with Bill and Tedd.
Most excellent.
*********************
PHOENIX OF MY HEART
Dave Simpson
ARTICLE 12 Melody Maker, May 25 1991
It's two years since we last heard from XYMOX. Since the warm reception
we gave their last release,
the stark, windswept "Twist of Shadows" LP,they've been touring (abroad),
writing, recording, writing some more,
and generally doing wonders for their image as shy, retiring, angsty types
whose disregard for the public
glare matched the obscure shadowy melodramas of their records.
Still, two years is a long time in pop and Xymox have reacted most accordingly.
If they're not quite gone
so far as to radically re invent themselves,
they' ve certainly changed. Their new single, "Phoenix Of My Heart",
exhibits all the qualities we'd come to expect from them-
"Phoenix" marks Xymox's debut as a shiny, radio friendly, dancefloor-primed
big pop beast, tailor made for the raving Nineties.
"Life changes, so does art", explains immaculately coiffured vocalist
Ronny Moorings. "It would have been bad to
be stuck in a rut, so we moved on. Xymox like very much to dance, so we
wanted to make a record that
we would like to dance to ourselves. Basically, there had to be a good song
in there as well as a good beat."
Any old-time fans of the Amsterdam spawned group reeling in horror at the notion
of a (gasp!) baggy
Xymox will do well note to Ronny Moorings' last observation.
"Phoenix Of My Heart" is a very good song. In fact, it's probably
the best thing they've ever done, and their previous
European stylishness is still much to the fore. But, extraordinarily enough,
considering their past penchant for the
moody and miserable, there's humour in there too! Halfway through the song,
Moorings starts singing "Wild Thing"!
"That just came out, completely spontaneously, as we were recording it.
We all fell about laughing at the time,
but I thought, 'Why not?' and so we kept it." "It should certainly
shatter some preconceptions, "comments cropped
blonde Anke, with discernible relish.
The title of the single underlines the changes that have taken place in the
Xymox camp.
"Yes, " Moorings agrees. "Phoenix' seemed such an appropriate
title, like a resurrection."
*********************
PHOENIX
Brett D. Atwood
Gavin Report 26/3/1991
As off-centre as ever, this clan of musicians we call Xymox has returned with
a 'Phoenix' and a faultless offering.
Ethereal and mystical in content, Xymox satisfies the romantic with words of
woe and waiting. The single,'Phoenix of my Heart' begins
with words of innocence and grace and ends unpredictably with a cover of 'Wild
Thing'. Fun , funky and fulfilling. The Patti Smith classic,
Dancing Barefoot gets redone as an up beat dance track. But this is not a cover
album, 'The Shore Down Under', 'Crossing The Water' and
'Wonderland' are examples of the original epic sound that Xymox is known for.
From the firey depths of imagination to the chilled
corners isolation, this 'Phoenix' flies into and out of blind hearts abound.
This is one romance dance you dare not refuse
*
Everett True
Melody maker 1991
Maybe Xymox haven't really been away long enough to justify the title of their
fourth album, but it sees their melodies,
previously the stuff of soft grey soundscapes, now pretty firmly locked into
a techno-grid. They haven't entirely abandoned seamless,
panoramic sweeps that characterized their first couple of releases on 4 AD,
and they still have a firm emotional grip, but now they work
in a less gloomy space. Phoenix is full of surprises, most of them good, with
'Wonderland' breaking fresh ground while
sounding a little like Yello, Ambient Goth House, anyone?
"Crossing The Water" is all sampled orchestral lushness, an Enya-like
aquatic whisper with hidden power,
LOUD WITH LIGHTS OFF for this one.
*********************
TWIST OF SHADOWS
Mark Riva 1989
Xymox were formerly known as Clan of Xymox when on Englands foremost progressive
label 4 AD.
On their new release, they've dispersed of the clan and are now on PolyGram.
Flowering from the Gothic seeds of the early eighties,
they're part of a growing league of visionary musicians such as Peter Murphy,
The Cocteau Twins and the Church that have
blossomed in the desert of mindless commercialism. On this new LP, these inter
planetary imagination agents continue to forge new ground,
creatively casting light on the enigmatic grandeur of the human spirit. On the
LP's first release, 'Obsession' they've experienced that crystal moment,
a minute in time, a pristine reflection when bliss etched the mind: (*...We
stay awake at night with visions so ideal, it's got a hold on me*)
.As shimmering guitar chords echo in a synth mist, melancholic orchestrations
melt into haunting choral chants. Techno-tribal
body beats and pulsating alien bass lines then usher in disillusioned words
of life and love revealed in enlighted isolation.
This and the remaining songs are maps to the gloriously mad labyrinths of life,
crafted with vocals of desperate passion that envelope
you in nocturnal longings of primordial mystery without excessive gloom and
doom. Seriously recommended for moderns who dance and
think simultaneously, this is a direct line that unzips the seams to secret
rooms of wisdom, enter if you dare!
*********************
Blind Hearts
The Stud Brothers 12/12/89
Melody Maker / Single of the Week
FANTASTIC. A superbly erudite , brilliantly successful attempt to slide soul
into latter day psychedelia and
make it all seem like a-Ha covering The Cure. It's just so mindbogglingly clever
and, more cleverly, void of pedantry.
