Looking back in time, in 1980 a little record label out of London formed going by the name of 4AD. Subscribing to a unique outlook to music than other labels, their formative years had an impressive list of artists; including Bauhaus, Cocteau Twins, Modern English, Dead Can Dance, Pixes, and Clan of Xymox. A great mix of bands, Clan of Xymox contributed to 4AD’s legacy with their 1985 self-titled debut and 1986’s Medusa. Now many decades ago, change transpired for the band, but what has not shifted is their dedication to their art form.
Out of The Netherlands, many would consider Clan of Xymox pioneers of Gothic Rock and Darkwave music. Not lip service, the band has legitimately been one of the most influential in their realm of music; touring the globe and releasing album after album consistently over the last four decades. Sustaining several lineup changes, at this point, Multi-instrumentalist Ronny Moorings is the only original member. The key songwriter for Clan of Xymox since the ‘90s, Moorings has continued to keep their music exciting, all while surrounding himself with a solid live band; in recent years featuring Mojca Zugna on bass. Mario Usai on guitar/bass, Sean Goebel on keys/synth drums/backing vocals, and Daniel Hoffmann on FX/Sequencer. Worth checking out live, they were even featured as a part of the outstanding Cruel World lineup earlier in 2024, but who is also aware that a new album emerged from Clan of Xymox back on June 7th called Exodus?
Released through Metropolis Records, it is their eighteenth studio record and first since 2021 Limbo. Coming shortly after the X-Odus EP which features remixes by TRAITRS, The Bellwether Syndicate, Principe Valiente, the Exodus album has a dark, drearier feeling you just cannot shake. Perhaps Moorings’ darkest songs in years, there is a distinctive mood set here that long-time fans should thoroughly enjoy.
Consisting of ten tracks, you could say Exodus fits more along the side of Gothic Rock than anything else, but this does not mean there is a lack of Darkwave intertwined. Haunting and doom-laden in many aspects (as heard with “Save Our Souls,” “Fear For A World At War,” and “I Can See Miles Across”), there are also plenty of dark danceable tracks too (such as “The Blood of Christ” “X-Odus,” and “I Always Feel The Same”).
Overall, Exodus has a balance of tempos that is quite enjoyable. Because of the ebbs and flows between slow melancholy melodies and more midtempo ones it is difficult to get bored with what Moorings does here. Furthermore, while the synthesizers are extremely vital to each song, you could also make a case for how perfectly placed the guitars are… and that makes all the difference. In all, Clan of Xymox continues to be a band you can turn to for authentic darkly accented music of the highest quality. That is why Cryptic Rock highly recommends this latest effort, giving Exodus 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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