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Clan Of Xymox: Farewell

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Artist: Clan Of Xymox
Title: Farewell
Format: CD
Label: Metropolis Records,Pandaimonium Records
Distributor: Metropolis Records,Pandaimonium Records
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 "It’s Not Enough", 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.

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