A splendidly downbeat lyric is sung like a hymn for a nation and acoustic guitars
as hollow and monolithic as 'the Sisters' melt
gorgeously into a beat that has more to do with Rare Groove than, well, any
rare groove. We know it was reviewed only two weeks ago
and favourably at that but wasn't mentioned that you have to own a copy. It
shimmers like Europa should.
*
Rockpool,
Pamela Hawke, April 1, 1989
There's something to be said about moving up in the world. At last, the group
known as the most underrated band
on 4 AD emerges from dormancy and achieves major label status. If 'Obsession'
is a hint of things to come, we can no longer expect music
to hang yourself by, but an LP (the upcoming Twist of Shadows) deluged
with melancholy dance-accessibility.
The three versions here are imprinted with a cleaner than usual production quality
in which those formidable
raise-the-hair-on -the-back-of-your-neck Xymox keyboards now compete with stronger
guitars and undaunted drum patterns.
An additional track'In The City', is a moody, lilting hymn a la Sisters of Mercy.
And the bonus track ' Hitchhikers Guide'
a chugging hi- tech instrumental dotted with voice samples, is more in the vein
of their Belgium neighbors. A long awaited and
worthwhile return from the Dutch deliverers of angst.
*********************
MEDUSA
Harry Swift
22/11/86 Sounds
THE SECOND sincerely striving album from the Amsterdam -based group.'Medusa's
overriding achievement is
that every track sounds like the finale to a brooding epic overture. At their
flimsiest they sound like Visage;
when they're good they blend Kraftwerk with Joy Division; in their prime passages
they brush with a sexy breathlessness
against something that is pure, poignant, unadulterated Xymox. 'Medusa' grows
more frightingly strong each time you turn and look at it.
The best time for this is when you're typing up poetry ten minutes after Weetabix.Around
then 'Agonized By Love'
has more real effect than the whole of Simon Bates 'Golden Hour' put together,
and 'Masquerade'could even tackle
'The Four Tops Story' single handedly. Clan of Xymox bisexual and tormented,swaggering
and svelte, distil introspection
and melancholy while you await the flood. It doesn't come; the music teases
with considered and warm restraint. The names, however,
give the game (game? game??) away-'Michelle',' Louise','Lorrentine','Ater The
Call'.....
If 'Vienna' had been an understated classic it might have been the sections
of this which aren't subservient to elegiac
keyboard rivulets and gently militant percussion. Or if the Cure's Charlotte
Sometimes' wasn't so damn easy to like......
Of course Xymox, a clan destined for fierce and freezing plateaus know what
life's all about.
Turn up that collar and lubricate your entry with this.
*
Paul Mathur
Melody Maker January 3 '87
THE second LP from Amsterdam -based Xymox, and one of the best attempts yet
to invest the Goth
sensibility with a little daring. 'Medusa' has all the elements you expect from
these affairs-titles like 'Theme 1', Theme 2',
Lorretine'and 'Michelle' (!) , sleeve by the 23 Envelope bunch, a certain rageless
anonymity-but where it differs
is in its careful harnessing of any indulgence.
As their contempories busy themselves throwing kitchen sinks into mammoth, lumbering
pantomimes, Xymox enchant
with a wispily disciplined force.The instrumentals resist the temptation to
flick every switch on the fairlight and see what happens,
while the vocal numbers cling like rubber to the singers's romantic growl.
Not that Xymox inspire the slightest bit of faith in the future of what once
upon a candle lit time was called Positive Punk.
The whole genre appears prone to fuzzy mysticism and unhealthy vagueness, indeed,
as Xymox show,
the only way forward is to tear up the little black book and convince your friends
that lush beauty need not wear 200 petticoats.
Sleek, efficient, even dramatic, Xymox understand the value of a direct understatement.
'Medusa' is a fine record,
offering a bright flash of hope in these blackout days.
Funny place, Holland
*
GAZ
Xymox return, gracing us with yet another masterpiece, at last the classic 'Louise'
and 'Agonized by Love are out on vinyl
(not before time!). Ronny Moorings powerful vocal chords hit you at full power
on their best track of the album 'Back Door',
the saddest song of the year (though I can't describe why!) ,and 'Michelle'
complete with pseudo '60's feel!
Ronny Moorings mournful voice on the title track brings back memories of their
rendition of 'Stumble and Fall' at
the Croydon Underground' in '85. Buy it! 1986 album of the year (part 2) !
*
Jon Homer
jan 86
For their second 4 AD album, Dutch band Clan of Xymox have taken the most effective
and attractive elements
of their mosaic of sound (as witnessed at intervals on their debut long player)
and produced a work which, at times,
almost achieves the beauty and ambience of label mates The Cocteau Twins.The
playing here glistens and shimmers,
especially on the opener 'Theme 1'. Gone are (most) of the ugly segments of
their music which somewhat marred their overall sound
in the past.'Michelle' on side one, is a good example of the new approach, powerful
and melodic, harnessing the aggression and momentum
that would once have pulled the song into a brutal climax.
