LibertyClan of Xymox |
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The distinctly gothic aura of one of the leading purveyors of the cutting edge, then and again, the Clan returned a year ago after a noticeable absence which left a deep void in the steadily growing new wave and ambient musical environment they helped develop… And so the demand was clear and as if on cue, answering to those whispers in the wind the likes only they, freely moving and of the spiritual sense could be keenly aware of, "Hidden Faces" came out and found the Clan sheltered again in the high-tech home for pioneering artists with a resourceful vision… "Liberty," continues forward in their own fifteen plus year tradition, built upon the still echoing notes of the past and leaning gracefully toward an expansive future. Having incorporated even more "edge" to that which they've once defined, comparisons may quickly be drawn for newcomers to the scene of the monumental beats retraced to the likes of Sisters of Mercy, Love Like Blood, Dreadful Shadows… and delving further back, during their historical days fronting the 4AD label with the likes of Dead Can Dance. "Liberty," the single, provides the narrative, effectively book-ending the four-song EP, leaving off in the massive "Greg Rule Remix," where both they, and all between continue to embrace the pleasantly bitter and highly charged atmosphere amidst the windswept fields that fall under the clouds of gray… Released by Metropolis Records Review by Vinnie Apicella [va85@columbia.edu] |
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Clan of Xymox |
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Was it feast answering the call of famine in some odd respects? After a number of years and several groundbreaking recordings that still generate the bizarre rumblings that emanate from below the surface, Clan of Xymox have finally returned with a long sought live recording that captures them at their spiritually sensuous best. After several minutes of broadening introductory effects that set the onlookers into an unbridled plea for their subsequent emergence-and we may suppose from out of the dark, they, as the object of an evening's united desire, just appeared from the shadows-and the pulsating beats began to thrust their exuberance in all directions while a shuddered moaning could be heard in the distance, still above the near stunned silence of the crowd… "Stranger" had finally arrived. I've never been an expert in the field of gothic/new wave music though I've always admired it. There are those who've led the charmed life and gotten by on their measure of commercial appeal, and then those who've succeeded by remaining cloaked in the stillness of the dark… unearthly toned and astral effects marking their every footstep, in synch with the flooding of the moonlight as it glimmers from beyond the stars... and "Cry in the Wind" is that song which automatically conjures a mindful image that whether you consciously knew it or not, just materializes in your thoughts and makes you feel somehow spiritually uplifted. And yet how does one manage to maintain such an intimate pleasure among the unusual specter of the night-one that's most often compared to sorrow and dread? And that's what I think the real magic is with this Clan. Many of their classic moments are covered here for those who've long demanded them and for those newly introduced to the world of Gothic music merged with tech-heavy beats-"Jasmine & Rose," "Creature," "Out of the Rain," plus many more that don't even begin to tell the story… until it ends on disc two. The "Live" set, recorded last year during their tour of Central and South America brings images of yesterday and today, both swept together in a stunning sea of tranquillity that recalls the beauty of the soon approaching autumnal season. Leave "This World" behind for a moment and gaze confidently into the future… with a total of nineteen songs and two CD-ROM videos spread over a stunning two-disc set, behold all it ever was and all it should ever aspire to be. Clan of Xymox, a reawakening amongst this otherwise cold and silent world… Released by Metropolis Records Review by Vinnie Apicella [va85@columbia.edu] |
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The "Clan" has undergone many transformations since their early '80s inception but one thing has always remained a constant-their ability to deliver soulful, melodic, imaginatively dark gothic music that's stirred the passion in many a follower since their humble beginnings. "Subsequent Pleasures" is a literal return to the Clan's formative days. The still rough around the edges trio, as they were, led by guitarist/vocalist Ronny Moorings, originally recorded these tracks back in 1984 on their own label and intended for an initial run of only 500 copies made available to the public. A complete demo recording for the most part, this eleven track re-release, separated into two, features the original five songs that were "Subsequent Pleasures" including "Going Round," and "Muscoviet Mosquito" which sound every bit as dark and quite impoverished as is expected of a first go for an outfit still getting themselves situated-at a time when the likes of the Cocteau Twins and Dead Can Dance were quickly making their presence felt in the circles of Electro/Goth. "Strange 9 to 9" features a particularly eerie melody line, fascinating yet creepy in the one extreme, yet a beautifully sordid blend of echoing harmonies and haunting vocals. Tracks 6 - 11 feature the Clan's original demo's, significant of their getting their start with the 4AD label back in '85 and the "Clan of Xymox" original release. Beginning with the intriguing somewhat distant sounds of "A Day," and highly electronic beats of "Stumble And Fall" with its weathery rhythmic attributes and fawning harmonic properties, becomes a quickly discovered treasure foretelling all that this band was capable of. Trailing off with "7th Time," the highly synthesized and windswept nature withholds none of the emotive properties we've come to embrace from a band renowned for their musical innovations. Having traveled far since their obscure beginnings as a threesome with a vision for creating unsettling yet catchy melodies under the illuminative effects of a moonlit sky under just enough cloud cover, Clan of Xymox, a 1980's phenomenon though they were prove their best years still lie ahead and here, rediscovered for the first time how it all began… Released by Metropolis Records Review by Vinnie Apicella
[va85@columbia.edu] |