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The Clan is alive! Run through the streets shouting for joy
(or the gothic equivalent there-of). Following up 1999’s brilliant
"Creatures" album, the Clan has released a 4 song
e.p. as a companion to the recently released 2 cd "Live"
set. With founding member Ronny Moorings at the helm, the
clan continues to impress long time listeners, as well as
to draw new fans into their fold. Clan of Xymox continues
to be a powerful music-making machine, taking the gothic genre
ever higher.
"Liberty", the title track, is a 6 minute journey
to the depths of the darkness of the human soul. With a pounding
bass line, akin to the Sisters of Mercy, the song weaves it’s
introspective theme in a deep and reverberant way. "Number
1" sports classic gothic sounds, telling of the one that
got away, but not away. "Play it well, play it tough,
If deaf and dumb and blind with love." A more relaxed
and playful atmosphere seems present in "At Your Mercy",
with its shimmering acoustic guitar textures, but the lyrics
betray that feeling. A classic story of betrayal, "…Mercy"
is a lush masterpiece, filled with haunting keyboards and
bouncing delays. The remix of "Liberty" is well
wrought, with a resonant bass presence, highly capable for
the dance floor, as well as for bedroom listening. Some interesting
additional vocal samples, and finely tuned delays, make this
track a pure joy to hear. Weaving in and out of the atmosphere
are the stark vocals, not blending, but standing out and decrying
their message.
Clan of Xymox continues to be a gothic band in every sense
of the word, but that does not limit them in their quest to
bring new sounds and forms to the often close-minded genre.
This 4 song is a great introduction, or re-introduction, to
the Clan of Xymox for anyone who has not heard their more
recent endeavors. Being a fan from the late 80’s, I am very
pleased with their return, and anxious for more.
- David DeVoe
Track Listing
- Liberty
- Number 1
- At Your Mercy
- Liberty – Greg Rule Remix
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Clan
Of Xymox 