Medusa is a vibrant soundscape that really should see Clan of Xymox reach a
larger and more appreciative audience.
Being released in the run up to Christmas can't have helped. Let's hope it now
gets the exposure it deserves.
Medusa is, quite simply, beautiful listening
*
Julie Andrews
THIS IS the route Goth should have taken. Rather than taking the first tank
engine dragsters to heavy metal
they should have followed the sweet scented lane through glades and opium soaked
fields and onto a land of voices from afar.
A land where pan pipes ripple in the distance. A land of boundless beauty and
form, but also a land watched over by some
threatening menace whose dank squirming rustle through every tree, seeps into
every stream. Screams and weak,
vapid sights plead for help. Last gasps of rushing in air and hidden moans float
by. Yet there's also hope. Hope blossoming from every pore,
whispers of triumph, of elation, a soft purring of confidence.
Ephemeral, ethereal spectres rush past, softly wafting a warm gush of air as
they go. Then suddenly you're left alone.
You begin to walk, but the land goes on, almost indefinitely. Just so are Clan
of Xymox. Their music has travelled through an uncharted land
, full of the sinister and the mysterious , but also of the enchanting and the
melancholic.
Voices echo back and forth, at times triumphant ( Louise, Medusa), at times
mournful, sombre (Masquerade) against
the sweeping synths in the background. Drum beats punch their way through a
blanket of noise, then
they are swallowed by a dark cape of melodies.
Fortunately Clan of Xymox chose the right path, they didn't join the Goth ranks
at the gates of hell and heavy metal,
instead they choose to find melody and moods.
Hopefully the rest of the Goth elite will follow Clan of Xymox and start making
inspiring, melodic noises.
Alex : ˆ venir... Virginie / multimania.com
"Album aux sonoritŽs surtout ambient et amosphŽrique, Medusa est moins Žlectronique que les albums suivants. Ds le dŽbut de l'album, on sent une ambiance "planante" avec un morceau instrumental Theme I. La pluaprt des mŽlodies sont trs douces et la voix de Ronny y est comme venant d'ailleurs. Les sons font trs "musique cŽleste" avec parfois des sonoritŽs qui rapellent les chants religieux. C'est l'album du groupe que j'Žcoute le moins, le trouvant un peu trop "planant" ˆ mon gožt et manquant un peu de rythme. Cependant, je l'Žcoute avec plaisir lorsque je veux me dŽtendre aprs une dure journŽe... Les chansons que j'Žcoute principalement sur cet album sont en fait les plus rythmŽes : Michelle, Agonised by Love et Back Door. Cet album reflte le style du groupe ˆ leurs dŽbuts et reste tout de mme un bon album mme si je l'apprŽcie moins que ceux qui suivent."
*********************
CLAN OF XYMOX
Chris Roberts
Melody Maker 1985
WHAT IS this thing called Xymox? Stops irrational depression instantly. Makes you think something great is going to happen today,
or even tomorrow.Xymox, in truth, is the joyous and yet hollow lure of the not quite known. Xymox is also a musical trio
from the Netherlands, 4 AD's first signing for two years. "Clan " via the pertinent Peel medium, will soon be necessarily hip.
Xymox sound as good as we all pretend those love vigilantes New Order do, because we need to believe in something that is truly,
evocatively special. The range and depth of this mysterious record do not exclude arrogant electro dance anthems like
'Stranger' and 'A Day' ; nor do Xymox avoid sentimentality as on 'No Human Can Drown' (if I hear one more helpless,
forlorn voice crying 'hold me', I'll just skweeem!) But when they provoke melancholy without trying, Xymox are magnificent.
With the angular introspection of a Fra Lippo Lippi and grandiose surging undercurrents a la X-Mal,
they convey a mature if not tactile sense of life> And there is hardly anyone who is doing this!
The Machiavellian pop of 'No Words'is the obvious doorway (track of the year?)but wade blindly, too, into the searing
guitar-splayed firefields of 'Cry In The Wind' and 'Stumble and Fall',and thrill(!) to the system clearing, bass bloodied '7th Time'.
Xymox are inspired reflectors; this is a nervous and brilliant record. The frightning thing is, they could be even better. Today the world, tomorrow another one.
*
Jon Homer
Sounds1985
A strange and wonderful debut from 4 AD's first signing since Dead Can Dance.Xymox, who hail from Amsterdam
(where every other person is said to be either a junkie, a drug dealer or hippy, or any combination of the three)
and seem to embrace several major influences. I think Xymox will be played at some of the more intelligent nighteries
while the lyrics are definitely bedsit stuff.
What really is so attractive about Xymox is a kind of atmospheric ability to paint landscapes and mental pictures and
just as you feel safe with these suggested images the rhythm will break or alter and you're lost. There is a definite sense of fear about
Clan of Xymox, from the 23 Envelope cover to the apparent seizure which grips 'Stranger' at the beginning of the second side.
My particular favourite is 'A Day' which suggests so many places, colours feelings and despairs that it is totally awe inspiring.
Soon everyone will be able to pronounce Xymox.